Open HSI menu
Subscribe Login

Home / Articles and Press Releases / Article / Confined Space Entry Requirements for Employers

CATEGORIES

  • Latest Issue
  • Above The Neck Protection
  • Chemical Protection
  • Confined Space
  • Construction
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Energy, Oil and Mining Industries
  • Eye Protection
  • Fall Protection
  • Gas Detection
  • Hand Protection
  • Hazardous and Explosive Atmospheres
  • Health and Safety Awareness
  • Hearing Protection
  • Heat and Flame
  • Lighting and ATEX
  • Noise Monitoring
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Respiratory Protection
  • Safety Footwear
  • Safety Technology
  • Safety Training
  • Slips, Trips and Falls
  • Wellbeing at Work
  • Working at Height
  • Working Rights

MORE

  • Press Releases
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Magazines

COMPANY

  • About
  • Advertising
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Open HSI menu
Subscribe

Home / Articles and Press Releases / Article / Confined Space Entry Requirements for Employers

CATEGORIES

  • Latest Issue
  • Above The Neck Protection
  • Chemical Protection
  • Confined Space
  • Construction
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Energy, Oil and Mining Industries
  • Eye Protection
  • Fall Protection
  • Gas Detection
  • Hand Protection
  • Hazardous and Explosive Atmospheres
  • Health and Safety Awareness
  • Hearing Protection
  • Heat and Flame
  • Lighting and ATEX
  • Noise Monitoring
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Respiratory Protection
  • Safety Footwear
  • Safety Technology
  • Safety Training
  • Slips, Trips and Falls
  • Wellbeing at Work
  • Working at Height
  • Working Rights

MORE

  • Press Releases
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Magazines

COMPANY

  • About
  • Advertising
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

CATEGORIES

  • Article
  • Press Release
  • Above The Neck Protection
  • Chemical Protection
  • Confined Space
  • Construction
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Energy, Oil and Mining Industries
  • Eye Protection
  • Fall Protection
  • Gas Detection
  • Hand Protection
  • Hazardous and Explosive Atmospheres
  • Health and Safety Awareness
  • Hearing Protection
  • Heat and Flame
  • Lighting and ATEX
  • Noise Monitoring
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Respiratory Protection
  • Safety Footwear
  • Safety Technology
  • Safety Training
  • Slips, Trips and Falls
  • Wellbeing at Work
  • White Papers
  • Working at Height
  • Working Rights

Article

Confined Space Entry Requirements for Employers

By Pat McLoughlin

| Read Bio

Published: January 07th, 2010

Share this article

Covered in this article:

  • Duty of an employer
  • Safe systems of work

What constitutes ‘A Confined Space’?

Generally speaking, they are spaces where there is a risk of serious injury or death due to the size, access to, and content of the space including dangerous conditions such as a lack of oxygen, or gas from hazardous substances. However, it’s not possible to categorise confined spaces at work completely. For example, certain locations can become a confined space temporarily, when work or modifications are being carried out. Here is a list of some of the more common confined spaces:

  • Storage tanks
  • Enclosed drains and sewers
  • Silos
  • Ductwork
  • Vats
  • Reaction vessels
  • Combustion chambers in furnaces
  • Unventilated or poorly ventilated rooms
  • Open-topped chambers

What are the dangers that may arise?

A lack of oxygen which can suddenly occur for several reasons, for example where there is a reaction between some soils and the oxygen in the atmosphere.

Action of groundwater on chalk and limestone can produce carbon dioxide and displace normal air.

Poisonous gases and liquids can build up in underground work areas or can enter via connecting pipe work or through leaks in things like pits and trenches.

Freeflowing Solids can dislodge when disturbed, bringing a multitude of possible problems such as crushing or trapping personnel, as well as cutting off oxygen supplies or leading to flooding of the area. The obvious risks of fire and explosion also have to be considered.

Consider the effect of Confined Space Entry on workers

Working in excessively hot (or sometimes excessively cold) temperatures can cause physical and mental stress, as well as dangerous changes in body temperature, and so requires a strict health and safety provision.

The working temperatures need to be monitored at all times with adequate thermometers to ensure safe working environments. The management must make sure that all staff wear any necessary safety protection when it comes to clothing and equipment, such as breathing apparatus, for example. The length of time a worker can continually work within the confined space must also be managed properly, so in order to prevent problems like heat exhaustion, job rotation may be required.

“identification of precautions to be taken is one thing, but putting it into practice is another – which must be done through training, assessment and communication”

Duty of an employer

When it comes to working in confined spaces, the management must identify any hazards present, assess the risks posed by them, put procedures in place and take any necessary precautionary measures to protect the workforce. All of these considerations will usually be determined by the following:

  • What the work entails
  • The environment in which it is carried out
  • The materials and tools that are to be used alongside the appropriate equipment such as gas detection equipment and specific PPE, such as breathing apparatus, protective clothing such as boots, chemical suits, glasses
  • All of this equipment will need to conform to internationally recognised standards e.g. CE, ANSI, ATEX
  • The competency and suitability of those employed to carry out the work will include their mental and physical suitability, as well as specific training in PTW, PPE to be used, gas monitors plus any escape and resuscitation equipment
  • Procedures for emergency rescue

If the results of the risk assessment identify any possibility of serious injury or stress from working in the confined space, then confined spaces precautions must be taken. Let us look at best practice requirements:

Avoid entry to confined spaces, for example by doing the work from outside: You need to check if the work can be done another way. Better planning could reduce the need for confined space working and the duration of work and number of workers exposed.

Also, ask yourself if the work is really necessary. Perhaps you could modify the confined space itself, so that entry is not necessary. Failing that, the work could be done from outside, for example blockages in silos could be cleaned by use of remotely operated rotating flail devices, vibrators or air purgers.

Safe systems of work

If, after full consideration of the above requirements, entry into a confined space cannot be avoided, make sure a safe system has been put in place before sending any workers inside the space. The results of your risk assessment will identify the necessary precautions to be taken.

Identification of precautions to be taken is one thing, but putting it into practice is another – which must be done through training, assessment and communication.

Try the following checklist to help prepare a safe system:

  • Appoint a supervisor: Supervisors should be given responsibility to ensure that the necessary precautions are taken and to check safety at each stage. They, or a suitably competent stand-by person, will need to remain present while the work in the confined space is underway in case of emergency
  • Those involved: Check the person is suitable for the work. Do they have sufficient experience of the type of work to be carried out – and have they received proper training, as well as being physically fit enough?
  • Isolation of equipment: Isolation of mechanical and electrical equipment is essential, otherwise it could operate or be operated inadvertently. The other source of danger could come from gas or fumes entering the space, so isolation of pipework needs to be made and checked
  • Cleaning before entry: Sometimes fumes can develop from residues of substance while the essential work is being done
  • Check the size of the entrance: Bear in mind that workers wearing all the necessary protective equipment will need to be able to get through into the confined workspace – and also get out in case of emergency
  • Provide ventilation: Mechanical ventilation may be necessary if you are unable to increase the number of openings to the confined space to improve airflow. An adequate supply of fresh air is essential, especially where portable gas cylinders and diesel-fuelled equipment are used inside the space. Best practice requires that where mechanical ventilation is provided, a suitable audio and visual warning system must be in place, which warns those present of any failure. Petrol-fuelled engines in confined spaces should never be allowed, due to carbon monoxide emissions
  • Air testing: Where the risk assessment indicates that conditions may change, or as a further precaution, continuous monitoring of the air may be necessary. Such monitoring equipment might be a single or multiple gas detector, depending upon the circumstances identified by the risk assessment. Where there are multiple personnel working in the area, an advanced wireless integrated system can provide immediate notification of personnel in distress AND provide a means to send an evacuation signal to all personnel
  • Special tools and lighting: Provision of non-sparking tools and specially protected lighting, for example reduced voltage or in extreme cases intrinsically safe equipment, is essential in confined spaces where potentially explosive atmospheres are possible. Precautions need to be taken to prevent electric shock, especially in metal tanks where the danger is even greater. To avoid the risk of trailing cables becoming entangled, battery operated lamps of a type approved for the environment likely to be present are preferred for inspection purposes, and for temporary general illumination. Where the work is of longer duration, then portable lamps and the trailing cables should operate at low voltage and be of a type approved for the environment. Any other electrically driven power tools should be supplied from a 110 volt CTE transformer with a high sensitivity (30 mA or less) residual current device. Likewise, all metal tools will need to be sparkproof
  • Breathing apparatus provision: If the air inside the space can’t be made fit to breathe due to gas, fume or vapour, NEVER try to ‘sweeten’ the air with oxygen as this can greatly increase the risk of a fire or explosion. There are two main types of breathing apparatus; line fed and self contained breathing apparatus

     

    • Compressed Air Line or Line Fed breathing apparatus consists of an air line from a compressed air source to a breathing tube attached to a facepiece on the operative. The breathing tube normally connects with either a half facepiece, a full facepiece, hood or helmet. The choice is dictated by the possible routes of entry of the hazard and the extent of the hazard. For example, a half piece mask is no good if there is another potential route of entry due to absorption via the eyes. The flow of air to the half and full face piece types may be either continuous or controlled by a demand valve. Where the air supply is also used in the industry process, the compressor should be capable of supplying 170 litres/minute. The continuous flow of air creates a positive pressure inside the facepiece or helmet, which gives greater protection than a demand-type respirator. It also reduces fogging and cools the wearer’s face. The flow rate can be adjusted by a belt-mounted regulator
    • Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) lets the wearer work without the restriction of a hose or air line in an atmosphere that is contaminated and/or deficient in oxygen. This type of breathing apparatus is suitable for short-term routine work and emergency use. These devices provide air from a source carried by the wearer without unduly impeding the wearer, and can be used in extremes of temperature. The most widely used SCBA is a compressed air open circuit device with a compressed air cylinder, an air line to a demand regulator, and a facepiece.

“ropes, harnesses, fall arrest equipment, lifelines and winches used in connection with confined space entry, should be suitable for the purposes for which they are intended”

These can be supplied in a positive or negative-pressure mode. For routine work, the air supply may last in excess of 15 minutes, although for escape use it may be less depending on cylinder size. Within the Eurpean Union (EU) SCBA must comply with the requirements of the European Standard EN 137 : 2006

Preparing emergency arrangements

Workers with emergency rescue responsibilities will need additional specialised training. All confined space training should include some hands-on training with the safety equipment. Rescue procedures should be practiced frequently so there is a high level of proficiency. Employers should keep records of all confined spaces training including refresher courses.

It is recommended that the retrieval system be capable of rescuing the victim without the need for other persons to enter the confined space. Safe access and egress must be provided, in other words, appropriate fall protection and rescue equipment should be used from the time the person enters the space until exiting the space.

Ropes, harnesses, fall arrest gear, lifelines and winches used in connection with confined space entry or, emergency rescue, should be suitable for the purposes for which they are intended, and account taken of appropriate recognised standards where these exist.

Equipment used for lifting, such as ropes, harnesses, lifelines, rings, shackles and carabiners, will have a test certificate and safe working load when purchased. It is important to ensure they are not further tested (as this could weaken them). If they become damaged, they should be scrapped.

Keeping records

The record of each thorough examination and test of equipment will normally include:

  • The name and address of employer or other person responsible for that equipment
  • Particulars of the equipment and its distinguishing number or mark, together with a description and the name of the maker
  • The date of the examination and the name and signature of the person carrying out the examination
  • The condition of the equipment and any defects found
  • A brief description of any remedial action

Records of the examination and equipment testing should be kept for a minimum of five years. Man-riding winches and fall arrest systems should be tested every six months.

European CEN standards and requirements

In the European Union there are specific codes (standards) for fall arrest and rescue equipment:

  • EN 341 Descender devices
  • EN 353 Guided type fall arresters
  • EN 354 Restraint Lanyards
  • EN 355 Energy absorbers
  • EN 358 Belts for work positioning and restraint and lanyards for work positioning
  • EN 360 Retractable type fall arresters (Self Retracting Lifelines)
  • EN 361 Full body harnesses
  • EN 362 Connectors
  • EN 363 Fall arrest systems
  • EN 364 Test methods
  • EN 365 General requirements for instructions for use, maintenance, periodic examination, repairs, labelling and packaging
  • EN 795 Anchor devices. Requirements and testing
  • EN 813 Sit harnesses
  • EN 1496 Rescue lifting devices
  • EN 1497 Rescue harnesses
  • EN 1498 Rescue loops

There are other recognised international standards. For example, in Australia, the selection of the type of safety harness or safety line or rescue line should be in accordance with Australian Standard AS 2626.

Rescue harnesses: Lifelines attached to harnesses should be able to run back to a point outside the confined space, which in turn is affixed to a suitable tripod/lifting device to allow safe and speedy evacuation should it be required. There are lots of different types of harnesses, and it is important to understand that they are not all?suitable for confined space rescue. Waist belts or chest harnesses should on no account be used for confined space access or rescue situations. They may be used for restraint purposes to prevent a person from reaching a place where the risk of fall exists.

Communications: An adequate communications system is essential between people inside and outside the space. This will also be used to summon help in case of emergency, obviously taking into account such things as the risk of explosion. Portable communications equipment for confined space work falls into two categories: ‘wireless’ and ‘wired’. For confined space and tunnel working there are four main options:

  1. Mobile radio using free space propagation, possibly with repeaters
  2. Mobile radio using leaky feeder guided propagation
  3. Hard-wired point to point intercom systems
  4. Low frequency wire-guided inductive communication systems

A further factor is the use of voice operated transmission switching (VOX). In many noisy environments this may either require continuous adjustment or, worse still, may cause channel lock-out in a single channel system. Often, the most reliable solution under these circumstances is to adopt press-to-talk only operation.

Raising the alarm: Place a trained person outside in order to keep watch, communicate, raise the alarm and take charge of rescue procedures.

Work permit: Some sort of control system, such as a permit to work, (PTW), will be required to ensure a formal check is undertaken to ensure all elements are in place before people are allowed to enter or work in the confined space. It would include features such as clear identification, provision for ensuring contractors and others concerned are trained, instructed, monitored and audited, in order to ensure that the system works as intended.

Shut down: In order to prevent additional harm to both the rescuer and those in need of rescue, it may be necessary to shut down adjacent plant before attempting an emergency rescue.

First aid procedures: Suitable first aid equipment and facilities must be available for the hazards identified in the risk assessment and a suitable number of competent and trained first-aiders need to be available. If resuscitation has been identified as a likely requirement by the risk assessment, then provision will need to be made for training in use of resuscitation equipment which might include defibrillation and oxygen.

Local emergency services: Ask yourselves exactly how the local emergency services (fire brigade for example) are made aware of what you are doing in advance of any work and therefore, should there be an incident, how will you and they react most efficiently to effect any rescue on their arrival?

Importance of Training

There is so much more contained within Confined Spaces best practice than can be covered here, hence the importance of proper training and assessment in this field. Many organisations like British Safety Services offer professional and management level training from recognised awarding bodies including the National Examinations Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH). The NEBOSH National General Certificate and National Diploma provide an excellent qualification in health and safety, however many companies would benefit from a bespoke in-house training course relevant to their own organisation. This would allow the training to cover specific hazard identification, risk assessments, how to carry out the work activities in a safe manner, developing communications strategies and emergency procedures. People trained and prepared for working in confined spaces will help reduce the level of risk in this hazardous environment.

Published: 01st Jul 2010 in Health and Safety International

Share this article

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pat McLoughlin

Pat McLoughlin has more than 27 years experience in health and safety, developed after a practical grounding of 10 years in Engineering at Land Rover. He was with ROSPA for six years before forming British Safety Services in the Sultanate of Oman, with his business partner Steve Burke. Today, Pat is involved in providing H&S training and consultancy, from medium sized businesses through to multi national corporations. Pat has advised boards of Directors in the strategic direction of their health and safety policies and procedures.

Connect with Pat McLoughlin

Visit Website

POPULAR POSTS BY Pat McLoughlin

Istock 471508951 0 179 1385 2460 - hsi -

Respiratory Protection

Respiratory Safety Guide for All Industries

Article

The Unpredictable Nature of Oil Exploration

Article

The Importance of Workwear

- hsi -

Article

The Power of Gloves

Article

Plankton To Petrol Pump

Article

Height Safety

Get email updates

Sign up for the HSI newsletter

Keep up-to-date through the power of email with Europe's largest audited safety magazine - delivering the latest news and products to satisfy all your occupational safety needs.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

FEATURED ARTICLES

Article

 Thameslink Traffic Management Programme

Press Release

‘Working At Height’ Remains Biggest Danger

Press Release

“Uncertainty and Ignorance” Risks More Asbestos Deaths

Advertisement

SOCIAL MEDIA

HSI on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/HSIMagazine/

Advertisement

SOCIAL MEDIA

HSI on Twitter

hsimagazine HSI Magazine @hsimagazine ·
11h

👀 Did you spot Alphasense featured on the inside front cover of February's issue?

Visit HSI website and subscribe today, from as little as £30 a year, to receive your digital or print magazine!
https://www.hsimagazine.com/subscribe/#subscription-columns

#hsimagazine #alphasense #gassensing #magazine #subscribe

Reply on Twitter 1622958363981258756 Retweet on Twitter 1622958363981258756 Like on Twitter 1622958363981258756 Twitter 1622958363981258756

Advertisement

SUBSCRIBE

Stay up to date with our newsletter

    • Keep up-to-date with Europe’s largest audited safety magazine

 

    • Delivering the latest news and products to satisfy all your occupational safety needs

 

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Subscribe

SUBSCRIBE TO HSI MAGAZINE

5 reasons to subscribe to our digital and print package

  • Stay up to date from anywhere in the world, with instant access to the latest issue straight from your phone, tablet or laptop.
  • Trust that you’re getting the best content from our range of internationally accredited authors.
  • Get full access to our archives and see how occupational safety has evolved with us over the years.
  • Enjoy our monthly newsletter curated with up-to-the-minute news and a selection of editor’s top picks.
  • Hot off the press and straight to your door – look forward to your own glossy copy of HSI, delivered five times a year
Subscribe View Subscription levels

STAY SAFE & INFORMED

Subscribe to the best health & safety articles, news, products and regulations

Find out more

Stay up to date with our newsletter

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

ABOUT

  • About HSI International
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

YOUR ACCOUNT

Sign In Register Account Subscribe to HSI

RESOURCES

Request Media Pack

CONNECT

ACCREDITATIONS

Copyright Bay Publishing 2023. All Rights reserved.

Designed & Built by:
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT