WHS PROCEDURE P Confined Spaces. Approved by: Ruth Hampton Review Date: 6 th December 2015

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1 5 WHS PROCEDURE P21-01 Page 1 of 7 Issue: 2 1. Intent The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory (TSA-AUE) is committed to the provision of a safe, healthy and injury free environment for all persons within the mission / ministry and operations under its control TSA-AUE recognises that confined spaces can pose a safety risk if not properly managed. Wherever practicable efforts shall be made to conduct the work from outside the confined space to minimise the risk. 2. Purpose To ensure that we effectively identify and manage the confined spaces which exist within our operations and manage the performance of any tasks involving confined spaces that are conducted on our site via the use of clear and rigorous permit procedures to control entry to these spaces 3. Definitions Confined space: an enclosed or partially enclosed space that: Confined Permit: Competent Person: Space 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: an atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level, or contaminants, including airborne gases, vapours and dusts, that may cause injury from fire or explosion, or harmful concentrations of any airborne contaminants, or engulfment. spaces that may meet the definition criteria for confined space are:- a) Storage tanks, tank cars, process vessels, boilers, pressure vessels, silos and other tank-like compartments. b) Pipes, sewers, shafts, degreasers and sullage pits, ducts and similar structures. c) a room or building which is rarely accessed and has limited or no ventilation such as a storage room or plant room. A written authority authorising work to be conducted within a confined space. A permit can only be issued by a competent person authorised by TSA-AUE to issue such a permit A person who has, through a combination of training, education and experience, acquired knowledge and skills enabling that person to perform a specified task correctly.

2 Page 2 of 7 Issue: 2 Department: Designated Person: Officer: An entity within TSA-AUE organization with specific responsibilities to carry out the various functions and activities of, although ultimate control remains under TSA-AUE leadership. A person who is competent; and has been given the responsibility to complete the tasks required of them in this procedure A person who is specifically commissioned for ministry within TSA. This ministry ranges from evangelical to pastoral duties as well as community service and administrative responsibilities. Standby Person: A competent person(s) that remains outside or in close proximity of a confined space and is capable of being in continuous communication with, and if practicable, observe those person(s) inside the confined space. They initiate first aid and rescue procedures if required 4. Methodology Identification and register. TSA-AUE officers / management shall ensure that all at each workplace are identified along with their hazards, risk and controls by a competent person in consultation with relevant workers and / or their representatives and documented on a Confined Space Register. The Register shall detail the confined space, its location and a description of the potential hazards within the confined space. The register will be maintained by a competent person and be available to all persons. Signage shall be installed at the point of entry, or in close proximity to the point of entry which identifies the space as a confined space and details that entry is strictly prohibited unless authorization is granted in accordance with this procedure and a Permit. All signage shall comply with the requirements of AS 1319 Signs for the Occupational Environment. All signage shall be inspected and maintained to ensure they remain in good condition and legible. Typical Confined Space sign

3 Page 3 of 7 Issue: 2 Securing Where possible and practical all confined spaces entry points shall be secured by way of a lock and key. Officers / management responsible for the confined spaces shall be responsible for ensuring all keys are maintained under their control and that all confined spaces remain secured when not in use. Confined spaces that cannot be secured shall be regularly monitored to ensure there is no unauthorized access. Confined Space Entry Permit A Permit is required for entry to all confined spaces identified on site. Any access requiring a permit must be completed within the time indicated on the Confined Spaces Permit. A Permit applies to one day only. Where the task takes more than one day, additional permits will need to be issued. Confined space entry may only be authorised by a Designated Person. Designated Person The Designated Person shall: Inspect the work area to identify the hazards, assess the risks and determine the control measures to be implemented in consultation with the personnel that are to enter the confined space. Inspect the area to determine that the conditions of the permit have been met prior to signing the Confined Space Entry Permit; Inspect the area during and after the completion of the confined space entry to ensure compliance to the permit requirements is being maintained.; Ensure that a procedure and appropriate facilities exist for managing an emergency within the confined space; Ensure all gas detection / atmospheric monitoring equipment has been calibrated and is current. Ensure that all persons entering the confined space are physically fit to do so and are able to wear any personal protective equipment provided such that it may operate effectively; Ensure that Stand By and First Aid personnel are in place. Authorise entry into the confined space by signing and dating the permit. Ensure all persons that entered the confined space are accounted for prior to withdrawing authority by signing off the permit; and Remove the permit from the area upon completion of the work to a central document retention location. Specific Confined space entry requirements Each confined spaces entry procedure shall meet the requirements of the Work Health and Safety Regulations and the Confined Space Code of Practice. Entry to these spaces shall be strictly prohibited unless this procedure is complied with.

4 Page 4 of 7 Issue: 2 Where a confined space is accessed routinely and the tasks performed in that confined space remain unchanged, an entry procedure specific to that space shall be developed. This procedure should provide specific information on the isolation of the space, gas testing to confirm a safe atmosphere, accessing the space and safely returning the space to service. This procedure is to be used in addition to completion of the Confined Space Entry Permit. Entry and exit openings to confined spaces shall be adequately sized to allow the rescue of a person should this be required. Wherever practicable efforts should be made to perform the task without the need to enter the confined space to ensure the risks are minimized. Prior to entering a confined space Prior to entry to a confined space, the following shall be completed and documented using the TSA-AUE Confined Space Entry Permit: A hazard identification, A risk assessment, Identified control measures to be put in place. Evaluate if a Hot Work or Working at Heights permit is also required Evaluate equipment that needs isolation using the TSA-AUE Lock-Out procedure This assessment shall be revised if the space changes in any way to invalidate the assessment. On exiting the confined space Once the confined space entry has been completed the area shall be made safe and the permit closed out. Completed permits shall be retained centrally on site for a minimum of 2 years. A risk assessment for the confined space must be maintained so long as it is relevant to the space or for 5 years. Training All people required to: Manage confined spaces Enter a confined space, Carry out work or rescues related to a confined space entry, Issue a confined space permit; or Supervise or manage people working in or near a confined space; Act as a Standby person in relation to a confined space entry The training shall ensure that relevant persons have the skills and knowledge to understand the hazards associated with working in the confined space, the Confined Space Entry Permit and the control measures implemented for their protection as a minimum, addressing: - The provisions of the relevant legislation

5 Page 5 of 7 Issue: 2 - The provisions of Code of Practice - Physical, chemical and biological hazards relating to work in or near confined spaces - Hazard identification and assessment - including use of the approved permit - The control measures required - Established WHS procedures and safe work practices at the worksite Emergency procedures that may be required, including the use of safety equipment and PPE. - The selection, use, fit, testing, maintenance and storage of PPE - The use of any other equipment provided for the work in the confined space - Emergency entry and exit procedures that may be required. - Continuous communication requirements - First aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - Fire protection and suppression All training shall include a formal competency assessment, including both theory and practical component as appropriate. Participants shall then be subject to the necessary reassessments as required, but no longer than every two years. Records shall be retained for a minimum of the term of the worker's tenure plus 5 years. Use of a Confined Space Contractor When TSA-AUE does not have appropriately trained workers, it will engage appropriately qualified contractors to perform the work. The contractor will be engaged to provide a comprehensive service covering all aspect for which TSA-AUE does not have the appropriate competencies. The contractor must meet all the requirements of this procedure, including the roles and responsibilities of the Designated Person; identify hazards, assess risks and put in place all the necessary controls; conduct the work and supply all necessary PPE, Recovery Equipment etc. not available from TSA-AUE. provide TSA-AUE with evidence the equipment certifications are current. inspect and close out the work; only engage or sub-contract people who have met the training requirements. provide TSA-AUE with a full set of documentation. Reviewing the Effectiveness of Confined Space Control Measures In consultation with relevant workers and / or their representatives the persons responsible for the confined spaces shall ensure control measures identified from confined space risk assessments and the process of identifying confined space hazards as detailed on the Register are reviewed every five (5) years or under any of the following circumstances:-

6 Page 6 of 7 Issue: 2 Persons working in or responsible for confined spaces have raised concerns over hazard identification, risk assessment and control measures. New control measures have become available that will make the confined spaces work safer. Changes to the confined space have occurred that may impact on the hazards identified and their associated control measures less / ineffective. There is new or amended legislation introduced or new information becomes available that indicates current controls would no longer be legislatively compliant or effective. A request is made to review the confined space control measures by a Health and Safety Representative of workers performing the confined space work. An incident has occurred as a result of work carried out in a confined space. The Register shall be updated to reflect any reviews undertaken and arrangements made by the persons responsible for the confined spaces to ensure any changes to controls identified are implemented prior to any further relevant confined spaces work being undertaken. 5. Procedure 1. Prior to starting any confined space process consideration shall be taken regarding the need for confined space work. Consider whether the tasks can be completed in a safer way i.e. from outside the confined space 2. Review the permit information and conditions to ensure the nature of the confined space and work to be undertaken is included. Identify the designated person to conduct the review, the standby person and the designated person to authorise the work 3. When commencing to raise the permit ensure all permit requirements are understood and implemented, always seek assistance if unsure prior to starting work 4. Review all risk assessment requirements including the permit requirements for the confined space entry and the tasks being undertaken in the confined space. 5. Ensure all controls are in place prior to commencement, including all emergency controls are in place and checked, atmospheric testing is completed and the need for monitoring reviewed. Ensure the confined space entry log is completed. 6. Commence the work and continue with all controls and monitoring in place. 7. The designated person shall monitor the process throughout and ensure the controls remain in place and are effective 8. The designated person reviews all aspects of the permit and ensure they are satisfied with the work that has been completed, the confined space has been vacated and the work area is made safe prior to closure 9. All permits are to be centrally stored and maintained for 2 years

7 Page 7 of 7 Issue: 2 6. Monitoring and Review Compliance with this procedure shall be reviewed and its effectiveness evaluated across TSA- AUE, in accordance with the WHS Planning, Monitoring and Review and Auditing Procedures. Key aspects of this procedure s implementation shall be monitored via:- Completed Permits Equipment Inspection Records Management meeting minutes shall record the outcomes of any discussions relating to monitoring and review activities. 7. Auditable Records Auditable Record Responsibility Location Risk Assessments Register signage Permits Safe Work Procedures Equipment Inspection records Gas monitoring calibration records Emergency Procedures Training records WHS Committee / consultative forum meeting minutes Management Review Meeting minutes Internal references TSA-AUE WHS Hazard Management policy WHS 004 TSA-AUE WHS Hazard Management procedure WHSP4-01 TSA-AUE WHS Hazard Identification procedure WHSP4-02 TSA-AUE WHS Risk Assessment and Control procedure WHSP4-03 TSA-AUE WHS Confined space policy WHS 021 TSA-AUE WHS Confined space permit F21-01 TSA-AUE WHS Confined space register F21-02