Branch
Report: 7th
February 2007
Confined Spaces
A presentation was given to
the branch by members of the Mines Rescue station at Porth this was a
detailed presentation dealing with all of the issues working in or around
confined spaces.
The Safe Working in Confined
Spaces Approved Code of Practice Regulations and Guidance gives practical
advice on complying with the Regulations and designing Safe Systems of
Work.
Follow the guidance in the
A.C.O.P. when considering working in confined Spaces.
The Confined Spaces
Regulations 1997 apply to all premises and work situations subject to the
Health & Safety at Work Act, with the exception of diving operations, and
below ground in a mine.
The Regulations do not apply
to the master or crew of a sea-going ship in respect of the normal
shipboard activities carried out solely by the ship's crew under the
direction of the master. However they do apply where an operation involves
a ship's crew and shoreside workers working together aboard ship.
Definition
Confined space has two defining features :
Firstly, it is a place which
is substantially (though not always entirely) enclosed and, Secondly,
there will be a reasonable foreseeable risk
of death or serious injury from
hazardous substances or dangerous conditions (eg lack of oxygen).
Some confined spaces are
fairly easy to identify, for example, silos, bins, hoppers and tanks.
Others less so, for example, ducts, tunnels, sumps, interiors of machines
or plant.
Requirements
The Confined Spaces
Regulations 1997 require employers to:
-
Avoid entry to confined
spaces, if it is reasonably practicable, for example by doing work from
outside.
-
Follow a safe system of
work if entry to a confined space is unavoidable
-
Put in place adequate
emergency arrangements before work starts - this should also safeguard
rescuers if necessary.
Risk Assessment
Ensure that before anybody
enters a confined space on any site for which he has responsibility that a
suitable and sufficient risk assessment is carried out by a competent
person.
The priority when carrying
out the risk assessment is to identify the measures needed so that the
work in confined spaces can be avoided.
If it is not reasonably
practicable to prevent work in the confined space, the assessment will
need to identify the risks to those entering or working nearby.
A competent person will be
someone with sufficient experience of, and familiarity with, the relevant
processes, plant and equipment so that they understand the risks involved
and can devise the necessary precautions.
Prevent the Need for Entry
Ensure that no person shall enter or work inside a confined
space where it is reasonably practicable to undertake the work without
entering the space. This applies to both employees and contractors.
In many cases it will involve modifying working practices.
Design of Plant
Ensure that when purchasing,
constructing or modifying plant that they ensure the designer / supplier
as far as is reasonably practicable has eliminated (or if this is not
possible, minimised) the need to enter a confined space for normal
working, cleaning, inspection or maintenance work.
Safe Systems of Work
Where it is not reasonably
practicable to avoid entering a confined space to undertake work, ensure
that a safe system work is used
In producing the safe system
of work, give priority to eliminating the sources of danger before
deciding what precautions are needed for entry
The person entering the
confined space should also contribute to the risk assessment and must
fully understand and agree with the Safe Working Practice
Ensure that a permit to work
procedure is always used as part of the safe system of work.
Emergency Procedure
Ensure that adequate
emergency arrangements are in place before anybody enters a confined
space.
The risk assessment should
have identified the risks and likely nature of an emergency rescue
The rescue equipment
provided must be appropriate to the likely emergencies identified. The
minimum number of people to be available to deal with the emergency is to
be specified on the permit to work
The precautions necessary to
protect the rescuers should be considered during the risk assessment.
A first-aider or appointed
person must be available as part of the emergency procedure to administer
first-aid including respiratory and circulatory resuscitation procedures.
Confined Space Flowchart
Is there a hazard?
Moving
Machinery Engulfment
Toxic Atmosphere Fire/Explosion Oxygen Deprivation
