Facilities and Estates Working in Confined Spaces...

Facilities and Estates

Working in Confined Spaces: Standard Operating Procedure

Document Control Summary

Status: New

Version: v1.0 Date: February 2016

Author/Title: Owner/Title:

John Biggs - Estates Officer Robert Graves - Director of Facilities and Estates

Approved by: Policy and Procedures Committee Date: 17 March 2016

Ratified: Policy and Procedures Committee Date: 17 March 2016

Related Trust Strategy and/or Strategic Aims

To meet Statutory Compliance and Health and Safety Requirements

Implementation Date: March 2016

Review Date: March 2019

Key Words: Confined Spaces

Associated Policy or Standard Operating Procedures

Health and Safety Policy

Contents

1.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 2

2.0 Purpose ..................................................................................................................... 2

3.0 Scope ........................................................................................................................ 2

4.0 Functional Aspects of Working in Confined Spaces ............................................. 3

5.0 Process for Monitoring Compliance and Effectiveness ...................................... 18

6.0 References .............................................................................................................. 19

Appendix 1 - Management Structure ............................................................................... 20

Appendix 2 Confined Spaces Classifications ................................................................ 21

Appendix 3 Flowchart Number 1 ...................................................................................... 22

Appendix 4 Flowchart Number 2 ...................................................................................... 23

Appendix 6 - Basic PPE Equipment ............................................................................... 24

Appendix 7 NC 1&2 Classification ................................................................................... 26

Appendix 8 N.C – Classification 3 & 4 ............................................................................ 27

Appendix 9 Confined Space Labels ................................................................................ 28

Working in Confined Spaces SOP/March 2016

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Change Control – Amendment History

Version Dates Amendments

1.0 Introduction

The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 are in place to protect staff and others against risks

to their health while working in a confined space.

A confined space means any place, including any chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe,

sewer, flue, well, or other similar space in which, by the virtue of its enclosed nature, there

arises a reasonably foreseeable specified risk.

A confined space is firstly a place which is substantially (though not always entirely)

enclosed and, secondly, there will be a reasonably foreseeable risk of serious injury from

hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby

2.0 Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to outline the steps to be taken by South Staffordshire and

Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to ensure that staff or others do not work in

confined spaces where it can be avoided. Where this is not possible a written suitable and

sufficient risk assessment must be undertaken and a safe system of work developed.

This Estates procedure is to ensure safe access and egress into confined spaces for work

/inspection and testing activities is managed and controlled.

When entry into confined spaces is unavoidable, all hazards should have been considered

and there are sufficient safe systems of work and emergency arrangements in place that will

reduce the risk of injury to the persons involved

This procedure will also ensure statutory compliance with relevant legislation

3.0 Scope

This procedure is applicable to Trust staff and their contractors working within the Trust

buildings or on their premises and also to any properties managed by the Trust.


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4.0 Functional Aspects of Working in Confined Spaces

4.1 The Trust's Estates Department shall implement a management regime to control and Operate the Safe Working in confined spaces within and on the Trusts properties / Estate

and any other properties they may be responsible for.

4.2 The Law

The law states that a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks must be undertaken for all

work activities for the purpose of deciding what measures are necessary for safety.

For work in confined spaces this means identifying the hazards present, assessing the risks

and determining what precautions to take.

The Confined space Regulations 1997 requires that –

Entry into confined spaces is avoided if at all possible

A safe system of work is used to control entry and work in confined spaces

Arrangements are put in place to deal with emergency situations

4.3 Roles and Responsibilities

4.3.1 Duty Holder The Chief Executive as the Duty Holder ensures that the Trust has an effective Health and Safety management regime to ensure the safe working in confined spaces. 4.3.2 Designated Person

This is a requirement of Health and Safety Regulations. The designated person is an individual appointed by the Trust (a board member or a person with responsibilities to the board) who has the responsibility for Health and Safety for the premises who as a duty under the health and safety at work act 1974 to prepare and issue a general policy statement on health and safety at work, including the organisational arrangement for carrying out that policy or procedure. 4.3.3 Responsible Persons Operational The Director of Facilities and Estates shall appoint suitably trained people to be the Responsible Persons for the management of working in confined spaces. 4.3.4 Deputy Responsible Persons Operational The Director of Facilities and Estates shall appoint suitably trained people to become Deputy Responsible Persons for the management and supervision of competent persons when working in confined spaces. 4.3.5 Supervising Persons Operational Supervisors shall have awareness training for working in confined spaces


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4.3.6 Competent Persons both operational Staff & Contractors Competent persons must be trained and registered as being able to work in confined spaces 4.4 Authorisation Competence to work in confined spaces and to issue permits to enter should be reviewed by managers every year and an appropriate entry made on the persons appraisal form. Managers should not authorise people to work in confined spaces based on their having attended a training course alone, on the job training / real experience whilst under supervision is required. Reasonable steps should be taken to check that contractors also comply with this requirement. A person who is authorised to issue permits must be appointed by a senior manager 4.5 Authorised Confined Space Permit issuers – It is the responsibility of the Responsible person or their deputy to issue and cancel all permit to enter and or work for entry into confined spaces for both Direct employed staff are contractors employed for SSSFT. To issue a permit the Responsible person or their deputy is required to confirm that all necessary safety checks have been satisfactorily completed prior to enter and any works commencing in a confined space. The RP OR DRP is required to declare that it is safe to work in a particular confined space which will have been isolated / purged / ventilated as required by the relevant emergency plan subject to the satisfactory completion of the initial peak gas monitoring readings. They will confirm that all persons entering the confined space are competent to do so and that they understand the relevant EP to which they will be working, including all safety arrangements. The extent of the work will have been confirmed and agreed with the Competent Person to which the permit is being issued To cancel a permit the RP / DRP is required to declare that the work described in the permit has been satisfactorily completed or stopped noting any further necessary actions. The RP/DRP must be satisfied that the site has been returned to a safe condition and is safe to operate. 4.6 Top Man The Top man must be competent to carry out the following duties –

Coordinating the entry to and exit from the confined space

Maintaining continuous communication with the entry team

Inspecting and using the safety equipment

Being able to identify changes to conditions, which could affect the safety of the entry team


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Raising the alarm in the event of an emergency and passing on information to the emergency services

4.7 Capital works The capital works management team and project leaders shall liaise before any specifications or instructions are generated or before the first site meeting is arranged for any scheme with the Responsible persons or their Deputy of the Trust and discuss and agree the issue of permit to work for confined spaces for the projects and / or works. The above procedure for the capital team shall also apply for the ongoing or developing situations. 4.8 Future Design of Confined Spaces Regulation 11 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM) places a duty on designers to ensure that and design includes adequate regard to the need to avoid foreseeable risks to the health and safety of any person on the structure at any time All designers therefore need to consider minimizing the future need to enter a confined space Consideration should be given at the design stage to cleaning, inspection and maintenance work that may be required. Where entry cannot be avoided, access arrangements shall meet or exceed the standards Set out in the Confined Spaces Regulations 4.9 Contractors It must be ensured that all contractors carrying out works on SSSFT sites are informed of the presence of confined spaces where necessary and ensure that they comply with this standard operating procedure. The SSSFT standard operating procedure for confined spaces shall be deemed to be the minimum standard to be complied with Contractors entering and working or carrying out any activity in SSSFT confined spaces must ensure that their practices conform to SSSFT procedures. No contractor will be allowed access to confined space without contact / discussions with the estates supervising officer The Permit to enter shall be issued by the Trusts Responsible officer or their Deputy unless responsibility is expressly transferred to a principle contractor within the scope of a capital scheme If it has been established that a contractor cannot complete their work without the need to enter a confined space, then a safe method of work must be established that strictly adheres to the requirements of the designation of that particular confined space All contractors must be able to provide certified evidence that they are trained and competent to work in confined spaces. Evidence of the contractor having carried out work under similar conditions


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Contractors working for or within the SSSFT premises shall be informed of any known additional hazards to which they could be exposed SSSFT Trust staff will comply with contractors safe systems when visiting sites or parts of sites under their control IF confined space work is to be contracted out to others or is of a specialist nature that involves the work being carried out in full or partially by others then an assessment and confirmation of competence for the contractor / sub-contractor involved is to be carried out by the relevant Responsible Person or their Deputy. 4.10 Management of Contractors Contractors shall be managed by the Facilities and Estates managers and / or supervising officers in accordance with the Trusts management control of contractors policy 4.11 Facilities contractors / staff Should the Facilities Department require any work to be undertaken in a confined space location then they shall liaise with the Estates Responsible persons or their Deputy within the Trust and agree the issue of a Permit to enter / work. 4.12 On call requirements Should there be a need for a person to enter a confined location out of working hours the on call Facilities and Estate manger should liaise with the responsible Person or their Deputy 4.13 Method statements & Risk assessments Method statements and risk assessments shall be in place and approved by the Responsible Persons and or / their Deputy before any work or any person enters a confined space. The risk assessment should take into account – Type of work to be done The suitability of those doing the work Present and previous contents Rates of flow The weather – wind, rain, frost Amount of ventilation Atmosphere quality – the working environment The duration of the task – safe tools, generation of fumes or dust The distance to be travelled Lighting level Noise level Plant and machinery present and /or needed Access/egress/movement difficulties Suspension points for winch Underfoot conditions Structure – damage, obstructions, loose debris Any other local conditions Liaison with local emergency services


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Method statements for both direct staff and from contractors must include the details of the safe system of work for entry into confined spaces. 4.14 Permit to Enter Important note – No one shall enter a confined space without the specific approval of the Responsible Person or their Deputy of the Trust. The permit – to – enter may need to be supported by the issue of any other permit to works which may be applicable or appropriate for the proposed works, inspections, tests or activity to be undertaken. A permit –to-enter which lasts for the working day or shift is issued at the site by the Responsible person or their deputy immediately before entry. It will describe in detail all the precautions to be taken and the procedures to be followed and includes a pre –entry checklist Permit writers are not permitted to issue permits to themselves In general contractors entering confined spaces may only do so provided a permit –to-enter has been issued by SSSFT appointed Responsible person or their deputy. A permit is normally closed by the Responsible person who issued it or their deputy. Entries by contractors into operational SSSFT confined spaces are normally subject to a permit – to – enter issued by the Responsible Person or their deputy of the SSSFT estates department Contractors may possibly be allowed to issue their own permit- to – enter under the following circumstances Where confined spaces have been isolated, de-commissioned and handed over to the contractor On new work – prior to commissioning Where written permission has been given by the Responsible person or their deputy of the SSSFT estates department A permit can only be issued for a period up to a working day If unsafe working is observed by any SSSFT employee or any contractor the permit can be cancelled and the works / activity stopped 4.15 Safety Persons When assessing the need for the issue of a Permit to enter for confined Spaces it should be considered if a safety person should be in attendance for the full duration of the activity. 4.16 Rescuers Specifically trained rescuers shall be available at the site. The relevant EP document will detail whether or not rescuers need to be notified prior to entry.


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4.17 Shutdown Due to the nature of an emergency within the confined space it may be necessary to shutdown adjacent plant before attempting emergency rescue. This would need to be done in conjunction with the site operations team 4.18 Safe Equipment and services Safety equipment must be of an approved type (i.e. conforming to C.E standards) Suitable for the job and maintained to the manufacturers standards. Safety equipment must be checked by the user, immediately before use and must be examined annually by a competent person, and records kept of the inspection for the expected equipment life. PUWER and LOLER will apply to equipment in use and should be inspected in accordance with the regulations The correct protective clothing must be worn SSSFT DOES NOT LOAN ANY SAFETY EQUIPMENT TO CONTRACTORS 4.19 Provision of Specialist Tools and Lighting Protected intrinsically safe tools and lighting should be used where flammable or potentially explosive atmospheres are likely to exist, as indicated by the risk assessment 4.20 Electrical supplies for Confined Spaces The IEE Wiring Regulations BS7671 SECTION – Special Locations refers to the type of electrical supplies to be used in confined spaces this should be take into account when The Permit to Work is being issued – separated extra low voltage SELV 4.21 Records All Permit to Work forms Method statements and Risk assessments shall be retained with all other associated and appropriate details 4.22 Medical Fitness Claustrophobia All managers / supervisors and in particular Responsible Person and or their Deputy shall ensure that no persons suffering from Claustrophobia shall be Issued a Permit to enter / work in confined spaces or be allowed to enter a confined space. Training for all persons entering a confined space must cover the risk of Leptospirosis, in particular Weil’s disease, including how it can be caught, the symptoms and how it can be prevented. All persons intending to enter SSSFT confined spaces must be of suitable medical fitness to enter the areas.


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Assessment as being medically fit by completion of a questionnaire and / or medical examination Individuals must not omit to mention anything about their health which may ultimately put their own or their colleagues’ safety at risk Where applicable all persons entering a confined space must have received immunisations from any foreseeable health risks. Occupational Health to advise. Contractors working for the Trust shall comply with the above medical fitness for their employees who are likely or will be expected to work in confined spaces 4.23 Rescue Equipment Should some of the SSSFT confined spaces require a harness to be worn this shall be detailed in the relevant emergency plan (EP) document and users will have been trained in their correct use. Often lifelines will need to be attached to the harnesses and may need to run back to a point outside the confined space. Associated with this may be the need for a tripod and winch system to aid access / egress to / from the area and aid with a rescue. Provision of suitable rescue equipment will depend on the likely emergencies identified in the particular confined space risk assessment. 4.24 Escape Breathing Apparatus (BA) The use of escape breathing apparatus may be required depending on the classification of the confined space and the associated EP. If required by the EP, an escape B.A set must be taken into the confined space by each member of the entry team and kept on their person at all times .If one of the multi –gas detectors goes into alarm, or an entry person collapses, the entry team must immediately stop what they are doing, don on their escape BA set and make their way to the nearest exit. If there is a gas emergency, then it is imperative that the entry party don their own masks and exit immediately. Arrangements can then be made to rescue any other parties if necessary. Again, where such equipment is provided for use, training in its correct operation is essential In certain circumstances continuous air monitoring may be required 4.25 Hazards Associated with Confined Spaces The hazards that the confined spaces regulations address arise through the combination of the confined nature of the place of work and the possible presence of substances or conditions which taken together , could increase the risk to the safety or health of people. The following are some considerations- Risks Flammable substances and oxygen enrichment Poisonous or Toxic gas, fumes or vapour and or Dangerous atmospheres Oxygen deficiency Carbon monoxide and / or carbon dioxide


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The ingress or presence of liquids Solid materials which can flow Presence of excessive heat Residues left in tanks Sips trips and falls Poor visibility Poor access and restricted movement Collapse of the structure Sudden ingress and flooding Neglect, complacency and lack of knowledge and / or training Increase of body temperature due to environment Fire and / or explosion Burns Asphyxiation Major injury or Death Drowning Physical injury Temperature stress Bacterial infection 4.26 Checks before entry Isolation – Entry into certain confined spaces may require mechanical and / or electrical isolations. This should be checked prior to the issue of the confined space permit. Other associated permits to work may be required such as for Fire Alarm, Electrical, Mechanical isolations and reinstatements of services. Minimum manning levels – The relevant Emergency Procedures plan will indicate the minimum number of operatives that must be engaged in all confined space entry operation The Entrance – it must be ensured that the entrance to the confined space is big enough to allow workers wearing all the necessary equipment to climb in and out easily


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Cleaning before entry this may be necessary in the case of working within tanks for example, it may be necessary to clean the tank prior to entry to ensure that fumes do not develop from residues while the work is being done Ventilation – increased ventilation may be required depending on the situation Testing the air- Air tests may be required before entry into a confined space can be authorised and a Permit to Work issued. Leave openings uncovered for the minimum of time to ventilate the workspace and carry out the job. Release any entrapped gases from residues by agitation from outside the confined space before atmosphere testing Prior to entry the atmosphere in the confined space must be tested by multi gas detection equipment at various, e.g every 2 metres, allowing 2 minutes for the monitor to respond at each test. Different gases have differing density, thus forming layers in the confined space. Record the initial reading on the permit The atmosphere must be continuously monitored and it may be necessary to produce a log sheet to record readings A life-line should be attached to the harness provided it cannot get entangled in rotating plant or pipe-work Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the proper use of man-riding winches If appropriate, check escape breathing apparatus for contents and operation Escape breathing apparatus, when necessary, should be carried or within arm’s reach and ready for use. 4.27 Safe Systems of Working in Confined Spaces Should there be any doubt in the area of confined space working then NO WORK is to be carried out until a specific assessment of the site is undertaken in conjunction with trained and responsible persons to ensure safe working practices are carried out and formulated. If it has been established that the task or work cannot be undertaken outside the confined space then the following must be followed All checks and procedures must have been done before entry and working in confined spaces. Safe System of work is adopted for working inside the confined space Each confined space shall be subject to an individual risk assessment and given a classification for entry in accordance with the Water UK National Classifications for Confined Spaces. A Permit – to – Enter / Work must be issued for all entries into Confined spaces.


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The entry team must be made aware of all other hazards which could affect their Safety and Health. High risk entries must be planned in advance and arrangements for emergency rescue must be included and if local emergency services are to be relied upon for carrying out rescues then, managers must ensure that the service is available at time of entry. 4.28 Emergency Plans and Procedures Emergency plans shall be formulated and in place before raising the Permit to Work and any entry into a confined space. Internal Estates Emergency procedures shall be in place for the proposed task. External emergency services should be used if required. The HSE Safe work in confined spaces regulations ACOP regulation 5 should be consulted for specific detail on the following Rescue and Resuscitation equipment Rescue equipment shall be available as required and be in view of the likely emergencies identified in the risk assessment Raising the alarm and rescue There should be measures in place to enable those in the confined space to communicate to others outside the space who can initiate rescue procedures and summon help in the event of an emergency Communications – Appropriate communication system shall be used for the type of work and confined space which is to be entered. In most situations, it is necessary to station someone outside the confined space at all times (a Top man) to keep watch and to communicate with the workers inside the confined space. The top-man will therefore be ready and capable to raise the alarm quickly in an emergency and take charge of the rescue procedures as necessary. Safeguarding the rescuers It is essential that those who have been assigned a rescue role are themselves protected against the cause of the emergency. Specifically trained rescuers should be available to be used when persons shall be entering confined spaces and a permit to work will be issued Fire Safety Adequate fire precautions as appropriate shall be identified prior to entering a confined space and the necessary requirements shall be in place before issuing the Permit to enter / Work. Fire prevention – Flammable and Combustible materials should not be taken into or stored in confined spaces.


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Control of plant and Systems There may be a need to shut down certain plant equipment or systems these should be isolated as appropriate using the appropriate permit to enter/ work Extra care should be taken where plant equipment or systems are controlled by a Building management system First aid Appropriate first aid equipment should be provided and available for emergencies and provide first aid until professional medical help arrives. First aiders should be trained to deal with the foreseeable injuries. Public emergency services In certain circumstances it may be advisable to notify the emergency services prior to going into confined spaces. 4.29 Training Those likely to be involved in any emergency rescue should be trained for that purpose. It is important that refresher training is organised and available on a regular basis ideally annually Training shall be given to all the appropriate staff as required and will include the following – Specific training course for entry / working in Confined spaces shall be provided for 1 Responsible Persons (management of working in confined spaces) 2 Deputy Responsible Persons (management of working in confined spaces) 3 Competent Persons (confined space entry / working) 4 Estates Officers and Supervisors (awareness training for the management of entry and working in confined spaces) No person shall be permitted to enter a confined space on a SSSFT site unless certificated and traceable evidence can be provided showing that person has undertaken suitable and sufficient training in confined spaces Refresher training shall be undertaken every 3 years for the management and working in confined spaces and yearly for rescuer training Training for all persons entering a confined space must cover the risk of Leptospirosis, in particular Weil’s disease, including how it can be caught, the symptoms and how it can be prevented. Appointed contractors shall ensure that their organisation also reflects the same standard or higher training than the Trust for responsible and competent persons.


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4.30 Plant and Equipment Size of openings to enable safe access to and egress from confined spaces need to be considered The minimum size of an opening to allow access with full rescue facilities including self –contained breathing apparatus is 575mm It will be necessary to check that a person wearing suitable equipment can safely and readily pass through any proposed entry and exit point. Warning – Carbon Monoxide in the exhaust from diesel / petrol –fuelled engines is so dangerous that the use of such equipment in confined spaces should never be allowed. Their use is therefore prohibited when working for SSSFT Respiratory Protective Equipment Where respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is provided or used in connection with confined space entry or for emergency or rescue, it should be suitable for the purpose for which it is intended correctly selected and matched both to the job and the wearer 4.31 Personal Protective Equipment PPE shall be provided as required for the tasks to be carried out Persons using the equipment shall be adequately trained in its use All equipment shall be placed on an inventory and shall be - 1) Fully maintained 2) Certified fit for purpose and use 3) Records of maintenance, repairs, inspections and testing of equipment shall be available

and retained for future reference

4) The PPE Equipment that will be required to be used shall be included in the Emergency plan

4.32 Control of substances hazardous to Health (COSHH) The guide lines and requirements required to comply with COSHH regulations and to protect persons against harm shall be followed and implemented as appropriate 4.33 Estates Manager’s duties That in the first instance due consideration has been given to the need for work to be carried out by entry into a confined space and that the work cannot be completed from an external location or by other means. That supervisors are designated to be responsible and accountable for the control of 4 levels of confined space procedures and that they are trained accordingly


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That all persons who are under their control that may allocate confined space work to contractors / sub-contractors have in place the checking systems to ensure compliance with Confined Space Regulations 1997 and training regulations. That an annual inspection and review are carried out to check safe confined entry / working procedures for confined space entry/ working and any associated risk assessments are satisfactory and in place. Only issue the relative Permit to entry / work when fully satisfied that all training and safety measures have been confirmed and are in place If confined space work is to be contracted to others or is of a specialist nature that involves the work being carried out in full or partially by others using specialist equipment a risk assessment and confirmation of competence for the contractor / sub-contractor involved has been provided That all staff that are required to work in or control a designated confined space receive practical refresher training. Maximum period between training shall not exceed 3 years but also may need to be of a shorter duration if circumstances dictate Ensure that a risk assessment of confined space work is conducted, and that an appropriate remedial work action plan is developed where necessary Direct labour staff members are NOT to be permitted entry to confined spaces (except in the lowest risk category, and if suitably trained. Where the risk cannot be eliminated or reduced by permanent measurers ,ensure that all relevant PPE/RPE and safe access equipment is provided ,stored and maintained in a safe manner ( this will usually be a contractor function , and as such Estates will audit contractors and request assurance of compliance Ensure that only competent staff may conduct this work. This will involve the training of direct labour in confined space entry / working on recognised courses, and also the evaluation of contractor training and competence Ensure specific risk assessments are conducted prior to confined space entry / working, and that method statements and risk assessments are obtained and filed where appropriate Ensure that all confined space entry / working is conducted under a Permit -to – Enter / work basis. Refer to the relevant permit procedure for further details Ensure that all confined space entry / work is properly supervised, and that lone working is not permitted on such activities Periodically inspect work to ensure that it is being conducted properly. 4.34 Supervision Action Is to ensure -

That all employees under their direct control that are required to work in any of the four categories of confined space are adequately trained

That the correct procedures, controls and equipment are put in place and available


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for each category

That all relevant information with regard to potential hazards have been passed on to the persons who will enter and or work in the confined spaces.

That close supervision is a feature of the confined space entry / work and that on completion of the work all statutory documentation in relation to the work, equipment and tools used is completed and maintenance required carried out as required.

4.35 Employees Must not attempt to enter into or carry out any work in a confined space if not trained to do so or without obtaining the relevant Permit to enter / work Must obtain a relevant Permit to enter / work from the R.P / DRP Obtain all relevant information in regard to the confined space to be entered or worked in Must obtain the correct personal protective equipment, monitoring, or safety equipment and tools required for work in the confined space 4.36 Confined Space Risk Assessment Description of Space The Water UK Standards has produced the following classifications for confined spaces and SSSFT will use these as the reference All Confined Spaces throughout the Trust are to be categorized into different levels of risk and indicated as follows – NC1 – Allow risk shallow entry not normally exceeding 1.5m in depth with adequate ventilation, natural or mechanical. Where access is simple and unobstructed and there is no likelihood of flooding. NC2 – As NC1 but depth exceeds 1.5m and the entrant is directly below access point and they are still connected to fall arrest / retrieval system. NC3 – Here the entrant does not remain below access point and is disconnected from fall arrest note may require multi person entry. NC4 – Deemed non-standard entry involving complex operations, may require on site rescue team in place. For entries into very high risk confined spaces, where all conditions are either unknown or likely to change rapidly, specific arrangements must be put in place to rescue people in an emergency.


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4.37 Safe Working Practices Confined Spaces – Identification No: SWP021 Associated Policy / SOPs Control of Noise SOP Health and Safety Policy Control of Contractors Policy Personal Protective Equipment SOP COSHH SOP Permit to Work SOP

1 Always maintain contact with person in confined space either visual or by auditory /

vocal

2. Each person working in or near by a confined space needs to coordinate with others.

They all must know their responsibilities.

3. NEVER enter a confined space to rescue someone unless you have proper respiratory

protection and evacuation materials/equipment and backup personnel.

4. Have a level of protection suitable to the danger of the confided space. When in doubt,

go to higher protection, such as supplied are respirators or SCBA.

5. If possible, know what gases may be present in a confined space. Know how to test

for them and what the safe limit is.

6. Test the confined space air before and during entry.

7. Always maintain contact with the person in the confined space either visual or by

auditory/vocal.

8. Keep fresh air in the space. Be alert for changing conditions such as temperate and

odours. Be ready to evacuate immediately.

9. Have first aid equipment available, especially oxygen masks and have people trained

in first aid and CPR.

10. Know where hospitals are and how to contact medical emergency personnel.

Open Chambers must be adequately guarded


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5.0 Process for Monitoring Compliance and Effectiveness

Activity Frequency Managed

by

Audited by Report to

Issuing of P-

T-W & Entry

6 monthly &

Yearly

Responsible

Person (RP)

Deputy R P

(DRP)

Associate

Director

(AD)

Risk

Department

&

Designated

person (DP)

Maintenance

& inspection

and testing

of safety

equipment

6 Monthly

Yearly

R.P

D R P

A.D

Risk

department

& D.P

Training

Annually

R.P & DRP

A.D

Risk

Department

& D.P

Capital

works design

for confined

spaces

At Scheme

Design

Capital

projects

manager /

RP /DRP

A.D

Risk

department

& D.P

Method

statements &

risk

assessment

As per each

task / works

R.P / DRP

A.D

Risk

department

& D.P

Emergency

plans E.P

As per each

task / works

R.P / DRP

A.D

Risk

department

& D.P

Confined

spaces

procedures

Annual re

R.P/ DRP

A.D

Risk

department

& D.P


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6.0 References

The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997

The Health & Safety at Work Regulations Act 1974

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Approved Code of Practice

and guidance (second Edition) L21

Safe work in confined spaces (HSE ACOP, Regulations and Guidance L101, 2ND Edition)

Confined Spaces, A brief guide to working Safely (HSE Guidance INDG258(rev 1)

Water U.K National Classifications for Confined Spaces, taken from the Occasional

Guidance)

IEE wiring Regulations BS7671 (Special Locations restrictive conductive locations SELV)

Workplace Health, safety and welfare approved code of practice and guidance on

regulations L24

Safe use of Work Equipment. Provision and Use of work equipment regulations 1998.

Approved Code of Practice and guidance L22

Personal protective equipment at work (second edition). Personal Protective Equipment at

Work Regulations 1992. Guidance on regulations L25 (second edition)

Control of substances hazardous to health (fifth edition). The Control of Substances

Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended). Approved Code of Practice and

guidance L5 (Fifth edition)

Controlling noise at work. The control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 guidance on

regulations L108

Managing health and safety in construction .Construction (design and management)

regulations 2007. Approved Code of Practice L144

Respiratory protective equipment at work A practical guide HSG53 (THIRD EDITION)

The Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Health and Safety (safety, signs and signals) Regulations1996

Safety signs and signals. The Health and Safety (safety signs and signals) Regulations 1996

L64


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Appendix 1 - Management Structure

Designated

Person

Associated

Director

Estates

Responsible Person

R.P

Deputy R.P

Estates officers /

Supervisors

Competent

persons

Direct Staff

Competent

Persons

contractors

Capital

works

projects

Capital

Projects

Managers

DUTY HOLDER

CEO


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Appendix 2 Confined Spaces Classifications

Site

Confined

space

Designation

N.C

Entry

Procedure

E.P

Permit to

work / entry

Minimum

Manning


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Appendix 3 Flowchart Number 1


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Appendix 4 Flowchart Number 2


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Appendix 5 Permit to Entry

APPENDIX 6 - Basic PPE Equipment


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Appendix 7 NC 1&2 Classification


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Appendix 8 N.C – Classification 3 & 4


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Appendix 9 Confined Space Labels

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