Safety Requirements for Working in Confined Spaces
A confined space is an area enclosed on all sides, where entry and exit are difficult or restricted, hindering the rapid passage of workers and air exchange.
Examples include manholes, sewers, tanks, various industrial passages and tunnels, and the interiors of industrial plants.
Work Requirements:
- Mandatory issuance of a work permit
- A work crew of at least three people (two working, one acting as a standby person outside)
- Workers must be trained and briefed before starting work
- When working inside vessels, the temperature must not exceed 30oC
- Mandatory use of SAM/LOTO lockout systems. All equipment must be de-energized, with "Do Not Start. People Working" signs posted
- When working in environments with a risk of hazardous substances, such as carbon dioxide, gas testing must be conducted both before and during the work
- When working in a vessel that stored acid or alkali, it must be neutralized and checked for hydrogen
- Upon completion of work, the supervisor must interview employees (general condition), count the crew members, and ensure no one remains in the confined space.
During HSE monitoring, it is forbidden to enter confined spaces without notifying the site supervisor or to conduct inspections without an escort. This is especially critical in facilities where a sudden release of hazardous substances into the workspace is possible.
Confined Space Requirements:
- Every confined space must be labeled
- A safety memo must be developed for each confined space, specifying hazards, risks, mitigation measures, and actions in case of an emergency or abnormal situation
- A risk assessment must be conducted
When working in confined spaces, the standby person must check on the workers at specified intervals: voice call-and-response, radio use, or light signals.
Working in a confined space without a standby person or alone is strictly prohibited.
Compliance with these rules during the preparation stage will help ensure work is carried out safely and without health risks.
Are confined space operations conducted at your facility?
- Yes, there are confined spaces
- No, there are no confined spaces
- There are confined spaces, but work is performed by third-party (service) organizations