CONFINED SPACE

Confined space means any enclosed space that has

limited means of access and egress, may have toxic or
flammable contaminates or oxygen deficient
atmosphere and that is not meant for continuous human
occupancy.
 Examples Of Confined Space

Tanks
• Manholes
• Pits
• Tunnels
• Sewers
•
• Pipes
• Boilers
• Furnaces
• Silos
• Ducts
 Potential Hazards in Confined Spaces
 Oxygen Deficiency<19.5% or > 23.5% oxygen concentraon.
Combustibles :-Methane ,Hydrogen, Acetylene, Propane, Gasoline fumes
 Toxic Materials
 Carbon Monoxide
 Hydrogen Sulfide
Welding fumes
Corrosives
Electricity
 Mechanical Hazards
 Mixers
 Crushers
 Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres
Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres
 Flammable Atmospheres
Toxic Atmospheres
 Mechanical and Electrical Hazards
 Temperature Extremes
Engulfment Hazards
 Noise, Smooth/Wet Surfaces, Falling Objects, rats and
snakes.
 Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres
 19.5 % Minimum acceptable oxygen level.
 15 - 19% Decreased ability to work strenuously.
 Impair coordination. Early symptoms.
 12-14% Respiration increases. Poor judgment
 10-12% Respiration increases. Lips blue
 8-10% Mental failure. Fainting. Nausea Unconsciousness. Vomiting
 6-8% 8 minutes- fatal, 6 minutes- 50% fatal 4-5 minutes- possible recovery.
 4-6% Coma in 40 seconds. Death
Oxygen Enriched Atmospheres
• Oxygen level above 23.5%. Causes flammable and combustible
materials to burn violently when ignited.
•Toxic Atmosphere- Hydrogen Sulphide
• • Decomposition of materials like human waste.
• Rotten egg order at low concentrations.
• Possibly no warning at high concentrations.

PPM Effect Time

10 ppm Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
50 – 100 Mild Irritation - eyes, throat 1 Hour
200 – 300 Significant Irritation 1 Hour
500 -700 Unconsciousness, Death 1/2 - 1 Hour
>1000 Unconsciousness, Death Minutes
•Toxic Atmosphere- Carbon Monoxide
•Odorless, Colorless Gas.
•Combustion By-Product.
•Quickly collapse at high concentrations.

PPM Effect Time

35-50 Permissible Exposure Level 8 Hours
200 Slight headache, discomfort 3 Hours
600 Headache, discomfort 1 Hour
1000-2000 Confusion, nausea, headache 2 Hours
1000-2000 Tendency to stagger 1, 1/2 Hours
1000-2000 Slight heart palpitation
30 Min. 2000-2500 Unconsciousness
30 Min.
Mechanical Hazards
Hazards Causes
Trapping, Impact, Material Handling, tools etc.
Entanglement etc.
• Electrical
Hazards Causes Electric
Shock, Electric Burn, Direct contact with exposed wire, Fire &
Explosion. loose connection or short circuit.

Other Hazards
Noise
Amplified due to acoustics within the space.
Damaged hearing, affect communication.
Smooth / Wet Surfaces
Slips and falls. Increased chance of electric shock.
Falling Objects
Topside openings expose workers inside confined space to falling
Testing The Atmosphere
• Verify presence of safe work atmosphere.
• Test all areas of a confined space. Top, Middle, Lower
• Methane is lighter than air.
• Carbon Monoxide is the same as air.
• Hydrogen Sulfide is heavier than air.
• Oxygen Deficiency.
• Testing The Atmosphere- Gas Monitor
• Safe Limit of Gases/Vapour
Gas Safe Concentration for 8 Hrs. Duration
Methane/ Natural Gas 1000 PPM
LPG 1000 PPM
Hydrogen Sulphide 10 PPM
Carbon Di Oxide 5000 PPM
Carbon Mono Oxide 50 PPM
• Points to be Consider before Entry
 First option to correct problems.
 Must be aware of hazards you are trying to correct in the confined space.
 Air intake in a safe location to draw fresh air only.
Continuous ventilation whenever possible.
 Retest the confined space before entry.
Ventilate the Space
• Use mechanical ventilation
Fans, Air horns
• Ventilate at the rate of at least four (4) volumes per hour
• Larger spaces require more ventilation
• Make sure air supply is not contaminated Ventilation air supply must be from
fresh air uncontaminated with flammables, toxins, etc.
Required Elements:
• Written Program (Procedure & Work Permit)
• Space Specific Entry Procedures Training
• Duties of Authorized Entrants
• Duties of Attendants
• Duties of Entry Supervisors
• Rescue and Emergency Services
• Employee Participation
• Procedure Required For Confined Space Entry Procedure
Procedure:-
Isolate the space
Ventilate the space
Conduct TBT
Complete permit
Test the atmosphere
Enter the space
 Isolate the Space from all hazards
Close Valves
Double block & bleed, or Blank flange
Empty the Space
Depressurize, vent & drain
Lockout/Tag out Equipment
Electrical sources
Rotating/reciprocating parts
Hazardous materials
Clean residue from the space
 Pre-entry Consideration
Permit - Confined space permit must include;-
 Identification of job, location and hazards
 Work commencement date
 Permit revalidation
 Frequency of Gas monitoring
 All isolation required and other conditions needed
 Signature of all authorize persons
 A copy of the approved permit must be maintained at the
work location
 ISOLATION

Isolation
WITH BLIND

BLINDING

The confined space must be isolated from all potential

dangers such as ingress of fumes by blinding,

disconnecting or blanking all lines connected to the confined space.

A full permit to work system must be used to record the location

and types of isolation, and the hazards being guarded against.

Ignition source
• All possible sources of ignition must be
removed from the work area.
• Gas cylinders must NEVER be placed
INSIDE any confined space.

Electrical / Hydraulic equipment

• Any electrical/hydraulic driven equipment must be de energized/depressurized
• Isolation must tagged/locked out
Heat stress
• Work area must either be ventilated, cooled or;
Two crews be assigned for alternate rest periods

Radiation
• Every source of radiation must either be eliminated or
Shielded to avoid radioactive contamination of the workplace
Testing and Monitoring
• All confined spaces must tested for O2 and other gas before entry
• At intervals. Frequency must be documented on permit
• Testing, documentation to be done by Qualified Gas Tester
• Personnel will only be permitted when readings are within limits.
Always test the
air at various levels
to be sure that the
entire space is safe.

Good Air

Good air near Poor Air

the opening
does NOT mean
there is good air
at the bottom! Deadly Air
Testing and Monitoring
Check for Oxygen Content:
At least 19.5% and less than 23.5%
Check for Combustibles:
Must be less than 10% of its LEL
Check for Toxic Gasses:
Most commonly Carbon Monoxide (PEL <35 ppm)
or any other hazardous materials as
determined by the use of the space

WARNING :- Any time a limit is exceeded, no matter what is

the reason, all personnel shall immediately exit the space, and no one shall
enter until atmospheric conditions are returned to safe levels.
Ventilation
where necessary must be by either natural or mechanical
means
In case of flammable and toxic vapors
the space will be force ventilated for 24hrs
prior to entry Such equipment must be properly
checked to be free of contaminants
VENTILATION
Personal Protective Equipment
• All necessary PPE must be worn prior to entry
and shall be mandatory such Full body harness with tag line
and SCBA if necessary.
Fire Protection
• Appropriate fire prevention measures
must be in place
• All combustible materials must be
removed from the work area.
Illumination
• Extra Low Voltage (ELV) lighting (less than 50 volts) power supply coming from
Step Down Transformer
• Battery powered lighting
• Hand held torches
• Chemical light stick
• Protective guards on lights/bulbs
to prevent breakage
110~220v mobile or fixed lighting fixtures can only be used subject to the
following condition;
• When low voltage is unable to illuminate work area properly
• Full isolation transformer with ELCB
Electrical hand held tools & equipment:
Shall conform to the following:-
• Full isolation step-down transformer
• Battery operated

Special considerations :-
• Explosion proof lighting, torches, tools & equipment are to be used in potentially
flammable areas
• All cables are to be run through alternate opening and tied up
• If no alternate, use hand held torches
• All transformers should be protected

Note: All transformers, ELCBs must remain outside the confined space
Access & Egress
Adequate access to and egress from all confined spaces will be provided:
• Ladders
• Scaffold
Selection of Personnel
• All personnel selected to enter any
confined environment must be
Sign
trained including the here

attendant/hole watch
• They must be conversant with
the operation of all emergency equipment.
• Permit To Work
• HSE supervisor must be satisfied that the gas test revealed no presence
of combustible/toxic gas
• Every entry into a confined space must be by permit to work system
• Permit issuer must satisfied that all necessary precautions have been
taken and provisions made to secure the safety of those entering the
confined space before signing the PTW
• The signed PTW thus gives an assurance that work may safely take
place CONFINED
SPACE
ENTRY
PERMIT

DANGER
CONFINED
SPACE PERMIT
REQUIRED
• oxygen content shall be between >19.5% and <23.5%
• All other safety provisions such as hole watch, lifelines, adequate
ventilation, communication, standby rescue equipment shall be
provided.
• All personnel must attend the required training program, fully
understood the entire confined space entry procedure
• Other permit may be needed in working inside confined space (e.g. Hot
work Permit, Cold work permit, etc…)
• Rescue Equipment
• Every person entering the confined space wearing breathing
apparatus must also wear a safety harness
• The harness must be attached to a life line
• Life line is attended to by a person outside the confined pace
• The arrangements for the rescue of persons in the event of an emergency need to
be suitable and sufficient.
• The arrangements should be in place before any persons enter or work in a
confined space
• If a person is injured in a confined space which has been certified safe to enter
without respiratory protection, an entry can be made to rescue and remove them
straight away.
Rescue
 Responsibilities
Attendants/hole watch
• Checking personnel in/out of confined space.
• To be alert always, never leaving duty post until work is completed
• Maintaining contact (visual, verbal, tag line, whistle).
• Establish and agree with personnel, an emergency signal for evacuation
• Ability to summon help through radio, phone for rescue, medical help Rescue
Tripod

• To assist physically any time when necessary

• To be fully aware that his entry is not permitted whatsoever First Aid kit &
Fire Extinguisher SCBA

Tag line
• To be familiar with the use of self contained breathing apparatus,
Ventilator
First aid kit & other rescue equipment on standby
Entrants:
• To assure that the space has been adequately ventilated, isolated, emptied, or otherwise made
safe for entry.
• To immediately exit a space, without question, upon word of the attendant, no matter what
the reason.
• To follow all safety rules and procedures that apply to the job.
• To be familiar with the work to be performed and the procedures that apply to the job.
• To use the appropriate PPE whenever necessary.
• Must be completed the training required prior to entry.
Supervisor:
• To assure adequate protection is provided to the entrants by verifying adequate
lockout/tag out and that all hazards are securely isolated
• To support attendant’s authority in controlling access to a confined space
• To verify that all personnel have exited prior to closing the space
• To assure that all personnel involved are aware of the hazards associated with the
space
• Health & safety requirements
• Familiar with the Confined Space Entry Procedure and Emergency Plan
• Rescue Services are available prior to entry
• Summary
Safety in a confined space can only be achieved by;

• Use of a permit to work system

• Proper implementation of
Confined Space Procedure

• Hazards are identified and corrected

• Proper tools & Equipment is utilized
• Proper Supervision
PREPARED BY:- CHANDAN KUMAR SHARMA