SAFETY FACT SHEETS. Confined Space Entry Safety Non Negotiable. G-HS-ST Confined Space Entry. G-HS-FS Verison 1

Transcription

1 SAFETY FACT SHEETS Confined Space Entry Safety Non Negotiable G-HS-ST Confined Space Entry

2 Safety Non-Negotiables (SNN) Zinfra Group is committed to providing a safe workplace in line with our number one company value Health, Safety and the Environment. To bring this value to life, our strategy is to directly manage critical hazards through Safety Non-Negotiables (SNN s) and systematically manage other safety risks. All employees and vendors (whether suppliers, subcontractors or consultants) need to consistently apply the relevant controls stipulated on these SNN s across all Zinfra Group controlled sites. Any deviation from these SNN s will require a documented risk assessment with approval of the direct manager and HSEQ manager.

3 Definition Confined Space A confined space 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: 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.

4 Confined Space - examples Work that may involve confined space entry includes: Accessing underground substations. Accessing underground gas pump stations. Accessing cable basements. Accessing sewer mains. Accessing storage tanks. How can you tell it s a Confined Space? Ask Supervisor for locations Check the area for a Warning Sign

5 Item 1: Must have and follow the Safe Work Method Statement Do you understand the hazards and risks with the work? The most significant risk of working in a confined space is a Fatality. This may occur by: Harmful airborne contaminants Fire or explosion Difficulty rescuing an unconscious person Asphyxiation from poor oxygen or immersion in a free-flowing material, such as grain, sand, fertiliser, water or other liquids. What Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are relevant? Are all the controls in the SWMS in place? Is there anything unsafe that should be raised with your supervisor?

6 Item 2 : Follow all issued permit requirements All work within a confined space must be conducted using a confined space entry permit. The confined space entry permit must be located in a prominent place close to the entry point. You must be taken through the permit to understand all the requirements. Each person must sign the Entry/Exit Log of the permit before entering or exiting the confined space.

7 Item 3 : Test and keep a safe atmosphere within the confined space Every potential Confined Space must have the atmosphere tested before entry for unsafe conditions - Unsafe oxygen levels, harmful contaminants, flammable atmosphere. The atmosphere must be tested from outside the space. Samples to be taken at all levels of the space (e.g. top, work area and bottom). The reading taken at the work area must be recorded on the Confined Space Entry Permit.

8 Item 3 : Test and keep a safe atmosphere within the confined space - continued Suitable ventilation by natural, forced or mechanical methods must be identified and implemented to avoid the build-up of contaminants or combustible atmospheres. Ventilation must be monitored during the work. If the confined space has sufficient openings then natural ventilation may be adequate, but in most cases mechanical ventilation will be required.

9 Item 3 : Test and keep a safe atmosphere within the confined space - continued Solids and liquids, which are likely to present a hazard to persons inside the confined space, should be removed through purging or cleaning. Cleaning or flushing may have to be repeated to ensure that all potentially dangerous materials have been removed. Regular atmospheric monitoring must be carried out to ensure the atmosphere remains safe. The monitoring method will be dependent on the risks associated with the specific Confined Space and must be recorded on the Confined Space Permit.

10 Item 4 : Isolate services that may cause harm (e.g. drowning or suffocation) Isolate services connected to the space that may inadvertently introduce material that may cause drowning or suffocation. This may include water, gas or mechanical isolations. Authority must be obtained from the relevant asset owner or client prior to isolating any system.

11 Item 5 : Only enter a confined space if you are appropriately trained All persons required to enter, supervise or act as the stand-by person must have completed accredited confined space training.

12 Item 6 : Only enter a confined space when a trained stand-by person is positioned at the entry point for the duration of the work One or more Standby persons must be present outside the space when any person is inside.

13 Item 7 : Set up emergency rescue equipment and maintain agreed communication with the stand-by person A communication system must be established between people inside and outside the stand-by person. Suitable communication may include unobstructed vision or clearly defined signals, whistles, torch signal, safety ropes and approved call back device. All rescue equipment must be set-up at the access point.

14 Item 8 : Use tested and certified safety equipment All personal protective equipment including respirators, ventilation equipment, safety harness / lines and emergency equipment must have current test date, certified for use and be inspected for damage before use. Any air testing or monitoring equipment must be carried out using a suitable, correctly calibrated gas detector.

15 Item 9 : Place warning signs and barricades at all access points Confined space warning signs and protective physical barriers must be set up at each access point. They must be in place while the confined space is accessible, during preparation, during work and when demobilising from work.

16 Item 10 : Secure the confined space each day once the work is completed After work, the confined space must be secured with locks or other devices to prevent unauthorised access.