CONFINED

SPACE
AWARENESSS

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Training Objectives
❑ To explain what constitutes a confined
space.
❑ To understand what controls should be
in place when confined space entry is
to be undertaken.
❑ To understand the requirements of a
confined space attendant.
❑ To provide details on where additional
information can be obtained.

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Confined Space Definition
❑ Confined Space is any space that meets
all of the following criteria:
⚫ Is large enough and shaped so that a person
can enter to perform assigned work;
⚫ Has limited or restricted means of entry and
exit;
⚫ Is not designed for continuous human
occupancy;
⚫ Contains or has the potential to contain a
hazardous atmosphere and could present a
safety hazard

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Confines Space – Basic Types
❑ Confined Spaces can be broken into two basic
types:
⚫ Open-topped enclosures with depths which a depth
that can restrict the natural movement of air
➢ Whenever the depth is at or greater than 1.5
meters (5 feet) deep
❖ Examples: Oily water separators, pits, open-top
floating roof tank, trenches, excavations, etc.
❑ Enclosures with limited opening for entry and
exit
⚫ Tanks, vessels, boilers, tanker truck trailers, rail cars,
ducting, etc.

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Confined Spaces
The followings are some typical examples of confined
spaces that may be found at a facility:
❑ Storage tanks or other type of vessels
❑ Tank truck compartment or rail tank cars.
❑ A floating roof whenever the roof is at 1.5m (5
ft.) or greater below the tank top rim
❑ Oily water separator’s chambers
❑ Sub pump pits
❑ Duct Work
❑ Drainage or other Sewer systems
❑ Excavations (when they are at 1.5 meters or
greater in depth)
❑ Trenches (when they are at 1.5m or greater in
depth) Rev. 1
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Preparation for a Confined
Space Entry
Prior to entry into a confined space it must be
properly prepared and assessed for entry. includes:
❑ Conducting a Hazards Assessment
(Planning Phase)
❑ Developing an emergency Response plan.
❑ Positively Isolating the confined space, if it is a
tank, vessel etc.
❑ Ventilating space (by natural ventilation or
forced ventilation methods).
❑ Cleaning (e.g. Use of a vacuum system or
air driven pump to remove residual product).
❑ Preparing signage and barricades.
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Isolation of Confined Spaces

❑ All confined spaces to be entered shall

be completely and positively isolated
from all energy sources (e.g. product
lines, steam lines, electrical circuits,
etc.).
⚫ Positive isolation of piping shall be at
the closes flange to the vessel
❑ Positive Isolation must be done at the
nearest connection (pipe flange, pipe
spool, circuit breaker etc.) to the
equipment or confined space.
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Ventilation

❑ Where practicable all the man-ways of a

vessel should be removed to increase
ventilation.
⚫ Forced ventilation should be started gradually
just prior to initial removal of the first man-way
to prevent pulling a vacuum
❑ Mechanical (forced) ventilation is normally
quicker and safer than natural ventilation.
❑ Motors used on eductors or fans must be
suitable for use in a hazardous area (use
either air driven or if an electrical motor
driven fan it must be explosion proof
electrical equipment).
❑ Air movers and all ducting must be
electrically bonded to the tank or vessel
being vented to minimize the risk of a static
discharge “sparking”. 8
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Ventilation con’t

❑ Mechanical ventilation should not extract the air so fast

as to create a vacuum inside the confined space.
⚫ This is especially the case when the man-ways are still closed.
❑ Ensure vented vapors educted are being discharging to a safe
area.
❑ Pure Oxygen should never be used to purge a confined
space or to increase the oxygen level inside of a confined
space.
❑ Gas Testing prior to entry into a confined space must ensure
that there is sufficient oxygen.
⚫ (Explosive meters (gas Testing Instruments) do not
function properly in an oxygen deficient environment)
⚫ There must be 16% to 20.8% Oxygen present to ensure % LEL is
reading correctly.

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Ventilation con’t

❑ Air discharging from ventilating equipment

should wherever possible be discharged at
a height where natural air currents can
assist in the dispersion of the vapors.
⚫ Venting in locations such as near communities
and businesses may require:
⚫ Vented vapors to be routed the through carbon
scrubbers to eliminate noxious vapors, etc.

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Gas Testing for Entry

❑ Conduct gas test readings to be taken in the following

order:
⚫ Oxygen (Oxygen 15% or higher to test for flammable vapors)

⚫ Flammable vapors
⚫ Toxic vapors

❑ Typical toxic vapors that can exist inside a confine space

includes, but are not be limited to:
⚫ Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
⚫ Benzene
⚫ Carbon monoxide
⚫ Carbon dioxide
❑ Continuous gas testing should be undertaken whenever
personnel are performing work inside a confined space.
❑ Client information on gas testing to be checked
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Hazard Assessment
❑ Hazards Assessment is done in which phase of the work?
❑ Who should conduct the proposed job tasks hazard
assessment?
❑ Confined Space Entry is to always be considered as a high risk
job task and a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) or and equivalent
process is required completed.
⚫ The JSA must be reviewed and approved by the relevant
facility’s management.
❑ The hazards Assessment should consider work that will be
required to go on inside the confined space such as:
⚫ Welding fumes, paint fumes, solvent vapors, oxidation
(rust), oxygen consumption, etc.)
❑ Minimum PPE requirements must be identified.
❑ If entry requires personnel to use a respirator only personnel
trained in their use and medically certified to use it can enter.
❑ Lighting requirements (e.g. explosion proof powered via a
GFCB or use of low voltage lighting)
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Hazards Risk Assessment
(Planning Stage)
❑ Competent personnel must complete a risk assessment
during the planning stage for entry into the confined
space.
The assessment must take into account the following:
❑ The nature of the confined space;
⚫ Open top enclosures at a depth of 1.5 M (5 feet) or greater
⚫ Equipment/vessels, etc with limited access for entry and
exit
❑ The work required to be done, including it is necessary
to enter the confined space;
❑ The range of methods by which the work can be done;
❑ The hazard involved and associated risks;
❑ Emergency and rescue procedures.
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Additional Hazards
In addition to the hazards associated with the
confined space, confined space entries can also
involve the following additional hazards:
❑ Limited body movement (cramped conditions)
❑ High Temperatures (Heat Stress)
❑ Noise (High Decibels)
❑ Restricted (limited) vision
❑ Loose and or falling objects striking personnel
Note: All of these additional factors can result in work
taking longer than would normally be expected and must
be considered during the planning phase of the confined
space work.
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 An Oxygen Enriched
No Entry Atmosphere Exists

23.5 % O2
Without Respiratory Protection if:
• LEL 0%
Entry is • Benzene < 0.5 ppm
• Hydrogen Sulfide < 5 ppm
Allowed • CO < 25 PPM
• Total Hydrocarbons < 300 ppm
• Temperature < 43.3 C (110 F)

Entry with Providing: 19.5 % O2

• LEL < 10%
Supplied • Toxic vapours below their IDLH
Breathing Air • Temperature < 43.3 C (110 F)

16.5 % O2
No Entry Insufficient Oxygen to sustain
life
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Emergency Action Plan
An emergency plan must be developed before entry is
allowed into a confined space.
The emergency plan must be displayed at the work
site, adjacent to the confined space.
The plan must, as a minimum, detail the following:
❑ Procedures for reporting emergencies
❑ Notification of trained rescue personnel
❑ Rescue equipment to be available on site
❑ Emergency escape routes
❑ Procedures for authorized entrants to the space
❑ The designated emergency assembly area
❑ Rescue and first aid procedures and duties 16
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Confined Space Attendant

❑ A trained Entry Watch (attendant) must

always be present at the entry point of the
confined space entry whenever people are
entering or are inside.
⚫ Additional Entry Watch (attendants) may
be required under some circumstances.

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Confined Space Attendant
❑ The Entry Watch attendants’ must be adequately
trained in their duties and responsibilities, which
includes:
⚫ Control Entry into the confined space maintaining
an entry & exit log
⚫ Maintain contact with people inside the space.
⚫ Clear the personnel from the confined space if the
site conditions change or facility alarm sounds
⚫ Raise the alarm if a problem occurs inside of the
confine space
⚫ Ensure gas testing results are within acceptable
limits and properly taken at recorded as required
by permit.
⚫ Be aware to changing conditions that may present
a hazard and clear the space if unsafe conditions
arise.
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Confined Space
– Additional Information

❑ For additional details on confined space

entry requirements refer to:
⚫ Your companies general operating
procedures/standards/guidelines covering:
➢ General Work
➢ Hot Work
➢ Gas Testing
➢ Isolation
➢ Excavation
➢ Work at height
⚫ Your Company’s Safety Officer

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