Confined Space

Purpose
Definitions
Roles and Responsibilities
Procedure
Record Keeping
Performance Measures
Documents/Forms
References

Purpose

This procedure outlines the requirements for the management of entry into confined spaces in University workplaces with the intention of minimising risks to health and safety from any potential hazards associated with the entry. This procedure applies to all identified confined spaces at all workplaces, to staff and contractors. This procedure should be read in conjunction with the Australian Standard AS2865-2001 – Safe working in a confined space. It is the responsibility of all competent persons, to ensure that an appropriate risk assessment is undertaken prior to entry of a confined space.

Definitions

Atmospheric Monitoring – is the continuous measurement of oxygen levels or selected atmospheric contaminants over an uninterrupted duration of time.

Atmospheric Testing – is the short term testing, which is not continuous, of oxygen level and atmospheric contaminants.

Competent person – is a person who has, through a combination of training, education and experience, acquired knowledge and skills enabling that person to perform correctly a specified task in relation to confined spaces.

Confined space – an enclosed or partially enclosed space that is at atmospheric pressure during occupancy and is not intended or designed primarily as a place of work, and is liable at anytime to:

have an atmosphere, which contains potentially harmful levels of contaminant; or
have an oxygen deficiency or excess; or
cause engulfment and
could have restricted means for entry and exit

Contaminant – any dust, fume, mist, vapour, biological matter, gas or other substance in liquid or solid form, the presence of which may be harmful to health and safety

Contract Supervisor – the person nominated by the Line Manager to administer a contract that involves work in a confined space.

Entry (to a confined space) – when a person’s head, i.e. the breathing zone or upper body is within the boundary of the confined space.

Hot work – welding, thermal or oxygen cutting, heating, including fire-producing or spark-producing operations that may increase the risk of fire or explosion.

Standby person – a competent person assigned to remain on the outside of, and in close proximity to, the confined space and capable of being in continuous communication with and, if practical, to observe those inside. In addition, where necessary, initiate emergency response procedures and operate and monitor equipment used to ensure safety during entry and work in the confined space.

Written Authority (otherwise known as a confined space entry permit) – a document which permits entry to or work in a confined space

Roles and Responsibilities

Contractors are responsible for:

providing to the University evidence that their personnel including sub-contractors have completed the Nationally Accredited Training and competency assessment for working in confined spaces, prior to the work commencing
ensuring that a risk assessment, written authority and where required a hot work permit is completed (by using University forms or using their own) prior to the entry of a confined space and that copies of these documents are forwarded to Campus Security at the conclusion of the confined space work
providing safe work method statement, upon request.

Contract Supervisors are responsible for:

ensuring that appropriate permits are completed and signed that provide authority/permission for contractors to work in confined spaces as defined by UniSA
ensuring that contractors only provide appropriately trained and competent personnel to undertake work within confined spaces.

Line Managers are responsible for:

the implementation of this procedure in their area of responsibility and accountability
ensuring all work in a confined space is planned and documented including the completion of risk assessments
ensuring all staff who carry out work in confined spaces are provided with training from an approved training provider
ensuring that adequate resources are available to comply with the requirements of this procedure
ensuring contractors who are required to enter confined spaces are competent to do so
obtaining a risk assessment(s) and an authority to enter for the confined space to be entered
ensuring copies of written authority forms, risk assessments and where required hot work permits to enter confined spaces are forwarded to the Campus Security office at the conclusion of the work in the confined space for filing purposes.

Staff are responsible for:

not placing themselves or others at risk of injury/illness
conforming to the requirements of this procedure
consulting with Line Managers and other staff in relation to a risk analysis associated with entry to confined space requirements.

Facilities Management Unit is responsible for:

ensuring contractors are inducted
identifying confined spaces within University workplaces
maintaining a register of confined spaces
keeping and maintaining records of risk assessments, written authorities and hot work permits to enter confined spaces.

Procedure

Only competent persons shall undertake confined space entry and standby duties. The responsibility of safe work practices, risk assessment and completing the written authority is with the competent person to enter the confined space. With respect to contractors it is the responsibility of the person engaging the contractor to ensure that confined space workers are competent.

Contractors who are registered with the Facilities Management Unit’s preferred contractors list will have had their competency evaluated as part of the registration process and/or during the contract negotiation.

The following criteria define a hazardous atmosphere:

flammable gas, vapour or mist greater than 5% of the lower explosive limit (LEL)
airborne combustible dust at a concentration greater than meets or exceeds its LEL
oxygen concentration less than 19.5% or greater than 23.5%
any airborne contaminant that may expose a worker to above an acceptable dose or permissible exposure limit
any condition recognised as an immediate threat to life or health.

Identification

All confined spaces at University workplaces shall be identified. The entry points to identified confined spaces are to be signposted and secured against unauthorised entry.
Register

A register will be maintained by the Facilities Management Unit. The information contained in the register will cover;
- description of the confined space
- location
- potential hazards
- risk assessments.
The register will be updated with any addition, alteration, removal or change of environment or at a minimum every 5 years.
Signage of Confined Spaces

The entry points to identified confined spaces are to be signposted and secured against unauthorised entry.

At a minimum all confined spaces will comply with AS 1319 and be conspicuously marked: “Danger: Confined Space – Entry by Permit Only”.

Prior to any person entering a confined space, and during any occupancy of the confined space, appropriate signs and protective barriers shall be erected to prevent entry of persons not involved in the work (AS/NZS 2865)

Signs should warn against entry by persons other than those authorized to enter a confined space (Signs of HB213). Signs should also indicate that entry is permitted after signing the written authority for entry.

Signs are only required to be erected for the preparation of the work in a confined space, during work in a confined space and for completion of the work. Portable signs should be used where spaces are entered on an occasional or infrequent space basis.
Written Authority (Permit to Work) for Entry

A Written Authority (Permit to Work) (Hot Work and Work in a Confined Space must always be completed prior to any hot work or work being carried out in the confined space.
Approval to enter a confined space (form OHSW36 or OHSW 37) and/or carry out hot work (form OHSW38) on an occupied confined space shall be obtained from the person in direct control before work is commenced. Approval shall not be granted until:
- a completed risk assessment (form OHSW35 or similar) of the confined space has been provided by a competent person
- measures to control the identified risks have been established
- the competency of those required to enter the space has been verified
- appropriate confined space authority to enter in respect to the particular entry have been completed
- emergency procedures have been determined and are in place
- provision of a standby person (where the element of risk requires that a standby person should be provided).
NOTE: No work shall be carried out within a confined space, or on the outside surface of a confined space, if the work or any plant is likely to cause or create a risk:
- to the health and safety of a person in the confined space, or
- of fire or explosion.
The written authority should be displayed in a prominent place, usually adjacent to the confined space, to facilitate signing and clearance.
Alternating Entry and Standby Persons

Where it is expected that the person entering the confined space and the standby person may change places, each is to be authorised to standby while the other person is inside the confined space.
Risk Assessment

A risk assessment shall be undertaken by a competent person or persons before work associated with the confined space is carried out. The assessment shall be in writing (form OHSW35 or similar) and take into account at least the following:
- the nature and inherent hazards of the confined space.
- the work required to be done, including the need to enter the confined space
- the range of methods by which the work can be done
- the hazards involved and associated risks involved with the actual method selected and the equipment proposed to be used
- emergency response procedures
- the competence of the persons to undertake the work
The risk assessment shall be revised whenever there is evidence to indicate that it is no longer valid.

Where multiple similar confined spaces in which similar work is performed are present and the risk factors are identical, a generic risk assessment may be appropriate.
Atmospheric Monitoring

Should a risk assessment indicate the need for atmospheric monitoring this will be carried out by a person deemed to be competent. No person shall enter a confined space to conduct atmospheric testing or monitoring without a written authority. Results of any monitoring shall be recorded on the confined space entry permit. Monitoring results shall be made available to all staff who may have to enter the confined space.
Breathing Apparatus

Equipment used in confined space entry must conform to AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective devices; AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory Protective Devices and AS/NZS 2074 Portable cylinders for resuscitators and self-contained breathing apparatus (non-underwater) safety guide.
Rescue and First Aid Procedures

Emergency response and first aid procedures and provisions shall be planned, established, regularly rehearsed, and implemented in response to an emergency in a confined space.

In cases of emergency response involving emergency services personnel, these persons shall be made aware of the conditions in the confined space prior to entry.

Where a risk assessment has determined the need for emergency response greater than that in the emergency response procedures, individual procedures will be planned, established and regularly tested.

The standby person under no circumstances should attempt to enter the confined space, unless properly trained and equipped to deal with an emergency and there are other personnel outside the confined space to assist.
Training

All persons with work activities related to a confined space shall be trained and assessed as competent to perform those activities. The training must be undertaken by an approved training provider and include at least the following:
- the hazards associated with confined spaces
- risk assessment procedures
- control measures
- emergency procedures
- the selection, use, fit and maintenance of safety equipment and
- legislative requirements
All trained persons shall have their competency reassessed annually to ensure their ingoing competency to perform the activities relevant to their entry and the work associated with confined spaces.

Record Keeping

All risk assessments and written authorities to enter confined spaces are to be forwarded to the Campus Security office on completion of the work. All risk assessments are to be retained for a period of not less than 5 years. All written authorities to enter confined spaces and hot work permits are to be retained for a period of not less than 12 months.

Training records are to be retained for the period of the staff members’ employment.

Registers of confined spaces are to be maintained by the Facilities Management Unit.

Performance Measures

For all persons entering confined spaces training is current (within 12 months)
Risk assessments have been completed for all confined space entry.
The confined space registry is current

Documents/Forms

OHSW27 - Contractor’s Permit to Work
OHSW35 – Confined Space Risk Assessment Worksheet
OHSW36 – Confined Space Written Authority (Entry Permit)
OHSW37 – Confined Space Entry Permit – High Risk
OHSW38 – Hot Work Permit for Confined Spaces