Confined Spaces
Education Consultant
Workshop Objectives
At the end of this session, the participant will:

Understand the legislation pertaining to confined
spaces

Identify the potential hazards

Be aware of employer and employee
responsibilities

Be able to apply this information in the workplace
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Course Outline
1.
Health & Safety Legislation
2.
Hazard Recognition
3.
Safe Work Procedures
3
Definition: Confined Space
 Enclosed or partially
enclosed
 Not designed or
intended for
continuous human
occupancy
 Restricted access or
egress
4
Definition: Confined Space
May become hazardous because of :

Materials or substances contained

Construction

Location

Atmosphere

Design
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Examples of Confined Spaces
• Tanks
• Storage bins
• Boilers
• Double hulls
• Vats
• Pumping stations
• Kilns
• Pits, sumps
• Vaults
• Vessels
• Silos
• Manholes
• Pipelines
• Water reservoirs
• Sewers
• Other similar spaces
• Manure pits
6
Confined Space Regulations
263(1) Where an employee is about to enter a confined
space, an employer shall appoint a competent
person to verify by tests that:
263(1)(a)the concentration of airborne chemical agents or
airborne dust in the confined space is not
hazardous…,
263(1)(b)the concentration of an airborne chemical or
mixture of chemical agents or airborne dust in
the confined space does not exceed 50% of its
lower explosive limit,
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Confined Space Regulations
263(1)(c)the level of physical agents in the confined space
is not hazardous…
263(1)(d)the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere in the
confined space is not less than 19.5% by volume
and not more than 23% in volume
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Confined Space Regulations
263(1)(e) the concentration, level or percentage referred to
in paragraphs (a) to (d) is able to be maintained
during the period of proposed occupancy of the
confined space by the employee
263(1)(h)all electrical equipment and machines have been
locked out, with the machines being put in a zero
energy state.
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Confined Spaces - Hazardous
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Employer’s Responsibilities
 Instruct and train workers
 Purge when necessary
 Provide PPE and emergency equipment
 To ensure the worker has read, dated
and signed the report
 Appoint a competent tester
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Competent Person
According to the 91-191 I(2) regulation, ‘Competent’
means
I.
Qualified: ‘knowledge, training, and experience, to
do assigned work in a manner that will ensure
health and safety’
II.
Knowledgeable: about the related act and
regulations
III. Knowledgeable: about the related potential for
danger
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Competent Person
 Do the tests (oxygen, flammability, toxicity,
etc.)
 Be trained in the procedures
 Be in attendance outside
 Ensure constant communication
 Have a standard-level first aid and CPR
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Competent Person
 Ensure continuous monitoring
 Set out procedures
 Set out the results (tests)
 Identify the proper PPE and emergency
equipment
 Calibrate instruments
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Employee’s Responsibilities
 Competent person follows procedures
 Install warning signs if there’s a traffic hazard
 Follow procedures
 Use PPE and emergency equipment
 Read and sign the report of the competent tester
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Written Report
1. Sets out the
Results (tests)
Evaluation (hazards)
2. Sets out procedures to be followed
3. Identifies PPE
4. Sets out emergency procedures
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Written Report
5. Identifies equipment and rescuer
6. Kept at the worksite
7. Kept for a period of 2 years
8. Available to an officer
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Three People Are Needed…
1. Entrant: Read, date and sign report
2. Person outside the entrance (standby):
Competent
3. Back-up: Near Vicinity
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Safe Work Procedures
 Preplan the job
 Prepare and check equipment
 Ensure traffic control
 Test before opening and record
 Follow correct opening procedures
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Safe Work Procedures
 Record results of re-test
 Ventilate and purge if required
 Set up an escape and rescue plan
 Ensure continuous monitoring if necessary
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Protective Equipment
Employer shall:

Provide PPE in good
condition

Inspect regularly

Ensure employee
training
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Protective Equipment
Employee shall:
 Wear and use
 Use properly
 Inspect and test
 Report problems
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Equipment
In wet conditions, equipment should be:
1. Battery operated
2. Double insulated
3. Bonded or grounded
*Be aware of other hazardous conditions
Example: Chemicals, moving equipment, etc.
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Oxygen
Less than 19.5%:
 Use appropriate RPE
 Reserve 5 minutes
More than 23%:
 No flammable, combustible or reactive material
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Unsafe Conditions
Safety Hazards
Atmospheric Hazards
Unsafe Actions
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Hazard Recognition
 Solids (entrap)
 Liquids (drown)
 Atmospheric hazards
 Machines or equipment (trap, squeeze or crush)
 Bulk materials (shift or collapse)
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Hazard Recognition
 Electrical shock
 Rescue equipment (nonfunctional)
 Size of entrance (too
small)
 Rusted ladder
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Hazard Recognition
 Traffic Hazards
 Temperatures
 Visibility
 Slippery Work Surfaces
 Lack of Education &
Training
 Lack of enforcement
*NOTE: Never put yourself in a position
where you need to be rescued
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Written Program
1. Identify Confined Spaces
2. Recognize Hazards
3. Testing and Controls
4. Emergency Procedures and Rescue
5. Responsible Parties
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Written Program
6. Standby Procedures
7. Training Requirements
8. Permit Requirements
9. Pre-entry Requirements and Checks
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Summary
During this session, we have been made aware of:
i.
The legislation pertaining to confined spaces
ii. The potential hazards
iii. Employer and employee responsibilities
iv. How to apply this information in the workplace
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