Confined Space

A confined space is a totally or partially enclosed space, which is not designed or intended for human occupancy.  Given its location, it is difficult to access or egress, and it may be hazardous to the health and safety of persons entering it.

Examples of confined spaces: grain elevators, vessels, receiving hoppers, public service enclosures, sewers, shafts, tank trucks, aircraft wings, etc.

Potential Risks when Accessing an Enclosed Space

Risks may be classified into three categories, but are not limited to these:

Air Quality: Poor or too rich in oxygen, presence of toxic substances, explosives, inflammable because of the presence of inflammable liquids and gases, or extreme temperatures.

Physical: Processes, moving parts of equipment, structures, entanglement, skidding, falls, lack of visibility, noise, slipping or collapse of materials.

Biological: Vermin, micro-organisms, bacteria, etc.

The Santinel inc. Approach

• Analysis
  • Inventory of confined spaces and personal equipment
  • Risk Assessment and Control
    • Work environment
    • Use of equipment
    • Observation of Work
    • Corrective Actions
• Support and Solution
  • Evaluation of Current Procedures
  • Identification of Procedures to Improve
  • Roles and Responsibilities
  • Development of Training and Information Programs
  • Development or Review of Confined Spaces Access Procedures 
  • Production and Implementation of a Management Manual
  • Coaching
  • Confined Space Management Software
• Formation
  • Development of the Training and Information Programs
  • Specific, Practical Training adapted for Employees, Supervisors, and Lifeguards

Standards and Regulations to consult on Confined Spaces

Quebec

In Quebec the Regulation Respecting Occupationnal Health and Safety (LRQ, c.S-2.1, Section XXI) helps us understand the measures that must be taken before accessing confined spaces to perform maintenance or repair work, etc. in dangerous zones of a machine.  (Free translation of the following excerpts.)

Competency Requirements for Workers

297. Definitions: In the present division, "qualified person" means a person who, owing to their knowledge, training or experience, is able to identify, assess, and control the dangers linked to confined spaces;

"hot work" means any work where flame is used or a source of ignition may be produced.

298. Qualified Workers: workers whose knowledge, training or experience enable them to perform work in a confined space, and who are qualified to do so.

Risk Assessment Before Entry

300. Information Collection Prior to Performance of Work: Before performing any work in a confined space, the following information must be available, in writing, in the work area:

1. information concerning the specific dangers associated with the confined space:

2. prevention measures which must be taken to protect the health, safety and physical
     integrity of the workers, more specifically those pertaining to:

Information mentioned in subsection 1 of the first clause must be collected by a qualified person.

The prevention measures mentioned in subsection 2 of the first clause must be established by a qualified person, and applied.

Inform concerned workers

301. Informing workers prior to Performing Work: The information mentioned in subsections 1 and 2 of the first clause of article 300 must be communicated and explained to all workers prior to entry in the confined space, by a person who is qualified to instruct them on how to perform their work in a safe way.   Always two workers.

308. Monitoring: Another person must always be monitoring a person performing work in a confined space.  This person must have the skills and knowledge to do so and keep visual, auditory or other contact with the worker, in order to be able to start rescue operations rapidly, if necessary.

The person charged with monitoring the worker must be outside the confined space.

Preliminary Planning of a Rescue Operation

309. Rescue Procedure: Any rescue procedure aimed at giving assistance rapidly to a worker performing work in a confined space must be developed and proven.

Such a procedure must be applied as soon as required.

This procedure must provide the necessary rescue equipment.  It may also include a rescue team, an evacuation plan, alarm and communication devices, personal protective devices, safety harnesses and lifelines, a first aid kit, first aid equipment, as well as recovery equipment.

Source: Regulation Respecting Occupationnal Health and Safety [S-2.1, r.19.01]

Canada

Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (Part XI, section 11.1):

11.1 "Confined space" means an enclosed or partially enclosed space, that:

a) is not designed or intended for human occupancy except for the purpose of performing work;

b) has restricted accesses and egresses;

c) may become hazardous for ay person entering it owing to:

(i) its design, construction, location or atmosphere,

(ii) the materials or substances in it,

(iii) any other conditions relating to it (espace clos).

"hot work" Any work where flame is used or a source of ignition may be produced (travail à chaud) DORS/88-68, art. 14; DORS/88-632, art. 48(F); DORS/92-544, art. 1; DORS/95-286, art. 1(A).

Source: Canada Labor Code, Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations

USA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Occupational Safety and Health Standards (Section 1910.146, subpart J), "Permit required to enter a confined space"

Norms

• NFPA 1670 (Standard on Operation and Training for Technical Rescue Incidents)
• NFPA 1983 (Fire Service Life Safety Rope and System Components)
• NFPA 472 (Standard for Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents)

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