Confined Spaces. This procedure applies to all workers of the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle (DoMN).

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1 Purpose To provide guidance in controlling the risks associated with confined spaces including identifying confined spaces, working in a confined space and issuing confined space entry permits. Scope This procedure applies to all workers of the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle (DoMN). Definitions and Terms Term Competent Person Confined Space DoMN Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) Responsibilities Position Definition A person who has acquired the appropriate knowledge and skills to carry out a task through training, qualification or experience. Means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that: Is not designed or intended primarily to be occupied by a person; and Is, or is designed or intended to be, at normal atmospheric pressure while any person is in the space; and Is or is likely to be a risk to health and safety from: o An atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level; or o o o Contaminants, including airborne gases, vapours and dusts, that may cause injury from fire or explosion; or Harmful concentrations of any airborne contaminants; or Engulfment. Diocese of Maitland Newcastle Documentation that gives specific instructions on how to safely perform a work related task, or operate a piece of plant or equipment. Responsibilities Manager Engage a competent external provider to undertake a confined space survey, develop a Confined Space Register and document Confined Space Risk Assessments for each DoMN site; Maintaining the site Confined Space Register and Confined Space Risk Assessments; Signpost confined spaces wherever practicable; Review the contractor SWMS, risk assessment, control measures and emergency procedure for confined space entry; Ensure contractors have undertaken confined space training prior to allowing entry to a confined space; Review, approval and sign off on Confined Space Entry Permits; Undergo training in management and issue of confined space entry permits; and Ensure no person enters a confined space without an entry permit. Minor Revision: Nov 2017 Controlled copy uncontrolled on printing Page 1 of 6

2 Position Responsibilities Contractor workers Have appropriate confined space entry procedures, risk assessments and SWMS that meet DoMN and legislative requirements; Ensure workers have completed appropriate confined space entry training; Ensure any plant or service connected to the confined space is isolated prior to entry; Ensure appropriate atmospheric testing prior to entry and monitoring during entry to ensure the confined space has a safe oxygen level; Ensure a stand-by person is present outside the confined space when any workers is inside the confined space; Ensure safety equipment including personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected, suitable and maintained in a proper working order; and Establish communication and emergency procedures including equipment for rescue, first aid appropriate to the work being conducted in the confined space and training for workers to enact a rescue. DoMN worker DoMN workers are not permitted to enter confined spaces at any time. Procedure 1. Confined Space Identification A competent person shall conduct a confined space survey to identify all confined spaces at each DoMN site and develop a Confined Space Register to be maintained by the Manager or delegated person. 2. Confined Space Signage and Security DoMN shall ensure that wherever practicable, entry points to confined spaces shall be marked with signage i.e. Danger Confined Space Entry By Permit Only. Signs shall be of suitable size and clearly visible to any person who may attempt to enter the confined space. See example below. Where practicable, entry points into confined spaces shall be secured to prevent entry of unauthorised personnel. Signage must be erected next to the confined space entry point when works are being undertaken within the confined space. Minor Revision: Nov 2017 Controlled copy uncontrolled on printing Page 2 of 6

3 3. Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment The competent external provider shall identify all hazards associated with each type of confined space, document a risk assessment for each type of confined space and identify control measures to ensure the safety of workers. The risk assessments will be maintained by the Manager and provided to any worker planning to undertake works in a confined space. Contractors must provide their own confined space risk assessment relevant to the confined space in which the works are to be undertaken prior to entering the confined space. Risk assessments must consider the relevant hazards associated with both the confined space entry, the works to be conducted within the confined space and appropriate control measures to eliminate or minimise those risks. Risk assessments should address the following hazards (but not be limited to): Restricted entry or exit (i.e. small entrances and exits, locations difficult to access); Harmful airborne contaminants and/or unsafe oxygen level; Build-up of organic vapours to explosive limits; Engulfment (i.e. immersed by material which may result in asphyxiation); Uncontrolled introduction of substances (e.g. steam, water, gases, solids); Biological hazards (i.e. contact with micro-organisms); Electrical hazards; Contact with hazardous chemicals or substances; Noise generated at levels above 85dB(A); Hazardous manual tasks; Radiation (ionising and non-ionising); Environmental hazards (e.g. heat or cold stress; slips, trips and falls; lighting; etc.); and Hazards outside the space e.g. traffic, hot work etc. 4. Confined Space Risk Controls Wherever possible, the need to work in a confined space should be eliminated and work carried out from outside the space. For example, lifting a sump pump out of a pit rather than entering the pit to conduct maintenance. Where elimination is not possible, a safe system of work with specific control measures must be implemented to manage the risks and a Confined Space Entry Permit must be issued prior to entry Isolation of Services Potentially hazardous services (e.g. contaminants, energy, equipment, electricity etc.) must be isolated prior to workers entering the confined space to prevent: Introduction of contaminants through piping, ducts vents, drains, conveyors, etc; Activation or energising of machinery; Release of stored energy in plant; and Inadvertent use of electrical equipment Atmospheric Testing Initial atmospheric testing and monitoring of the confined space atmosphere is to be conducted. A competent person must undertake the testing for: Minor Revision: Nov 2017 Controlled copy uncontrolled on printing Page 3 of 6

4 Oxygen content; Airborne concentration of flammable contaminants; and Airborne concentration of potentially harmful contaminants. Note: Initial testing should be done from outside the confined space using a sample probe and/or portable gas detection device. Continued monitoring will be required whilst workers are in the space by fitting workers with portable gas detectors. Where a contaminant is identified as present above the exposure standard or Lower Explosive Limit (LEL), purging or mechanical ventilation is to be conducted. Gas detection equipment must be calibrated in accordance with manufacturer requirements. Evidence of calibration should be provided to DoMN prior to undertaking works Communication Continuous communication with worker/s undertaking works in confined spaces must be established from outside the space. This may be via voice, radio, hand signals or other suitable method. A competent standby person must also be provided to monitor conditions within the confined space and if possible observe the work being carried out. The standby person shall, under no circumstances leave his/her position. The stand by person should have all required rescue equipment available outside the space in case of an emergency. In the event of an emergency the stand by person shall immediately order workers to exit the space and summon assistance Respiratory Protection Appropriate respiratory protective equipment must be provided to workers based on the type of contaminants present in the space and the work to be carried out. Options include air supplied or self-breathing apparatus. Refer to AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment for more information. 5. Permit to Work Where work activities require contractors to enter into a confined space, a Confined Space Entry Permit must be issued prior to commencement of work by the Manager. Entry is not permitted until: The Confined Space Entry Permit has been completed; The permit has been authorised and validated for the duration of entry by the Manager; The contractors risk assessment and SWMS for the activity have been provided, reviewed and authorised by the Manager (and attached to the Permit); and Evidence of competency (e.g. training records/certificates) have been sighted for workers involved in the task. Prior to issuing or authorising a Confined Space Entry Permit, the following must be confirmed: Who is responsible for ensuring the safe undertaking of the task (i.e. the person to whom the permit shall be issued); Adequate supervision is provided for the task; Control measures can be implemented; Emergency and rescue procedures are in place; and Minor Revision: Nov 2017 Controlled copy uncontrolled on printing Page 4 of 6

5 All relevant sections of the Permit have been completed. Copies of risk assessments must be kept for 28 days. Permits must be kept until the work is completed. 6. Emergency and Rescue Procedures First aid, rescue and emergency procedures must be developed by the contractors entering the confined space (and practised as necessary) prior to confined space works being conducted. Procedures must be initiated from outside the space as soon as practicable in an emergency and be undertaken by trained, competent personnel. Certain plant, equipment and PPE will be required to enable emergency procedures to be enacted and this equipment should be placed next to the confined space ready to be used. Equipment should also be appropriately maintained to ensure it is in good working order with evidence of inspection, testing and maintenance provided to DoMN prior to works being undertaken. At all times whilst confined space works are being conducted, the entry/exit point of the confined space should be unobstructed and large enough to enable a rescue to take place. 7. Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) A SWMS specific to the confined space entry must be prepared by contractors and issued to DoMN prior to entering a confined space. The SWMS should include controls for hazards listed in Section 3 above. The content of the SWMS is to be communicated and signed off by all workers involved in the confined space entry prior to commencing work. 8. Training Workers and their Supervisors must have the skills and knowledge to understand the hazards associated with working in the confined space, the contents of any confined space entry permit and the control measures implemented for their protection. Training should be provided to relevant workers who: Enter or work in confined spaces; Undertake hazard identification or risk assessment in relation to a confined space; Implement risk control measures; Issue/authorised confined space entry permits; Act as a standby person or communicate with workers in a confined space; Monitor conditions while work is being carried out; Purchase equipment for confined space work; and Design or lay out a work area that includes a confined space. Formal confined space entry and rescue training must be undertaken by contractors entering confined spaces, supervising entry, stand-by personnel and those involved in emergency/rescue procedures. Confined space awareness and entry permit training must be undertaken by DoMN workers responsible for managing contractors undertaking confined space works and issuing entry permits. Training records must be kept for at least two (2) years. Minor Revision: Nov 2017 Controlled copy uncontrolled on printing Page 5 of 6

6 Forms Form 3.8a Confined Space Entry Permit References Work Health & Safety Act 2011 (NSW) Work Health & Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW) Part 4.3 Code of Practice 2011 AS 2865:2009 AS/NZS 1715:2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment Minor Revision: Nov 2017 Controlled copy uncontrolled on printing Page 6 of 6