Confined Space Procedure

INTRODUCTION

Confined space means any enclosed or partially enclosed space having restricted access or
egress, a potential for a hazardous atmosphere, and which due to it’s nature may form a
trap and become a life-threatening environment.

Example of Confined Space at Qaiwan Steel Factory:

RESPONSIBILITY

Where confined space work is to be performed by personnel, responsibility for safety, both
at the time of entry and during the entire operations, rests with the on-site supervisors,
standby/rescue personnel and workers entering the confined space. This includes making
sure that adequate steps have been taken to eliminate or control the hazards present.

HAZARDS

Hazards commonly encountered in confined spaces include:

 Toxic substances in hazardous concentrations, hydrocarbon gases.

 Flammable gases, vapors and liquids with potential for fire or explosion -- above 10%
of the lower explosive limit (LEL) or 0% LEL if hot work is required).

 Lack of oxygen causing asphyxiation (oxygen content below 20% by volume is

considered oxygen deficient and cannot be approved for entry).
  Oxygen enriched atmospheres (oxygen content greater than 23% by volume).

 Electric shock or ignition of flammable gases from portable lights, tools, or

associated electrical equipment. Use only approved equipment in good condition.

 Injury from mechanical equipment.

 Bodily injury from direct contact with corrosives or irritants.

 Contaminants entering from other areas

 Ignition from static electricity.

 Physical hazards, e.g., excessive heat or cold, etc.

 Slip, trips and Falls.

TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION

The work to be performed shall be under the direction of a competent supervisor who is
knowledgeable of the hazards that may be encountered, with hazardous atmospheres and
fire. The supervisor must be knowledgeable of accident prevention requirements and ensure
appropriate first aid and rescue measures are in place.

All personnel connected with or performing the work in the confined space shall, before
entry, be informed of the hazards they may encounter, precautions required, and rescue
methods needed in an emergency.

Personnel who are unfamiliar with confined space work shall be thoroughly trained.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Appropriate personal protection, e. g., clothing, gloves, boots, eye, face, respiratory
apparatus, might be worn to meet the requirements of the job.
 Where concentration of combustible gas or vapours are clearly below 10% of the lower
explosive limit (LEL), entry into a confined space can be made provided that the appropriate
respiratory and/or skin protective devices are used.

However, if any percentage of flammable gases are detected, gas testers must continuously
monitor the confined space atmosphere while personnel are inside.

Sign to be placed near Confined Space:

‫! ! ! ! مةترسى دارة‬
)‫شوَينَيكى داخراوة (تةسكة‬
‫ثَيويست بة ِر َيداننامة دةكات بَو كاركردن‬

!!!! ‫خطر‬
 ‫منطقة عمل محصورة‬
‫يتطلب دخولها الحصول على رخصة‬

TESTING

Sampling for airborne contaminants (i.e. combustible gas, oxygen deficiency, hazardous
chemicals and physical hazards) must be conducted by qualified personnel. Instruments
must be calibrated before and after use and all results documented.

ISOLATION

The supervisor in charge must ensure that the confined space is checked for all potential
hazards.

Before any personnel enter a confined space it must be isolated by using an isolation
procedure such as blanking, blinding, separating and plugging, by double bloc and bleed, or
other equally effective methods of preventing contaminants from entering the confined
space.

All power driven internal equipment and any other power sources must be locked in the off
position at the main fuse or breaker panel and tagged out. As a double check before entry,
the machine control switch must be operated to ensure that the power source is de-
energised. Any agitation equipment must be secured against accidental movement.

VENTILATION
 Mechanical ventilation equipment shall be provided when it's necessary.

Procedure:

The hazards inherent in confined space entry can be avoided or overcome if the following
precautions are applied each and every time a worker enters a confined space.

Specific written procedures (e.g. Work Permit) must be prepared to include all
considerations contained in this document, plus any additional information needed to
accomplish the task safely.

When the confined space work calls for personnel to wear self-contained or air supplied
breathing apparatus, rescue in the event of an emergency may be difficult, therefore
personnel must wear a body harness with a lifeline attached and leading to a standby
person.

There must be a standby person at the confined space entry site. A rescue plan must also
have been formulated before work has commenced.

A written rescue plan shall be maintained and followed.

The rescue plan shall include at a minimum:

An assessment of the hazard

Gas testing/monitoring equipment.

Personnel required to perform the rescue.

 Precautions to be taken while in the confined space.

Personnel protective equipment to be used.

Rescue equipment needed.

Tools or other special equipment needed.

A means of communication shall be provided and a system of signals agreed to and

understood by all of the personnel involved.

This plan must be reviewed before the permit is initially issued and anytime personnel
change, e.g. at shift change.

In all cases of confined space entry, a trained person shall be posted outside of the
entry/exit in order to handle emergencies. Circumstances may require more than one
person posted at different access/entry points.

The standby person shall be in constant communication with the personnel in the confined
space and rescue equipment available at all times in the event of an emergency.

Safety belts and lifelines will be used by personnel entering a confined space that is
suspected of having a hazardous atmosphere and shall be attended by a trained standby
person. If the area is determined to be safe for entry through atmospheric testing, then the
lifelines are no longer necessary.

The standby person must be aware of their responsibilities and be trained as rescue team
member..
 Beware of confined space deficiencies. Always test the atmosphere for its oxygen content
before entry or re-entry after a work break. Minimum oxygen content shall be no less than
20% by volume.

The supervisor must notify the standby person of any dangerous situations which may arise
in the area of the confined space.

Where any ignition source is to be introduced into the confined space, a combustible gas
test of the atmosphere in the confined space is required immediately prior to
commencement of the job and continuously throughout the job to ensure zero percent
Lower Explosive Limit (0% LEL) is maintained.

Prior to entry, review written procedure to ensure personnel are aware of their
responsibilities and the appropriate Work Permit have been issued.

ENTRY

Following thorough review of the requirements outlined in this document and other
additional site specific items listed on the entry permit, entry into the confined space can
proceed.

Any manways or openings to the confined space which must remain open prior to issuing an
entry permit or after the permit expires must be barricaded and a “DO NOT ENTER” sign posted
over the opening.

10.12 JOB COMPLETION

At the end of a job, the supervisor must make a thorough check to ensure that no personnel,
tools or equipment have been left behind.

Ensure all isolation devices have been removed and valves returned to their correct
positions and that the vessel has been purged to ensure that air containing oxygen has been
removed.
 Ensure that the Work Permit is returned to the responsible supervisor for final review and
filing before the equipment is returned to service.

Form to be used

Confined Spaces

Special Risk Assessment

The person who is carrying out work that is likely to change the designation
of an area must complete this document.

Site and Location and present Designation of the area in which work will be
carried out:

Description of the work:

Potential Hazards:
Persons at Risk:

Existing Control Measures:

Proposed Additional Control Measures:

Revised or Temporary Designation:

Name of Person completing this form: (Print) ____________________________

Base: _______________ Tel: ________________ Signature _________________

Cancellation:

Work is completed and the area has returned to its original designation of:
_________________________________________________________________

Print Name _____________________ Signature _________________________

 LOG IN & OUT SHEET for Confined Space Entry

DATE: ................................................. CONFINED SPACE ENTRY NUMBER: ...................................

Area ........................................ CONFINED SPACE WATCH: .....................................................

GAS TEST COMPLETE: ..................................Sign............................................. TIME: ........................

CO

O2 % READING LEL % READING

STAND BY
NO. NAME TIME IN SIGN TIME OUT SIGN
PERSON

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.
12.

13.

14.

15.

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24.
 Confined Space PTW:

Qaiwan Steel Factory PERMIT NO:

PERMIT REQUESTOR NAME : DATE: SIGNATURE:

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF CONFINED SPACE AND WORK:

PRECAUTIONS AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT  (Pls. tick the box if required)

1. Gas Test......................................................... 10. Confined Space Notification Sign on the Entry....... 



2. Trained Stand-by.......................................….. 11. Depressurise Equipment.......................….………..

 

3. Entry Log........................................….….….… 12. Ventilation Fans...................………………...........

 

4. Emergency Communication..............................  13. Lifeline and Harness...............................………….



5. Lighting............................................................ 14. Supplied Air Equipment............................... .………

 

6. Rescue Equipment.......................................... 15. Lines Blinded-Blocked-Bled.............……………….

 

7. Safe Means of Entry-Exit................................. 16. Valves Lockout-Tagout.....................……………….

 

8. Gas Monitor to Remain at Job......................... 17. Emergency Rescues Entry and Exit have been
 Addressed……………………...................................


9. Warning Signs / Lights..................................... 18. Other (specify).............................................................

 
ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS (Pls. write)

Approval by Safety
Name: Sign: Date: Time:

All of the required precautions mentioned above are must during the identified job in this permit.
Permit Issued By
Name: Sign: Date: Time:
Permit Received By
Name: Sign: Date: Time:

The work to which this permit applies has been completed/suspended and all necessary personnel have been informed. The work area has
been returned to its normal condition.
Work Completed By
Name: Sign: Date: Time:
Permit Closed By
Name: Sign: Date: Time:

Prepared by Subhan Najat Date: Signature

Approved by Hazim Hasanen Date: Signature