Training & Consultancy Confined Space ACOP L101 Presented by: Ken Smith CMIOSH
Confined Space ACOP Due to the size of the full presentation (>2MB) it has had to be divided into 2 parts This is Part 1 - go to Part 2 to complete the full presentation
Confined Space ACOP Overview The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 have not changed The ACOP and Guidance (L101) was updated in 2014 to reflect best practice and new industries
Confined Space ACOP One of the main features is the to clarify what is, and what is not, a confined space So we can make an informed assessment of is it or isn t it?
Confined Space ACOP Employers and the self-employed are Duty Holders With specific additional detail for people such as the Competent Person
Confined Space ACOP A reminder about worker involvement, or consultation... To gather experience and information that will help produce a safe system of work
Confined Space Risk Assessment Carried out under the MHSWR Regulation 3 requirement The person carrying out the risk assessment must be competent To identify if a confined space exists To identify ways of doing the work without entry, so far as is reasonably practicable Use all available relevant information Consider changing situations
Confined Space Risk Assessment Things to consider: General condition Previous Contents Residues Contamination Oxygen deficiency or enrichment Physical dimensions Hazards arising form the work Cleaning chemicals Sources of ignition...and so on
Confined Space Risk Assessment So the confined space risk assessment is going to be the base document for all confined space entry decisions, such as... Confined Space or not Entry or not Safe working system Personnel and supervision Training Equipment Personal Protection Communication Emergencies
Confined Spaces and Construction The ACOP reminds us of our duties under Regulation 9 of CDM 2015 And our duties under Section 6 of HASWA In both cases emphasising the need to design out the need for confined space entry or make entry and exit easier But noting that tunnelling may be the safest way of performing some construction even though it would create a confined space
Is the space substantially or totally enclosed? Yes Is there a risk of one or more of the following? Serious injury due to fire or explosion Loss of consciousness arising from increased body temperature Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation arising from gas, fume, vapour or lack of oxygen Drowning from an increase in the level of liquid Asphyxiation from a freeflowing solid or being unable to reach a respirable environment due to being trapped by such a freeflowing solid No Will the work to be done in the space introduce one or more of those risks? No The space is not a confined space under these Regulations No Yes Yes The space is not a confined space under these Regulations The space is a confined space and subject to these Regulations The space is a confined space and subject to these regulations as long as this work is being carried out and any residual risk remains, e.g. until produced fumes have been fully vented
Confined Space ACOP Under the Regulations a Confined Space must have both of the following defining features: (a) it must be a space which is substantially (though not always entirely) enclosed; and (b) one or more of the specified risks must be present or reasonably foreseeable. So... Apply
The Specified Risks are... (a) serious injury to any person at work arising from a fire or explosion or oxygen enrichment (b) (i) the loss of consciousness of any person at work arising from an increase in body temperature (ii) the loss of consciousness or asphyxiation of any person at work arising from gas, fume, vapour or the lack of oxygen
The Specified Risks are... (c) the drowning of any person at work arising from an increase in the level of liquid; or (d) the asphyxiation of any person at work arising from a free flowing solid or the inability to reach a respirable environment due to entrapment by a free flowing solid;
Confined Space Hazards Flammable Substances and Oxygen Enrichment the presence of flammable substances, for example from fumes left in a tanker previously used for transporting petrol; from an excess of oxygen in the atmosphere, for example caused by a leak from an oxygen cylinder forming part of welding equipment L101 P10
Confined Space Hazards Excessive Heat Hot conditions can lead to a dangerous rise in core body temperature This can be made worse by wearing personal protective equipment, highly physical or strenuous work, or working at a high work rate. In extreme cases heat stroke and unconsciousness can result. L101 P10
Confined Space Hazards Toxic Gas, Fume or Vapour Hydrocarbon vapours can still linger under scale and fittings even after cleaning Problems can arise due to up-wind leaks from adjacent plant that isn t isolated, and portable equipment, so be aware of wind direction, L101 P10
Testing/Monitoring Equipment The choice of detection equipment depends on information of possible contaminants Take advice from a competent person When testing for toxic or asphyxiating atmospheres chemical detector tubes or portable electronic equipment may be suitable L101 P26
Portable Electronic Equipment Multi- Gas They key task is matching the gas monitoring equipment to the contaminant that may be present, even temporarily Single- Gas
Portable Electronic Equipment The monitoring equipment must be calibrated and maintained Switched on in clean air Checked frequently with a test kit - Bump Test Record in daily operator checks L101 P26
Confined Space ACOP End of Part 1 Go to Part 2 to continue Ken Smith's presentation