What are all the precautions one should undertake prior to enter inside a Confined Space?

01. Appoint a competent person who  conduct a risk assessment. This activity identifies the possible hazards and recommendations for safe work environment.

02. The person who intends to work inside the confined space should be trained properly.

03. A permit to work must be issued  verified by the safety department.

04. A team should be formed and communication system should be developed between the members of the team.

05. Isolation of the confined space should be done by applying a comprehensive lock out and tag out system.

06. Clean the confined space area before entry. Check the size of the entry. Arrange ventilation for the workers who are working inside the confined space.

07. Test the air before the entry.

08. Arrange emergency equipment and suitable lighting.

09. Use suitable personal protective equipment.

 

Further precautions should be taken like emergency services should be available till the completion of the task.

Isolate the electrical source Check poisonous gas accumulation Check the oxygen level Choose the competent person who has relevant experience Appoint hole watch Provide communication device to use in emergency situation Provide IITS {information instructions training and supervision} Check heath condition of a person who going to perform a task Can give additional oxygen cylinder to person Train about emergency procedures.

* A valid PTW should be available * supervisor should make sure all the resources are in place before entering the confined space. * gas detectors should be used to check oxygen levels and other hazardous gases. * A compitent person should be appointed for the task. * person should be a well communicator with the people inside Confined space. * All the team should be well aware of each ones emergency responsibility. * supervisor should make sure that the worker doesn't work for a long time inside Confined space. * Never get panic if any incident occurs during the task. * secondary plan should always be available with the supervisor.

the answer is in question itself we are entering in a confined space so the answer is simple we have to check the confined space  gas test oxygen presence and other toxic gas the confined space consider as vessel , tank manholes sewer etc that the excavation deeper than 4 feet

1st thing warning signs 2nd gas test 3rd appropriate PPE ( personnel protective equipment ) what ever it is never perform this action alone there should be supervisor standby man should be there and you have to wear breathing apparatus.  

 

happy to share thanks for asking me .... :)

ensure a correct filling of the PTW and secure its Approving Authority signature

strictly follow the lockout- tag out procedure

ensure the suitable skills and capabilities for the entrant, attendant and the supervisor before entering the confined space

continuous monitoring for the atmosphere till the mission accomplished    

 

• Avoid entry if practically possible: It’s that simple, if the job can reasonably be done externally or remotely then it should be. As reflected in the hierarchy of controls elimination should be the first course of action considered before actual entry.

• Carry out a risk assessment of the space: Determining what hazards are present and the threat severity they pose is essential to the safety of workers within the space. If you don’t know about it, you can’t protect against it.

• Get a work permit for the space: A confined space entry permit must be in place prior to work commencing and needs to be signed off on by all involved; namely the issuing authority, performing authority and the workers due to carry out the task in question.

• Safe access and escape arrangements: The most obvious example of this would be a fixed ladder arrangement with means of emergency escape also being ready as required – e.g. an emergency winch rescue device for retrieval of operatives via a safety harness in the event of an accident or other dangerous development.

• Monitoring the atmosphere within the space: Checks need to be made with a four-way gas detection monitoring device for the presence of toxic gases such as Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrogen Sulphide or combustibles hazards such as high oxygen levels.

• Providing appropriate breathing apparatus: Dependent upon the results of atmospheric monitoring and whether entry is still viable workers may require a self-contained breathing apparatus to protect them from toxic gases.

• Setup lighting arrangements: Adequate temporary lighting arrangements must be made in order for the operatives to not only have clear vision while working but to avoid any prominent physical hazards within the space.
• Providing appropriate safe tools and equipment: These must be safe to use within the space’s conditions, accounting for risks such as electrocution with power tools in water or sparks which may ignite flammable gases.

• Space ventilation: This will most likely be a fan assisted system implemented inside the confined space to maintain airflow and keep temperatures down to safe levels.

• Capable operatives: Considering if you or your operatives are in suitable physical condition and appropriately trained for the work is a fairly straightforward though easily overlooked point. If there is concern that the physical condition of a worker may endanger an operation or the conditions within a space may aggravate a health complaint, then they should not enter to begin with.

• Edge protection: Hazards aren’t necessarily limited to operatives entering the space; having high visibility fixed barriers, flashing lights, signage and/or traffic cones positioned around entries such as manholes may be necessary to warn others of a fall.

• An emergency rescue team: Hopefully you won’t need it, but regardless an emergency response rescue team must be kept on standby to be ready in the event of an incident. There should be a team member in place on top of or just outside the entry point, a clear method of communication (e.g. radio), mechanical aids such as an emergency winch/tripod attached to an operative’s safety harness and sign in/out logs for commencement and completion of work.

Avoid entering confined spaces,by doing the work from outside

If entry to a confined space is unavoidable, develop and implement a safe system of work and Devise an appropriate emergency plan before the work starts.

1.Risk assess the confined space

2.Check level of oxygen

3.Check presence of hazardous gases like H2S, CO, CO2 etc

4.Barricade the area and show work in progress board

5.Prior working in the confined space take permit to work

6.Never work un-attended in a confined space. One person must be present outside the confined space to assist and help the one who is inside the confined space in case of emergency.

7. Use appropriate PPE's if risks cannot be controllable by administrative and engineering measurements.

A confined space is defined as an area: (1) large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; (2) has limited or restricted means for entry or exit, (e.g., storage tanks, process vessels, silos, bins, boilers, ventilation or exhaust ducts, sewers, underground utility vaults, tunnels, pipelines and open top spaces more than 4 feet in depth, such as pits, tubs, vaults, vessels and excavations are spaces that may have limited means of entry); and (3) is not designed for continuous human occupancy.

    This section is intended to protect employees from toxic, explosive or asphyxiating atmospheres and from possible engulfment from liquids or finely divided (flow able) solid substances. It focuses on areas with potential health or safety risks, denoting these as “permit-required” confined spaces.

    At a minimum, a confined space entry requires specialized training in confined space entry. A confined space entry team consists of an Entry Supervisor, authorized entrants, at least one attendant and a rescue team either on call or at the site.

    Each member of the rescue team shall be trained in basic first aid and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). At least one member of the rescue team holding current certification in first aid and in CPR shall be available.

    Each authorized entrant shall use a chest or full body harness, with a retrieval line attached at the center of the entrants back near shoulder level. The other end of the retrieval line shall be attached to a mechanical device or fixed point outside the confined space in such a manner that rescue can begin as soon as the rescuer becomes aware that rescue is necessary.

    A mechanical device should be available to retrieve personnel from vertical type permit spaces more than 2m deep.

    Atmospheric testing is required for two distinct purposes, evaluation of the hazards of the confined space and verification that acceptable entry conditions into that confined space exist.

    If the atmosphere is determined to be vapor free, electrical equipment may be used under the following conditions: (1) wall portable electric equipment is grounded or double insulated with low-voltage system power supply; (2) equipment is bonded to the tank to prevent static electricity; and (3) all low-voltage step-down transformers are located outside the enclosure.

 

    Air blowers shall be used where the size of the tank opening is so restricted that it does not allow enough fresh air to enter the tank through natural ventilation.

PREACUTION

1-If possible the other source doing the job without entring the confine space the follow that.

2-confined space work are carried out must be under the permit to wok.

3-Area barricade before start the work.

4-Oxygen Level must be test before entry oxygen level must be between 19.5 to 21

5-Must be ensure that there are any barried services.

6-Area must be Clean before entry.

7-Suitable exast ventilation system are must be in place.

8-All safety sing are must be put in place.

9-Restrict the entry of visitors and other worker.

10-Area must be well lit.

11-Confined space work must be carried out by competent person.

12-fire equipment are provide like extinguisher.

13-Attendend must be present there out side the confined space.

14-Means of communication must be provide.

15-full body harness are provide.

16-Continuous monitoring level of oxyge and gases using the gas test meter.

17-Appropriate PPE's must be provided (googles,Helmet. Respiratory mask,insulated ruber glover in case of buried survises,cover all,safety shoes etc

18-Rest and recovery breaks provide.

The following are the precautions one should undertake prior to entering inside a Confine Space 

 

. Confined Space Must be well Lit and Ventilated

. Atmospheric Gas Testing to be conducted 

. Access / Egress should be clear of any obstructions 

. Only Competant Person are allowed to carry on the task

. Appropriate Training to be given prior carrying out the task

. Supervisor's to be alloted for the work are as it is a critical activity 

. Person Undertaking The Work Should Have Taken Confined Space Permit 

. Lifeline Rope / Support must be provided for the person's entering the confined space

. Job Specific PPE's should be worn and carried along such as BA's 

. Work Area Should be Barricaded