SAFETY BULLETIN # 022

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY (PART I)

One of the most frequently performed and potentially dangerous tasks is the entry into a
confined space. There are many conditions that can turn a safe confined space into a
dangerous place. A mishap in a confined space has a high probability of being fatal or
resulting in serious injury.
Emphasis on safety should be the first priority in a confined space entry.
DEFINITIONS
Confined space refers to a space which by design, has limited openings for entry and
exit, and/or poor natural ventilation which could contain or produce dangerous air
contaminates and which is not intended for continuous employee occupancy.
Confined spaces includes, but are not limited to, tanks, towers, columns, vessels, sump
pits, sewers, boilers, exhaust ducts, tunnels, pipelines, compartments of ships,
underground utility vaults, and duct bank system manholes.
A.

Isolation of a confined space is a process whereby the confined space is

removed from service and completely protected against the inadvertent entry of
material. The isolation process includes building off or removing a section of pipe
and installing blinds on each end of the remaining pipes, vents, drains, relief
valves and instrument lines. Isolation also includes the electrical lockout of all
power sources and blocking or disconnecting all mechanical linkages.

B.

Flammable limits are the extreme concentration limits of a combustible gas or

vapor in an oxidant (air, oxygen, etc.) through which a flame, once initiated, will
continue to spread at the specified temperature and pressure. These extreme
limits of combustion are referred to as Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) and the
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL).

C.

(i)

Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) is the minimum concentration of a

combustible gas or vapor in air, which will ignite if an ignition source is
present.

(ii)

Upper Explosive Limit (UEL) is the maximum concentration of a

combustible gas or vapor in air, which will ignite if an ignition source is
present.

Lockout both mechanical and electrical of all sources of power by electrical

isolation of electrically-driven equipment or disconnecting all mechanical linkages
that service the confined space. This includes the physical disconnection of
electric power circuits and just locking out the electrical controller or drive
mechanisms. "HOLD" tags shall be used at all locations where devices or
equipment have been locked out.

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D.

Oxygen Deficient Atmosphere is any atmosphere with an oxygen concentration

of 20 percent or less at normal atmospheric pressure.

E.

Oxygen Enriched Atmosphere is any atmosphere with an oxygen concentration

greater than 21 percent at normal atmospheric pressure.

F.

Purging is the method by which gases, vapors or other air-borne impurities are
displaced from a continued space. Purging a confined space is accomplished by
the displacement of the confined space atmosphere with a non-reactive gas or
vapor (such as nitrogen or steam) to such an extent that the resulting
atmosphere will not support combustion.

G.

Pyrophoric refers to a substance that will burn upon contact with air with no
external ignition source.
Pyrophoric Iron (Iron Sulfide), is a common pyrophoric substance encountered in
hydrocarbon process.

H.

Respirator Protection refers to a device designed to protect the wearer from

breathing harmful materials that may be present in the atmosphere where the
wearer is working.
All respirators must be approved by SAUDI ARAMCO. The Scott Air Pack
breathing systems are self-contained breathing apparatus and not considered as
respirators.

I.

Sludge refers to the solids that can accumulate in the bottom of a tank or vessel.
Sludge can be a very serious hazard. Volatile and/or toxic hydrocarbon
compounds can be present in tank bottom sludge and the inhalation of the
vapors from this tank sludge can cause serious illness or death. Before initial
tank entry, any tank sludge must be tested for potentially hazardous materials
and the results reported prior to authorization for tank entry.
Tank bottom sludge can also be pyrophoric (see item G) and will smolder and
ignite with no external ignition when the sludge is exposed to dry air.
To avoid this hazard, any tank bottom sludge to be removed from a tank must be
kept wet during removal and transportation, until it is safely disposed of.

J.

Stand-By Man is a person involved in the confined space entry procedure who is
designated, by the person responsible for the workers involved in the confined
space entry, to remain on the outside of the confined space.
The stand-by man must be qualified to take appropriate action to protect those
personnel inside the confined space if any conditions should arise inside or
outside the space which may endanger the personnel inside the confined space.

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