Professional Documents
Culture Documents
August 2014
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Contents
Section
Title
1.0
Introduction
2.0
Scope
3.0
Purpose
4.0
Definitions
5.0
Legal Requirements
6.0
Hazards
6.1
Lack of oxygen.
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
Residues.
6.6
Dust.
6.7
Temperature.
6.8
6.9
Procedure
7.1
Risk Assessment
7.2
7.0
Page
7.2.2 Competence
7.2.3 Communications
7.2.13 Lighting
8.0
Emergency Arrangements
9.0
Summary of Responsibilities.
Appendix 1
11
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1.0 introduction
Confined spaces can be deadly. On average, work in confined spaces kills many
people every year in the Bangladesh across a wide range of industries, from
those involving complex plant through to simple storage vessels and rooms. In
addition, a number of people are seriously injured. Those killed include not only
people working in the confined space but those who try to rescue them without
proper training and equipment.
2.0 Scope
This procedure applies to all confined spaces on Power plant premises that pose a
risk to employees, visitors and members of the public.
3.0 Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that:
Entry into confined spaces is avoided where possible.
When entry into confined spaces is unavoidable, all hazards 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.
Ensure compliance with relevant legislation.
4.0 Definitions
A Confined Space can be any space of an enclosed nature where there is a risk of
death or serious injury from hazardous substances or dangerous conditions (e.g. lack
of oxygen).
Some confined spaces are fairly easy to identify in our plant:
Enclosures with limited openings (combustion chamber, exhaust diffuser, IGV
Chamber):
Storage tanks (Fuel oil storage tank, water storage tank, chemical storage
tank);
Oily water separator Sump pit;
Enclosed drains and sewers.
Others may be less obvious, but can be equally dangerous, e.g.
Ductwork (HVAC Duct);
Unventilated or poorly ventilated rooms.
It is not possible to provide a comprehensive list of confined spaces. Some places
may become confined spaces when work is carried out, or during their construction,
fabrication or subsequent modification.
5.0 Legal requirements
5.1 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.
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6.0 Hazards
Dangers can arise in confined spaces because of:
6.1 Lack of oxygen.
This can occur:
Where there is a chemical reaction between fuel and the oxygen in the
atmosphere (Inside combustion chamber or exhaust diffuser);
Following the action of groundwater on chalk and limestone which can
produce carbon dioxide and displace normal air;
In freight containers, lorries etc as a result of the cargo reacting with oxygen
inside the space;
Inside steel tanks and vessels when rust forms;
When using inert gases, for example, during some welding operations.
6.2 Poisonous gas, fume or vapour.
These can:
Build-up in sewers and manholes and in sump pits connected to the system;
Enter tanks or vessels from connecting pipes;
Leak into trenches and pits in contaminated land (specially connected to our
WTP drain line).
6.3 Ingress of liquids and solids.
Liquids and solids, which can suddenly fill the space, or release gases into it, when
disturbed. Free flowing solids such as grain can also partially solidify or bridge in
silos causing blockages, which can collapse unexpectedly.
6.4 Fire and explosions
Fire and explosions may occur due to flammable vapour concentrations being within
the flammable range or excess oxygen being present in a sufficient concentration.
6.5 Residues.
Residues left in tanks, vessels etc, or remaining on internal surfaces can give off gas,
fume or vapour.
6.6 Dust.
Dust (especially organic materials) present in high concentrations may pose a risk of
explosion.
6.7 Temperature.
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Ideally the need to wear PPE or use RPE should be eliminated by implementation of
robust risk control measures. It should only be used as a last resort, except for
rescue work. If the use of PPE or RPE is necessary, then it must be assessed for
suitability by a competent person and offer the correct level of protection.
Note: wearing PPE and RPE can contribute to heat stress.
7.2.10 Gas supplied by pipes and hoses.
The use of pipes and hoses for conveying oxygen or flammable gases into confined
spaces must be controlled to minimise the risk.
At the end of every working period:
Supply valves for pipes and hoses must be securely closed.
Pipes and hoses must be withdrawn from the confined space to a well
ventilated area.
Where pipes and hoses cannot be removed, they must be disconnected from
the supply at a point outside the confined space.
7.2.11 Size of entrance
The access/egress point must be big enough to allow workers wearing all the
necessary equipment to climb in and out easily, and provide ready access and
egress in an emergency.
7.2.12 Fire Prevention
Flammable and combustible materials must not be stored in confined spaces that
have not been specifically created or allocated for that purpose. If this type of
material is used during work it must be kept to a minimum and not be allowed to
accumulate. Control of ignition sources and ventilation requirements must also be
considered. Smoking is prohibited in all confined spaces, it may be necessary to
extend this exclusion area to a distance beyond the confined space
7.2.13 Lighting
Adequate and suitable lighting, including emergency lighting should be provided. The
lighting must be specially protected where flammable/explosive atmospheres are
likely to occur. Lighting may need to be protected from impacts and be suitable for
use in wet environments. Where possible, residual current devices should be utilised
to protect against electric shock.
7.2.14 Permit to Enter for working a Confined Space
Permission to enter a confined space can only be given by a person who has
received appropriate training and is authorised to sign a confined space Permit to
work. An example of a Permit to work can be found in Appendix 1. A Permit to Enter
is required for ALL Confined Space work at the Power plant. It must be signed in the
authorisation and acceptance section prior to work starting by a competent person. A
hand-back signature must also be completed on the permit when to work is complete
or the expiry time exceeded. It is the responsibility of the supervisor to ensure that a
permit to enter has been completed for every confined space entry.
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Person Responsible
Relevant Head of
Department and
Supervisors + relevant
area personnel
Relevant Head of
Department
Relevant Head of
Department
Confined space
supervisor.
Confined space
supervisor.
Procedure
Ref:
7.1
7.2
7.2.1
7.2.4
7.2.5
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Confined space
supervisor.
Person who has
received appropriate
training.
Permission to enter a confined space.
Person who has
received appropriate
training.
Ensure suitable persons are selected for Relevant Head of
confined space work
Department and
Supervisors
Ensure persons entering a confine space Confined space
have sufficient information, instruction supervisor.
and training in the specific hazards,
precautions and emergency plans.
Ensure an assessment of the emergency Relevant Head of
requirements has been made
Department
Ensure emergency measures are in Confined space
place and have been tested prior to entry supervisor.
7.2.6
7.2.7
7.2.9
7.2.14
7.2.15
7.2.15
8.0
8.0
Note:
There are currently no trained Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) operators
within the Power plant. Only external contractors assessed to be competent for the
task will carry out any confined space work where it is necessary to wear SCBA.
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CONFINED SPACES
JOB DETAILS
SPECIAL TOOLS TO BE USED
JOB LOCATION/PLANT
IDENTIFICATION
This section is only valid when all sections in yellow are completed. If you are in doubt or dont understand,
then please ask. Remember, all accidents are preventable and it is us who get hurt and suffer pain. Please use this
permit in the spirit intended to protect yourself and others. Please ensure that you sign this permit to work.
Do not proceed with your work until your permit has been authorised by the relevant member of staff.
YES
NO
Please tick
TIME OF TEST 1
OXYGEN
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON DIOXIDE
OTHER SPECIFY
%
%
%
%
HH MM
PASS/FAIL
PASS/FAIL
PASS/FAIL
PASS/FAIL
TIME OF TEST 2
OXYGEN
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON DIOXIDE
OTHERSPECIFY
%
%
%
%
HH MM
PASS/FAIL
PASS/FAIL
PASS/FAIL
PASS/FAIL
PERSON IN CHARGE
COMPANY
SIGNATURE
AUTHORISED PERSON
PLEASE PRINT
PLEASE PRINT
PLEASE PRINT
DATE
EXPIRY DETAILS
DD
MM
YY
TIME
HH
MM
PERSON IN CHARGE
PLEASE PRINT
I have inspected the completed/partially completed work* and hereby cancel this permit. (*delete as appropriate)
AUTHORISING SIGNATURE
DATE
TIME
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