Confined spaces brief
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A1 Training & Safety 2013 Confined Spaces Awareness Training Course
description
This presentation is designed to help with "Confined Space Awareness"
Transcript of Confined spaces brief
A1 Training & Safety 2013
Confined Spaces Awareness Training Course
A1 Training & Safety 2013
Confined Spaces
Course objective
To provide awareness training for confined space hazards The safe systems of work used in confined spaces.
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THE CONFINED SPACE REGULATIONS
Regulation 4 states “no person at work shall enter a confined space to carry out work for any purpose unless it is not reasonably practicable to achieve that purpose without such entry”
Regulation 5 states “Without prejudice to regulation 4 of these Regulations, no person at work shall enter or carry out work in a confined space unless there have been prepared in respect of that confined space suitable and sufficient arrangements for the rescue of persons in the event of an emergency, whether or not arising out of a specified risk ”
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CONFINED SPACE KEY DUTIES
1. avoid entry to confined spaces, e.g. by doing the work from outside;
2. if entry to a confined space is unavoidable, follow a safe system of work; and
3. put in place adequate emergency arrangements before the work starts.
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WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?
A space that:
• Is large enough and so configured that an employee can enter bodily and perform work;
• Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit;
• Is not designed for continuous human occupancy.
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Open topped chambers
Trenches
Ductwork
Unventilated or poorly ventilated rooms
Void spaces
Confined Spaces
Examples of Confined spaces:
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Main Hazards:
Flammable substances
Oxygen enrichment / deficiency
Toxic gas, fume or vapour
Hazards effects:
Serious injury from fire or explosion Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation from dangerous fumes etc.
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Oxygen:
We need 19-23% oxygen to breathe
Oxygen deficiency can be caused by
oxidation, combustion or bacterial growth or by
displacement by another gas, e.g. argon.
Oxygen enrichment can be caused by
leaks in oxygen lines or cylinders.
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Effects of oxygen concentration:
100% Brain Damage
19-23% Normal, safe levels
16% Increase heart-rate/breathing drowsiness and
nausea
12% Unconsciousness
6% DEATH !
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Oxygen deficiency symptoms:
Headaches Difficulty in focusing Co-ordination difficulties Dizziness Fainting Falling down / tripping
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Bottled Gases:
Never use bottled gases in confined spaces
May not have stenching agent added
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Confined Spaces
Argon:
Main shielding/Purging gas on site Argon is not visible Argon is odourless (not stenched) Argon is tasteless Argon is heavier than air
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Nitrogen comprises 78% of the air we breathe.
Nitrogen Is an inert gas
Slightly lighter than air 0.95 (air =1)
Nitrogen is used in large quantities to purge voids etc.
If insufficient oxygen is present, high nitrogen concentrations cause asphyxiation and death in seconds.
Nitrogen
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Before a space is entered:
A safe system of work must be in place. A competent person MUST have atmosphere tested
the area. Read and understand the risk assessment. Obtain and use the correct PPE. Supervisor informed. SAM and extraction in place. Each person must wear a PAM in all circumstances. Do not enter alone ! FOR ANY REASON.
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Typical Entry Certificates:
Confined Spaces
HOT WORK CLEAN & PAINT COLD WORK
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Before entering check date and time are within 14 hours
Confined spaces
Entry certificatesContinuation Certificate:
Oxygen levels are checked every 14 hrs or less for all types of work
Contact Confined space team after 14 hrs if access required
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Monitoring:
Air checks every 14
hours by confined spaces
team.
SAM’s in all confined
spaces monitoring
oxygen content.
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Ventilation:
Minimum One extraction hose per tank to vent
Pipe identified by “Tank Extraction” every 1 metre
Additional extraction hose for your process
Do not move one. Remember it’s there to save your life and others
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Personal Air Monitor PAM:
• All Personnel MUST have a PAM with them.
• Check that the PAM registers 19.3% - 23%
• Upon activation:95 Db audible alarm, Red flashing light, Vibrates
• You should immediately vacate the area and inform your supervisor
• Any defects should be reported & unit returned to the point of issue
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Confined Spaces
Safe Air Monitor Demo
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No entry:
No extraction or ventilation
No atmosphere testing
No emergency lighting
No detection equipment
Gross misconduct
Confined spaces
Entering could cost you your life!
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Emergency procedures:
Evacuate the confined space
Don’t attempt the rescue yourself
Get help immediately!
Use emergency contact procedure
Give details of confined space location
Lead the professionals to the incident
Stay outside the confined space
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Learning from experience:
Worker asphyxiated by chemical fumes whilst working in a tank Build up of Propane in unidentified confined space causing severe burns when ignited.
Fatality following a pressurised suit being connected to an argon supply.
8 workers killed due to an oxygen leak.
3 Contractors Killed emptying tanks.
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ANY QUESTIONS?
