RA Ref Number: 32 Revision: 4 Project/Job Number Reference Insert Job Number Approval Date: 30/03/2018 RA Description: confined space Next Review Date: 01/04/2019 Notes: Please refer to Safe Working Practices 32 for definitions of items in this assessment. Created by: Lee Davies Risk Assessment Method & Scoring The summary risk assessment is calculated as Likelihood x Consequence and categorised as follows; 1 to 6 = 7 to 16 = 17 to 25 = High Risk TASK HAZARDS PERSONS AFFECTED INITIAL RISK LEVEL CONTROL MEASURES Issued by: Issue Date: Insert Name Insert Date REVISED RISK LEVEL Access into & Egress from a Confined Space. Lifting Manhole or Duct Covers Manual Handling Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are trained and experienced in manual handling techniques. will use the correct manhole removal keys. must wear safety boots. must wear slip proof safety gloves. Removal or replacement of manhole covers must be performed by two men. Access into & Egress from a Confined Space. Falls from Height Prior to initial entry a Permit to Work will be obtained from the client. Fixed access ladders are provided and inspected by the client. Temporary access ladders will be provided to enter or exit the Ladders used on all projects will be Class 1 (industrial applications) Ladders used for access will have a valid inspection certificate. are trained and experienced in the use of ladders and step ladders. Confined Space. Poor Lighting Risk of Injury from tripping and falling Risk of Injury from contact with broken glass Fixed lighting has been provided and inspected by the client. will ensure fixed lighting is switched on at all access points. entering the confined space will be equipped with suitable portable lighting with capacity to last the duration of the task. are trained to be aware of debris whilst working with the confined space. will wear cut resistant gloves whilst working with the confined space. RA Number: 32 - Issue Revision: 4 Page 1 of 10
TASK HAZARDS PERSONS AFFECTED INITIAL RISK LEVEL CONTROL MEASURES REVISED RISK LEVEL Trip Hazards Piping, cables etc. tripping and falling Slippery Surfaces and Walkways Risk of injury due to Slips and Falls Biological Hazards Foul water, pests etc. Risk of ill-health and disease Asbestos ACMs Total 20 High Risk Engineer awareness of trip hazards due to nature of the confined space (loose cables, wires and debris). Identify trip hazards present and minimise the risk of these hazards in an appropriate manner. All new cables are installed to minimise the risk of tripping. Remove all rubbish from confined space as work proceeds. Running is prohibited within the All leaks onto walkways are identified and reported immediately. Engineer awareness of the need to report leaks immediately. Due care and attention paid to slippery surfaces. Engineer awareness of poison left for rodents. Engineer awareness of the possible presence of biological hazards. Engineer to report any possible biological hazards immediately. All dead rodents are reported and removed immediately. All leakages are identified, reported and dealt with accordingly. Eating, Drinking and Smoking is prohibited at all times within confined spaces. The client must provide an Asbestos Register covering relevant work areas. are fully trained and experienced in Asbestos Awareness. will review the Asbestos Register prior to starting work. will report any suspected ACMs to the Client and work will cease. must wear a suitable Dust Mask whilst working within the confined space. Total 5 RA Number: 32 - Issue Revision: 4 Page 2 of 10
TASK HAZARDS PERSONS AFFECTED INITIAL RISK LEVEL CONTROL MEASURES REVISED RISK LEVEL Dust Risk of Ill Health due to exposure. must wear a suitable Dust Mask whilst working within the confined space. Restrictions and Contact Hazards cuts/lacerations Risk of injury due to entanglement Gases and fumes inhalation of fumes and gases, Methane (CH4), Carbon Monoxide (CO) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) + others Total 20 High Risk Engineer awareness of possible restrictions and contact hazards at entrances, exits and within the confined spaces. Loose clothing that could snag easily is prohibited. Long sleeved overalls must be worn. Head protection is worn by all workers. Gas testing and monitoring is carried out before entry and during operations Top man (engineer) is present to raise any alarm necessary Engineer awareness of the dangers of exposure to gas in confined spaces Engineer carry escape sets while working in confined spaces are adequately trained in the use of gas detectors and escape sets Escape sets are a adequately maintained are aware of the need to exit immediately if they feel uncomfortable, nauseous or dizzy Total 5 RA Number: 32 - Issue Revision: 4 Page 3 of 10
TASK HAZARDS PERSONS AFFECTED INITIAL RISK LEVEL CONTROL MEASURES REVISED RISK LEVEL Utility Services Water, Gas, Electricity. The Client will make engineers aware of the Utility services present within the Utilities and Services are isolated when necessary. contact with services Heat Stress overheating are physically and mentally fit for the work being carried out. Engineer awareness of the dangers of heat stress. Readily available supply of drinking water. Well planned break periods outside the Fire Risk of injury due to personnel trapped. Poor Communication Lone Working Total 20 High Risk In the event of a fire within the confined space, the confined space is evacuated immediately and the building / emergency services notified immediately In the event of a fire in the building the confined space is evacuated Immediately Smoking or naked flames are prohibited within the Waste and rubbish is to be removed immediately from the Communication between the engineers working within the confined space and the Top Man is to be maintained at all times and at regular intervals. Two way radio communication units (walky talkies) are to be utilised by all engineers working in or outside of the Mobile phones should not be relied upon as a stable means of communication. Lone working is prohibited on all confined space projects. All confined space projects will require a minimum of two confined spaces trained engineers. Total 5 RA Number: 32 - Issue Revision: 4 Page 4 of 10
TASK HAZARDS PERSONS AFFECTED INITIAL RISK LEVEL CONTROL MEASURES REVISED RISK LEVEL Hot Pipes & Steam Burns Total 20 High Risk The Client will make engineers aware of the presence of hot pipes or steam vents within the Hot pipes and steam vents must be isolated when necessary. Total 5 Emergency Response. inadequate emergency response plan Total 20 High Risk All relevant personnel are trained in emergency response procedures The method of evacuating casualties has been identified and associated equipment is present and personnel trained The relevant emergency services are notified in the event of an emergency Total 5 RA Number: 32 - Issue Revision: 4 Page 5 of 10
Safe Working Practice: 32 confined space 1 PURPOSE: The purpose of this guide is to highlight safe working practices for: All persons WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES must receive appropriate training What is a Confined Space? A confined space is an enclosed space where there is a risk of death or serious injury from hazardous substances or dangerous conditions (e.g. lack of oxygen). A confined space has one or more of the following characteristics: Limited access or egress The space contains known or potentially hazardous substances and / or atmospheres The space is not intended for continuous working Conditions of engulfment or entrapment may exist or develop. Some confined spaces are obvious such as storage tanks, silos, enclosed drains and sewers. However, others may be less obvious, such as vats, ductwork, unventilated / poorly ventilated rooms and opentopped chambers. LOW Risk: A low risk confined space exists when there is easy entry / exit, no risk of flooding and adequate natural ventilation. MEDIUM Risk: A medium risk confined space exists where there are access issues, an expectation of a specified risk and escape breathing apparatus must be taken in. HIGH Risk: A high risk confined space exists when there is a specified hazard that cannot be eliminated or controlled and work activity uses breathing apparatus. RA Number: 32 - Issue Revision: 4 Page 6 of 10
What are the dangers from confined spaces? Dangers can arise in confined spaces because of the following issues. A lack of oxygen. This can occur: where there is a reaction between some soils and the oxygen in the atmosphere; following the action of groundwater on chalk and limestone which can produce carbon dioxide and displace normal air; in ships holds, freight containers, lorries etc as a result of the cargo reacting with oxygen inside the space; inside steel tanks and vessels when rust forms. Poisonous gas, fume or vapour. These can: build-up in sewers and manholes and in pits connected to the system; enter tanks or vessels from connecting pipes leak into trenches and pits in contaminated land, such as old refuse tips and old gas works. Liquids and solids which can suddenly fill the space, or release gases into it, when disturbed. Free-flowing solids such as grain can also partially solidify or bridge in silos, causing blockages which can collapse unexpectedly. Fire and explosions (eg from flammable vapours, excess oxygen etc). Residues left in tanks, vessels etc, or remaining on internal surfaces, which can give off gas, fume or vapour. Dust present in high concentrations, eg in flour silos. Hot conditions leading to a dangerous increase in body temperature. 2 PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT Operators must wear and have access too; Safety Boots/Shoes incorporating steel toe-caps CDI issued work wear and overalls Safety Helmet or Bump Cap. Dust masks where appropriate Safety Gloves Cut resistant and waterproof Ear protectors - where appropriate. Safety Glasses - where appropriate. Rescue Harness and Life Lines (rope) Portable Lighting Hand Held or Head Mounted Gas Detection Systems Two way radio communication devices (walky talky) First Aid Kit RA Number: 32 - Issue Revision: 4 Page 7 of 10
3 BEFORE WORK Before any work in confined spaces starts, the following steps where applicable should be completed: Appoint a supervisor to take responsibility for the whole operation. All operatives must read and understand the rescue plan as detailed on the method statement. Request and Review the Asbestos Register. Ensure a work permit is obtained, completed, signed and dated by a competent person. Ensure all workers are competent, are medically fit and have received adequate training Withdraw any plant from service Turn off all gas, power, steam or water supplies into the confined space Isolate the permit space, and put up signs indicating that work is being undertaken within the confined space Empty, flush, clean or otherwise purge the confined space of any flammable or toxic substances, so far as is reasonably practicable Monitor the quality of the air within the confined space and evaluate the hazards. It is important that the correct monitoring and analytical procedures are used Ventilate all contaminated confined spaces for at least 15 minutes before entry, and ensure suitable and sufficient ventilation equipment is available and tested by a competent person Ensure suitable and sufficient PPE is available and tested by a competent person Check the size of the access/egress points to ensure they are large enough to allow easy passage by workers wearing PPE Supply suitable and sufficient work equipment, for example extra-low voltage equipment and non-sparking tools Supply suitable and sufficient lighting equipment Ensure there is an adequate communication system Atmospheric Monitoring Before anyone enters the confined space, the atmosphere should be tested for various gases, such as: Oxygen levels should not be less than 19.5% (oxygen deficient), or greater than 23.5% (oxygen enriched) Flammable gases and vapours should not be greater than 10% of the lower explosive limit Hydrogen sulphide should not be greater than 10ppm Carbon monoxide should not be greater than 50ppm Other toxic gases or vapours should not exceed their Workplace Exposure Limits. If the atmosphere contains hazardous levels of contaminants, or is oxygen deficient, the following steps are recommended: Identify the source of the contamination and remove it Ventilate contaminated spaces by drawing out air and replacing it with non-polluted air, until several air changes have been achieved Ventilate the space and re-test the air until you can prove that the atmosphere is safe. RA Number: 32 - Issue Revision: 4 Page 8 of 10
Access / Egress It is recommended that the minimum size of an opening to allow access with full rescue apparatus be 575mm diameter or minor axis. Existing plant may have smaller access points, but they should not be less than 457mm diameter round, or 457mm long and 410mm wide if oval or rectangular. Ducts of dimensions smaller than 900mm high x 600mm wide should not be entered, and where shafts contain a ladder or step irons, 900mm clear space should be provided between the ladder/steps and back of the shaft. Emergency Arrangements Before anyone goes in to the confined space, suitable rescue (and resuscitation) arrangements must be in place. When things go wrong, people may be exposed to serious and immediate danger. Effective arrangements for raising the alarm and carrying out rescue operations in an emergency are essential. Contingency plans will depend on the nature of the confined space, the risks identified and consequently the likely nature of an emergency rescue. Emergency arrangements will depend on the risks. Consideration must include communications and rescue and resuscitation equipment. Rescue and resuscitation equipment Providing suitable rescue and resuscitation equipment will depend on the likely emergencies identified. Where such equipment is provided for rescuers to use, training in correct operation is essential. Capabilities of rescuers Rescuers need to be properly trained people, sufficiently fit to carry out their task, ready at hand, and capable of using any equipment provided for rescue, eg breathing apparatus, lifelines and fire-fighting equipment. Rescuers also need to be protected against the cause of the emergency. Emergency Rescue arrangements must be detailed within a project specific Method Statement. RA Number: 32 - Issue Revision: 4 Page 9 of 10
4 DURING WORK If there is no option other than to enter the space, ensure that the person entering has all PPE required, is wearing an appropriate mask, and is aware of all hazards present. Establish a reliable communication system using two way radios. One person must remain outside the entry point, and be in constant contact with the person inside. Establish an emergency procedure. Establish how the person inside the confined space will be evacuated in an emergency, without the rescuer having to enter the space themselves. For a void this may be a harness and rope, by which the person can be pulled up / out if an emergency occurs. In the case of a small room, establish regular contact procedures, with a person outside of the room who can carry out a rescue if required. Mobile phone contact IS NOT acceptable in these circumstances, the signal can become weak in a small room, and a mobile phone must NEVER be taken into an area where fumes / fine dust are a hazard as this can lead to an explosion. 5 AFTER WORK When confined space working has been completed, inform the client and sign-off the permit to work. Then carry out a full check of all equipment and if any faults are found mark this, and place it out of use. Store all equipment in line with the manufacturer s instructions. CDI GROUP LTD PLACES GREAT IMPORTANCE ON EVERYONE'S SAFETY: FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE MAY RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION RA Number: 32 - Issue Revision: 4 Page 10 of 10