Confined Space Entry Program Guidelines (Human Resources - Health and Safety Department)

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1 Confined Space Entry Program Guidelines (Human Resources - Health and Safety Department) Introduction The Thames Valley District School Board, through the Health and Safety Policy is committed to providing a healthy and safe working environment for all individuals. This program has been established to re-enforce that commitment for those individuals that may be entering into areas that may be considered confined spaces as defined by the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its respective regulations. These individuals may be entering these spaces for the purpose of conducting maintenance, repairs or inspection. Definition Ontario Regulation 629/05 states the following: confined space means a fully or partially enclosed space, (a) that is not both designed and constructed for continuous human occupancy, and (b) in which atmospheric hazards may occur because of its construction, location or contents or because of work that is done in it; Elements of the Confined Space Entry Program The Confined Space Program contains the following elements as the foundation of the program. - confine space recognition - hazard assessment - entry plan development - worker education - entry permits This does not preclude other existing programs, procedures and protocols which are required to complete the confined space entry program. For Example: Hot work, lockout / tag out, respiratory protection. Recognition At the request of Facility Services, Human Resources Services Health and Safety shall conduct an assessment on those areas currently considered as potential confined spaces. Where an employee is requested to conduct work or perform a task and there is a concern regarding a nonassessed area; the employee shall contact their immediate supervisor and a Request for a Confined Space Assessment Form shall be completed. A copy of this form must also be submitted to the Building Manager Responsible for the space which is to be assessed. NO person is to enter the space in question until an assessment is completed. HRS Health and Safety shall conduct an assessment and record the findings on a Confined Space Hazard Assessment Form. A completed Confined Space Hazard Assessment Form for each space assessed shall be left for retention with the individual at the facility who is responsible for the request for service, maintenance or repair. The Request for a Confined Space Assessment Form and the Confined Space Hazard Assessment Forms must be retained for a period longer than one year after the document was created or a period of time necessary to ensure that at least the two most recent records for a particular confined space are retained. Once an area has been identified as a confined space, it must be secured and signed to prevent unauthorized entry. The sign shall also indicate that the area is identified as a confined space and that entry procedures must be followed. Confined Space Entry Plan For each identified confined space, an entry plan shall be established. The regulated requirement of this plan

2 shall provide detail on the following: - the duties of the employee - co-ordination with other employees or groups - plan specific training - entry permits - rescue procedures - rescue equipment - specific personal protective equipment - energy source isolation and control of material movement - entry point attendants - adequate means of entering and exit - atmospheric testing - procedures for working in the presence of explosive or flammable dust / mist / vapours / gas ventilation and purging. HRS Health and Safety shall develop an initial entry plan based on the initial hazard assessment. The entry plan may need to be enhanced specific to the work being conducted. This enhancement shall take place by HRS Health and Safety in cooperation with the department supervisor either conducting the work or responsible for its completion. Entry Plans must be retained for a period longer than one year after the document was created or a period of time necessary to ensure that at least the two most recent records for a particular confined space are retained. Pre-Entry Preparation Based on the requirements of the entry plan, the details of the pre-entry precautions and procedures must be documented in detail prior to any person considering entering the confined space. The individual completing these processes must be identified on the Confined Space Pre-Entry Preparation. Entry Permits A separate entry permit is to be issued for each time work is to be performed in a confined space prior to an individual entering. If the work, maintenance or servicing, within the confined space spans over a number of days or shifts; a separate entry permit must be completed. Entry Permits must be retained for a period longer than one year after the document was created or a period of time necessary to ensure that at least the two most recent records for a particular confined space are retained. Entry Permits must be maintained at the location for which it was issued. Confined Space Training Confined space specific training for all personnel involved in a confined space entry program is required. This training is to be conducted by an individual with adequate knowledge, training and experience. The training is to be developed or acquired in consultation with themain Legal Joint Health and Safety Committee(s). The training must be reviewed with the Committee(s) whenever there is a change in the circumstances that may affect the safety of an employee who enters a confined space; or at least annually if there are no changes. Up-to-date written training records must be maintained and indicate who provided the training, who received the training, the training content and the date the training was received and conducted. These records shall be maintained by the supervisor of the trained worker and the trained worker themselves.

3 Attendant(s) The responsibilities of the Attendant(s) shall include: - monitoring the safety of the worker inside the confined space - providing assistance to the worker inside the confined space - summoning adequate rescue response if required. The attendant is not to enter the confined space at any time and be stationed outside and at the entrance to the confined space. W here there are two or more entrances; the attendant must be at the entrance that allows him or her to best perform their duties. The attendant must maintain constant communication with all workers within the confined space and a device for summoning and adequate rescue response. Rescue and Rescue Equipment In addition to having an attendant that is trained in first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; the attendant must also be trained in the use of the rescue equipment. Included in the rescue equipment is a method(s) of communication. These communications must be appropriate for the hazard(s) identified in the assessment (i.e. alarms) and must be readily available for workers to communicate with the attendant. It is imperative that checks and inspections be conducted on this equipment to verify proper working order prior to an individual entering the confined space. These verifications must be indicated as completed on the entry permit. Lockout, Blankout, Shoring, Blocking The Thames Valley District School Board Facility Services has created a Lock Out Program that incorporates the blanking process. This program requires all energy sources and hazardous substances to be locked / blanked out. This procedure will be extended to confined space entry. In the case of hazardous substances - this may require the blanking or disconnection of piping; where this is not practical due to technical reasons, other adequate measures must be taken and documented. Energy sources, both electrical and mechanical must also locked and tagged out. Finally, measures must be in place to protect the worker from drowning, engulfment, entrapment, suffocation and other hazards from free flowing materials and from overhead.

4 Forms

5 REQUEST FOR CONFINED SPACE ASSESSMENT Name of Facility: Location Code: Location and Description of Space To Be Assessed: Site Contact Person: Position: Assessment Requested By: Phone Number: Alternate Phone Number: Copy provided to Building Manager responsible for Space to be assessed. NOTE: NO PERSON IS TO ENTER THE SPACE UNTIL AN ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND AN ENTRY PLAN HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED.

6 Confined Space Hazard Assessment Form Name of Facility: Location Code: Location and Description of Space: Hazard Identification: Physical Mechanical Material Entrapment Other Supply Noise Falling Material Temperature Lighting Atmospheric Flammable Chemical (Specify) Other Oxygen Biological Dust Evaluation: Parameter Value(s) Assessed By: Date Assessed: (Print Name)

7 Confined Space Pre-Entry Preparation Name of Facility: Location Code: Location and Description of Space: Lockout: Blanking: Purging/ Ventilating Shoring/ Blocking:

8 Other Other Other Other

9 Confined Space Entry Permit Name of Facility: Location and Description of Space: Description of Work to be Performed: Location Entry Date: Expiration: Person(s) authorized to Enter: Attendant(s): Time of Entry and Exits Entry Exit Reason Equipment Checklist Yes No Inspected Ventilation Breathing Apparatus (positive) Respirator (negative) Escape Harness Retrieval Unit Life Line Fire Extinguisher Lighting Protective Clothing Traffic Control Communications Personal Monitor Atmospheric Monitoring Prior To Entry Date/Time Results Initials Oxygen (%) Combustibles Toxics Other ( ) If an emergency should occur first summon help. Do not enter a confined space until qualified help arrives and entry can be made safely. If a person is down for no apparent cause, it must be assumed the individual has been overcome by atmospheric hazards. Do not enter if not trained and without full protective gear. Entry Approved By: (Signature) Contact Number Date