Confined Space

HYer Standard

Procedure

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that confined spaces are managed in such a way to prevent injury to people from working in a confined space. This procedure applies to all HY projects where work in a confined space (as defined) is required.

Responsibilities

HY PROJECT TEAM:

Ensure risks associated with confined space activities have been assessed prior to work commencing and control measures implemented
Ensure atmospheric testing and monitoring is conducted if there is potential for atmospheric hazards to be present in confined spaces where work will be performed
Ensure applicable Work Permits are implemented prior to commencing work
Ensure only trained and competent persons perform work on site
Ensure worker competencies and qualifications are verified prior to commencing work
Ensure that SWMS are provided for any work that is carried out in or near a confined space

Hazard Identification Risk Assessment and Control (HIRAC)

All risks associated with confined spaces in the workplace are to be included in the project risk register. When conducting the project risk assessment consideration should be given to whether there is a risk to workers, including from:

The immediate effects of airborne contaminants
Fire or explosion from the ignition of flammable contaminants
Difficulty rescuing and treating an injured or unconscious person
Oxygen deficiency or immersion in a free-flowing material, such as grain, sand, fertiliser, water or other liquids
Electrical and mechanical hazards due to essential services and plant
Falls from a height
Biological hazards (e.g. animals, bird droppings, fungus, mould etc)
Environmental factors (e.g. extremes in temperature)
Noise from existing or introduced sources
Poor lighting
Manual handling

A confined space is determined by the following criteria:

HY will ensure that all confined spaces have been identified (as per the definition of a confined space) at a project site prior to work commencing. This includes ensuring that signs that identify the confined space and notify workers that they must not enter unless they have a confined space entry permit. HY will also take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorised entry to a confined space by, for example, using fixed barriers, locks, or other suitable security devices.

Confined Space Risk Assessment

A specific risk assessment must be undertaken by a competent person before undertaking any work activity associated with a confined space. The risk assessment must be recorded in writing. The risk assessment must be reviewed and revised by a competent person whenever any risks change.

The risk assessment must take into account all relevant matters, including:

Whether the work can be carried out without the need to enter the confined space
The nature of the confined space
If the hazard is associated with the concentration of oxygen or the concentration of airborne contaminants in the confined space including any change that may occur in that concentration
The work required to be carried out in the confined space, the range of methods by which the work can be carried out and the proposed method of working, and
The type of emergency procedures, including rescue procedures, required

A copy of the risk assessment must be kept until at least 28 days after the work to which it relates is completed, or if a notifiable incident occurs in connection with the work to which the assessment relates, for at least two years after the incident occurs. A copy of the risk assessment must be available to any relevant worker on request.

Atmospheric Testing and Monitoring

If a possible risk of atmospheric or airborne hazards associated with the confined space work has been identified, atmospheric testing and monitoring will need to be carried out by a competent person to determine the risk of performing work in the area. Atmospheric Testing must occur PRIOR to entry to the confined space.

Testing is to be carried out on a sufficient number of points to accurately reflect areas of the space that are likely to be accessed (e.g. side to side, top to bottom). Testing equipment must be calibrated as per the Plant and Equipment procedure.

Special consideration should be given to the likely contaminant/hazard and whether a specialist may be required to carry out further assessment.

An atmosphere is a hazardous atmosphere if:

The atmosphere does not have a safe oxygen level (i.e. unsafe if less than 19.5% or greater than 23.5% oxygen); or
The concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere increases the fire risk; or
The concentration of flammable gas, vapour, mist, or fumes exceeds 5% of the LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) for the gas, vapour, mist or fumes; or
A hazardous chemical in the form of a combustible dust is present in a quantity and form that would result in a hazardous area.

Monitoring must occur throughout the course of confined space work taking place. While work is being carried out in a confined space, atmosphere must be tested for:

oxygen content
airborne concentration of flammable contaminants, and
airborne concentration of potentially harmful contaminants

The results of air monitoring must be recorded and kept for a minimum of 30 years after the date the record has been made. Calibration records of equipment used for atmospheric testing and monitoring must be documented and obtained prior to testing/monitoring taking place.

Refer to Health Surveillance and Workplace Monitoring procedure for more information.

Confined Space Permit

A Confined Space permit must be raised in writing prior to confined works commencing. The permit must be completed and issued by a competent person (refer to Training and Competence section).

Subcontractors, Hansen Yuncken and any other stakeholder must not direct a worker to enter a confined space unless the worker has been issued with the Confined Space permit.

A Confined Space permit must be issued for each time work is to be carried out in a confined space. Each permit only applies to one confined space and allows one or more workers to enter that space.

Workers carrying out work in confined spaces must be provided with suitable and adequate information, training and instruction about the contents of the confined space entry permit in a way that is readily understandable.

A copy of the permit must be kept at least until the work is completed or, if a notifiable incident occurs, for at least two years after the confined space work to which the permit relates is completed.

Identification of Persons in Confined Space

The Confined Space permit must be used as a written record that all workers have exited the confined space on completion of the work. This is to be done by maintaining the Entry/Exit Log in the Confined Space permit. Workers must complete the log every time they enter and exit the confined space. It should be displayed in a prominent place at the confined space to facilitate signing and clearance.

Isolation

All potentially hazardous plant and services must be isolated prior to any person entering the confined space to prevent the:

Introduction of hazardous contaminants or conditions through piping, ducts, vents, drains, conveyors, service pipes and fire protection equipment
Activation or energising of machinery in the confined space
Activation of plant or services outside the confined space that could adversely affect the space (for example heating or refrigerating methods)
Release of any stored or potential energy in plant
Inadvertent use of electrical equipment

Refer to Isolation procedure.

Atmosphere

Steps must be taken to ensure that the atmosphere in a confined space:

Has a safe oxygen level (between 19.5% and 23.5% oxygen)
Is free of airborne contaminants or any airborne contaminants are in concentrations below their allowable exposure standard (if any), and
Containing any flammable gas, vapour or mist in the atmosphere is at concentrations below 5 per cent of its lower explosive level (LEL).

This may be achieved using methods such as cleaning, purging and ventilation.

Note: If the concentration of any flammable gas, vapour, or mist in the atmosphere of the confined space is equal to or greater than 5% but less than 10% of its LEL, workers in the confined space must be immediately removed from the space unless a suitably calibrated, continuous-monitoring flammable gas detector is used in the space. If an atmosphere reaches 10% of its LEL, workers must be removed immediately.

If it is not reasonably practicable to ensure the confined space contains a safe oxygen level, or safe levels of airborne contaminants, then appropriate air-supplied respiratory equipment (RPE) must be provided.

Communication and Safety Monitoring

Subcontractors must have a system of work that includes:

Continuous communication between those in the confined space and the standby person(s), and
Monitoring of conditions within the confined space by a standby person who is in the vicinity of the confined space and, if practicable, observing the work being carried out.
Communication and safety equipment as determined during the risk assessment and detailed on the entry permit

The communication system must enable communication between people inside and outside the confined space and to summon help in an emergency.

Standby Person

Before a worker enters a confined space, a standby person must be assigned to:

Continuously monitor the wellbeing of those inside the space
If practicable observe the work being carried out, and
Initiate appropriate emergency procedures when necessary

Understand the nature of the hazards inside the confined space and be able to recognise signs and symptoms that workers in the confined space may experience
Remain outside the confined space and do no other work which may interfere with their primary role of monitoring the workers inside the space
Have all required rescue equipment (e.g. safety harnesses, lifting equipment, lifeline, tripod, winch) immediately available
Have the authority to order workers to exit the space if any hazardous situation arises
Never enter the space to attempt rescue
Have current First Aid and CPR training
Have undertaken the required training to fulfil their role

Signs and Barricades

Before any work in relation to a confined space starts, signs must be erected to prevent entry of persons not involved in the work. Signs must warn against entry by people other than those who are listed on the Confined Space permit and must be placed at each entrance to the confined space.

Signs must be in place while the confined space is accessible, including when preparing to work in the space, during work in the space, and when packing up on completion of the work.

Signposting alone should not be relied on to prevent unauthorised entry to a potential confined space. Security devices, for example locks and fixed barriers, must also be installed.

Training and Competence

Information, training and instruction must be provided to all workers who undertake work associated with confined spaces, including workers who could:

Enter a confined space (including those carrying out emergency procedures)
Work in a confined space
Conduct a confined space risk assessment
Complete a confined space permit
Act as a standby person or communicate with workers in a confined space
Monitor conditions in the confined space
Supervisors of workers undertaking work in and associated with confined spaces

The information, training and instruction must be relevant to the nature and risk associated with the confined space. It must cover:

The nature of all hazards associated with a confined space
The need for, and appropriate use of, risk control measures
The selection, fit, use, wearing, testing, storage and maintenance of any PPE
The contents of any relevant confined space entry permit, and
Emergency procedures

All personnel conducting tasks associated with confined space must be trained and assessed as competent to conduct those tasks in accordance with AS 2865. Relevant records of training and competency of workers involved with confined space activities must be obtained by HY prior to works commencing.

All personnel that control the works in a confined space via permit issuing, operating gas detectors, or otherwise supervising a confined space must have completed the relevant advanced confined space training (e.g. Observe Permit Work, Gas Test Atmospheres, Issue Work Permits, Monitor and Control Work Permits).

All personnel entering a confined space must have a confined space ticket (i.e. Enter and Work in Confined Spaces).

Depending on the nature of the confined space, personnel that act as a standby person may also require training in undertaking rescue in a confined space but must only do so while remaining out of the confined space (e.g. operate a winch). This should be determined based on the confined space risk assessment..

Emergency Procedures

Where work in a confined space is required on a site, the procedures for the response to an emergency inside the confined space must be included in the Emergency Response Plan and in the SWMS. The risk assessment conducted for the work to be conducted in the space should be detailed and include the types of injuries that would potentially occur, and the type of emergency response required.

When establishing emergency procedures, the following must be considered:

The location of the confined space (including how accessible it is)
How workers will be able to communicate in the event of an emergency (including raising the alarm)
Whether rescue and resuscitation equipment will be needed
Capabilities of rescuers (including training, fitness for work)

Rescue should be performed from outside the confined space, if possible. Workers performing a rescue must be adequately trained and must be provided with air-supplied respiratory protective equipment if they enter a confined space in an emergency in which the atmosphere is not, or may not, be safe.

First aid and emergency rescue procedures should be rehearsed with relevant workers to ensure that they are efficient and effective.

Definitions and Abbreviations

Confined space – an enclosed or partially enclosed space that

is not designed or intended primarily to be occupied by a person; and
is, or is designed or intended to be, at normal atmospheric pressure while any person is in the space; and
is or is likely to be a risk to health and safety from:
an atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level; or
contaminants, including airborne gases, vapours and dusts, that may cause injury from fire or explosion; or
harmful concentrations of any airborne contaminants; or
Engulfment

LEL – Lower Explosive Limit

RPE – Respiratory Protective Equipment

References

Work Health & Safety Regulation 2011 (QLD), 2012 (SA/TAS) and 2017 (NSW) – Part 4.3 Confined spaces
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Victoria) – Part 3.4 Confined Spaces
Confined Spaces (Model Code of Practice)
AS 2865: Confined spaces
Federal Safety Commission (FSC) Audit Criteria – H6 Confined Space

Associated Documents

HYer Standard – Confined Space
Quick Guide – Personal Protective Equipment
Health Surveillance and Workplace Monitoring procedure
Isolation procedure
Plant and Equipment procedure
Work Permit procedure
HY Confined Space Risk Assessment and Permit