CONFINED
SPACE ENTRY
AWARENESS
OBJECTIVES
A. Identify all confined spaces
B. Evaluate confined spaces for
hazards
C. Establish protection and
procedures to control
hazards
D. Set permit procedures for
entering
E. Develop a rescue team
Working in a Confined Space
CONFINED SPACE is identified
as any area with:
➢Limited means of
access/egress
and the area is subject for:
➢Oxygen deficiency atmosphere
➢Accumulation of flammable
vapors, and/or
➢Toxic atmosphere
A. What are the Confined Spaces?
A manhole is an opening
to a confined space such
as a shaft, utility vault, or
large vessel. Manholes,
typically protected by a
manhole cover, are often
used as an access point for
an underground utility,
allowing inspection,
maintenance, and system
upgrades.
A storage tank is a
container designed to hold
gases or liquids at a
pressure substantially
different from the ambient
pressure.
Ship’s Hold is a compartment where
cargoes are stored either by crates, bales,
in bulk (solid or liquid form), besides
ballast and void spaces at ship or boat.
Trench or Open Ditch is a type of
excavation or depression in the
ground that is generally deeper
than it is wide, and narrow
compared with its length.
Trenches are usually considered
temporary structures that are
backfilled with soil after
construction or abandoned after
use.
A silo is a structure for
storing bulk materials,
such as grain, coal,
cement, or food products.
There are different types
of silos, such as tower,
concrete stave, low-
oxygen, bunker, and bag
silos.
A culvert is a structure that
channels water past an obstacle
to a waterway. Typically
embedded to be surrounded by
soil, a culvert may be made from
a pipe, reinforced concrete or
other material.
A tunnel is an
underground or
undersea passageway.
It is dug through
surrounding soil, earth
or rock, or laid under
water, and is usually
completely enclosed
except for the two
portals common at each
end.
Cold storage refers to a
method of storing
perishable goods in
temperature-controlled
environments to extend
their shelf life,
commonly used in the
food and
pharmaceutical
industries.
A pipeline is a system of pipes for the
long-distance transportation of water,
gas, and petroleum products. We often
monitor pipelines for safety and leaks to
prevent environmental hazards.
Pipeline rehabilitation/restoration and
maintenance are common work
activities that ensure the integrity and
efficiency of the system. Additionally,
monitoring and inspection processes are
crucial for identifying potential leaks or
weaknesses that could compromise
safety and environmental standards.
A Vault is a secure room
used to store and protect
valuables, cash, and
important documents
commonly used by
banks.
Modern bank vaults are typically made of reinforced concrete
and steel, with complex locking mechanisms and security
systems.
B. Confined Space Hazards
Lack of Oxygen
Insufficient of oxygen for the worker to breath.
Any atmosphere with less than 19.5% oxygen
should not be entered without Self Contained
Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). The oxygen level
can decrease because of work being done
such as welding, cutting or brazing or by
certain chemical reactions (rusting) or
through bacterial action (fermentation).
Confined Space Hazards
Toxic Atmosphere
Most substances (liquids, vapors,
gases, mists, dusts and solid
materials) should be considered
hazardous in a confined space.
Residues left in tanks, vessels, etc.,
can give of poisonous gas, fumes, or
vapor. Toxic atmosphere are also
generated by work in confined space
such as welding, cutting, brazing,
painting, sanding, degreasing, etc.
Confined Space Hazards
Temperature Extremes
Extremely hot or cold temperatures
can present problems for workers. For
example, if a space has been
steamed. It should be allowed to cool
before any entry is made.
Confined Space Hazards
Fire and Explosion
An explosive flammable atmosphere due
to flammable liquid, gas and
combustible dust which ignited (by
sparkling or electrical tool) would lead to
fire or explosion. Oxygen excess (above
21%) will cause flammable materials,
such as clothing and hair, to burn
violently when ignited. Therefore, NEVER
use pure oxygen to ventilate a confined
space . Ventilate with normal air.
Confined Space Hazards
Uncontrolled Energy
Dangers can arise because of ineffective
isolation of a confined space from
electrical source, mechanical moving
parts, liquid, etc. A wet surface will also
increase the likelihood of electrical
shocks in areas where electrical circuits,
equipment and tools are used, beside
the potential hazards of slip and fall.
Confined Space Hazards
Collapse of Solids or
Liquids
Liquid and solid can suddenly fill the
space when disturbed or because of
barrier failure. Free flowing such as
grains can also solidify in silos causing
blockages which can collapse
unexpectedly; and water or any liquid
can engulf or drown anyone in an area
of a confined space.
C. Confined Space Controls
Engineering Controls
If entry is unavoidable, common confined
space hazard engineering control measures
must be implemented, including purging or
ventilating the atmosphere inside the space.
Purging is the process of clearing the
confined space atmosphere of
contaminants by displacing them with air or
steam. Ventilation, mechanical or natural, is
the process of moving uncontaminated,
fresh air through the space.
Administrative Controls
Administrative controls acknowledge the presence of
hazards and attempt to minimize employee contact or
exposure to them. They include the use of an entry
permit system; gas testing the atmosphere; training;
and detailed, written CSE requirements. Entry into a
confined space can be done safely if the following
precautions are taken:
➢ Proper training on CSE to all involved personnel is
provided.
➢ Proper CSE procedures are followed.
➢ A confined space entry permit is issued.
➢ Proper supervision of CSE is provided.
➢ An effective confined space entry plan, with a
detailed rescue procedure is developed and
implemented.
Personal Protective Equipment
When engineering and administrative
controls cannot eliminate the hazard or
control the risk, the use of appropriate
personal protective equipment (PPE)
becomes the only barrier between the
hazard and the entrant.
Appropriate confined space PPE can
include respirators and special clothing,
in addition to safety glasses/goggles,
safety shoes, and hard hats.
D. CSE Permit Process
The purpose of the CSE permit process is to ensure
the proper preparation of the confined space; the
safe entry of personnel, including plans for rescue;
and the proper restoration of the confined space.
Every job that requires a CSE must have a
designated CSE supervisor who ensures all
preparations for entry have been completed. Other
personnel required in a CSE include the work permit
issuer (work area In-charge), work permit receiver
(Area Authority), and confined space standby man. A
fire watch, foremen, and technicians (e.g., welders,
pipe fitters, engineers, and maintenance personnel)
may also be needed to conduct work in the confined
space.
Make sure the confined space area has
undergone a thorough gas test and is
free of any hazardous gases or vapors
before issuing the permit and is
repeatedly monitored/tested on a given
frequency during work in progress.
Additionally, ensure that all personnel
involved are equipped with the appropriate
personal protective equipment (PPE) and are
briefed on emergency procedures. Regular
safety drills should also be conducted to
reinforce preparedness in case of an
unexpected situation.
Confined Space Entry Log
It is the responsibility of a CSE
Standby Man to maintain a
CSE Log to account in-out of
entrants other than monitoring
an entrants that are inside the
confined space.
E. Develop a Rescue Team
Emergency response/rescue
procedures are in place. These
procedures are designed to ensure
the safety and well-being of all
individuals involved in an
emergency. Regular training and
drills are conducted to familiarize
personnel with these protocols and
enhance their readiness for any
unforeseen events.
Ensure that all rescue teams have their training certificates valid. Continuous
evaluation of the procedures is essential to adapt to new challenges and
improve response times.
End of Presentation
Thank You
