Confined Space Rescue

By
Shankar Murthy, NITIE Mumbai
 Confined Space Rescue
Contents
• Introduction
• Confined Space Hazard
• Prevention
• Rescue Procedure
 Introduction
• Confined space can be defined as one which, by
design, has limited openings for entry and exit or
unfavourable natural ventilation which contains or
produces dangerous air contaminants and is not
intended for continuous occupancy.
• Storage tanks, Compartments of ships, Process
vessels, Pits, Silos, Vats, Wells, Sewers, Digesters,
Boilers, Ventilation & exhaust ducts, Tunnels,
Underground utility vaults, Pipelines….etc.
• The hazard associated with confined space can
cause serious injury and death to workers
 Introduction….
• Two major factors lead to fatal injuries in confined
spaces:
a. Failure to recognise and control the hazards
b. Inadequate or incorrect emergency response
• Classification: -Open-topped enclosures with depths;
restricts natural movement of air (Pits, excavations)
- Enclosures with limited opening for entry & exit
(Sewers, silos, tanks)
• The hazard: material stored or used, process taking
place & external environment
• Entry in to confined space: Construction activities, or
during Cleaning, Repair or maintenance
 Confined Space Hazards
a. Oxygen Deficiency
• Occurs during chemical or biological reactions
which replace or consume oxygen
• Consumption of oxygen: combustion of
flammable substances; welding, cutting or
brazing- bacterial action as in fermentation
process
• Bacterial action in excavations & manholes;
garbage dumps, landfills or swampy areas
• Chemical reaction: formation of rust on
exposed surface of metal tanks, vats & ship
holds
 b. Oxygen Displacement
• Asphyxiates like Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide, Argon
etc. which are colourless & odourless gases in
sufficient quantities will displace oxygen and
result in an atmosphere unable to support
respiration
• If 100% Nitrogen –non-toxic, colourless,
odourless gas is used to inert (displace oxygen) a
confined space, it will cause immediate collapse
and death to the workers if the confined space is
not adequately ventilated before entry
• Video on Nitrogen Asphyxiation
 c. Flammable Atmospheres
• It refers to atmosphere generally results from
vaporisation of flammable liquids, by-products of
chemical reaction, enriched oxygen atmospheres
or concentration of combustible dusts.
• Three components: Fuel, Oxygen & source of
ignition [LEL & UEL]
• The concentrations below & above the fixed
range of each of the flammable/explosive gases
are either very poor or too rich to support
combustion
 d. Toxic Atmosphere
Toxic gases may be present in CS due to following reasons:
• Manufacturer uses toxic gases: Polyvinyl chloride –
Hydrogen chloride & Vinyl chloride, it may get absorbed
into walls & give off toxic gases when removed/cleaning
• Biological & Chemical process: decomposition of organic
matter in a tank/sump can liberate Hydrogen Sulphide
• Harmful gases: released from the vicinity being heaver
than air are likely to enter in the space
• Operations: hot work such as welding, cutting, brazing, or
painting, scraping, sanding, degreasing etc. [Nox, O3 & CO]
• Toxic gases: such as CO, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen
sulphide, arsenic, chlorine, Nox & Ammonia are
dangerous in CS
• Toxic gases are releases when acids are used for cleaning;
H2SO4 reacts with iron sulphide to produce hydrogen
sulphide, heaver than air so settles at the bottom
 e. Solvents
• Hydrocarbon solvents: used as degreasing agents
can cause unconsciousness by depressing the
central nervous system
• Certain chlorinated or fluorinated hydrocarbon
solvents are toxic to heart
• Hydrogen Sulphide is extremely toxic and
exposure can cause paralysis of the olfactory
system (making victim unable to smell the gas),
loss of reasoning, respiratory failure,
unconsciousness & death
 f. Physical Hazard
• Depending upon the nature of CS work make
it difficult to separate the worker from
hazardous form of energy: powered
machinery, electrical energy & chemical,
hydraulic & pneumatic lines
• Examples: 1. Activation of electrical or
mechanical equipment can cause injury: so
de-energise & lockout all electrical circuits and
physically disconnect mechanical equipment
 f. Physical Hazard…
2. Releasing the material through lines, which are an
integral part of the confined space
3.Falling objects: may be hazardous particularly topside
opening, may strike the workers
4. Extremely hot/cold can make work inside hazardous –
steam cooled
5. Wet surface: can cause fall, electrocution in areas
where electrical equipment, circuits & tools are used
6. Noise: amplified because of design and acoustic
properties of the CS, excessive noise can affect
communication
 g. Prevention
Confined Space Entry Permission
• Identification of all the CS at the plant
• Posting a warning sign at the entry of all the CS
• Evaluation of Hazards associated with each type of
CS
• A JSA for each task to be performed in the CS
• CS entry procedures
• Initial plan for entry
• Assigned standby person/s
• Communication between workers inside & standby
 h. Rescue Procedures
Specific work procedures within the CS include:
• Evaluation: work from outside/inside
• Issue of CS entry permit: type of work to be done,
& certifies that the space has been evaluated &
tested by a qualified person and that all
necessary protective measures have been taken
to ensure the safety of the worker
• Air quality: testing & monitoring – O2 level is at
least 19.5%, flammable range is less than 10% of
LFL and absence of all toxic air containments
 a. Confined-space preparations
• Isolation/lockout/tag-out
• Purging & ventilation
• Cleaning processes
• Requirements for special equipment & tools
 b. Safety equipment & protective
clothing for CS entry
• Head, hand, foot & body protection
• Hearing & respiratory protection
• Safety belts, lifelines, harness
• Mechanical-lift device-Tripod
 c. Training of workers & supervisors
To be trained in selection & use of
• Safe entry procedures
• Respiratory protection
• Lifeline & retrieval systems
• Protective clothing
• Training of employees in CS rescue procedure
• Conducting safety meetings to discuss CS safety
• Availability & use of proper ventilation equipment
• Monitoring the air quality while the workers are in
the CS
 d. Recommendations for CS entry &
Hot-work-permit
• Although a CS may initially have good air quality, any
subsequent “welding, brazing, thermal cutting etc.” can
cause rapid build up of toxic constituents,
displacement of oxygen by an inert or asphyxiating gas
or an excess of oxygen that might explode – careful
precaution to be taken to carryout hot job
• Before a worker enter a CS to perform any type of hot
job, a permit entry procedure to be followed,
authorisation to permit entry should be assigned to a
qualified person, and allowed to work only after all
necessary precautions have been taken
 e. Precaution to be taken before
permission is given
• All pipes, ducts, & power lines connected to the space but
not necessary to the operation must be disconnected/shut
off
• All shut-off valves & switches must be tagged & secured
with a safety lockout device
• Continuous mechanical ventilation must be provided when
welding or thermal cutting is conducted in CS, Oxygen is
generally not used for the purpose of ventilation
• Initial air quality should be performed to determine the
presence of flammable or explosive materials and toxic
chemicals, also oxygen levels, entry should be prohibited
when flammable concentration is greater than 10% of the
LFL
• Gas cylinders & power sources must be located in a secure position
outside the space
• A designated worker must be stationed outside the CS to maintain the
visual & voice contact as & when necessary.
• He must be equipped with appropriate protective gear in the
designated position for full duration of the time
• The worker entering the CS: fitted with safety harness, a life &
appropriate personal protective clothing (PPE) & equipment including
a respirator
• When not in use torches (less than 24 Volts)& other gas or oxygen
supplying equipment must be removed from the CS
• All welders & persons supporting them should be trained in following
areas:
– emergency entry/exit procedure
– use of applicable respirators
– first-aid lockout procedure
– Use of safety equipment
– Rescue operation procedures
– Permit-to-work system
– Good & safety work practices
• The type of respirators required depends on the
concentration of oxygen and contaminants that
might be generated: range from none to a self-
contained breathing apparatus with a full face-
piece operated in pressure-demand or positive-
pressure mode
• Oxygen deficiencies are of particular concern
when welding in CS is carried out, the normal
21% may be decreased due to chemical or
biological processes: below 16.8% by volume a
worker may have difficulty remaining alert,
when ever it falls below 19.5% appropriate
respirators must be used
Case study & Discussion