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· TRAINING
Ø Rescue
Ø Personal
protective equipment (PPE)
A confined space
means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that is not designed or intended
for regular human occupancy; has restricted access or exit; and that is or may
become hazardous to a person entering it because of its design, construction,
location, atmosphere or the materials or substances in it or other conditions.
(Occupational Safety General Regulations 44/99, 129)
Entry workers and
rescue workers must be trained at least every two years. The training must
include the proper use of PPE, written rescue procedures, communications, work
limitations in confined space, and how to identify a hazard in a confined
space. (Occupational Safety General Regulations 44/99, 130)
A competent person must perform an assessment of the confined space
before entry is allowed. (Occupational Safety General Regulations 44/99, 130)
No one may
enter a confined space without a written permit. Permits are not valid for more
than 24 hours. The permit must be posted at the entrance to the confined space
for the duration of the entry. Retain all permits for 12 months. (Occupational
Safety General Regulations 44/99, 129 - 130)
Any liquid, free flowing solid or hazardous substance into
the confined space that could endanger the health or safety of a person has
been prevented by a secure means of
disconnection, the fitting of blank flanges or the implementation of
a double block and bleed written
procedure established by the employer
or similar positive actions.
Any machine, equipment, tool or electrical installation that
presents a hazard to a person entering into, exiting from or occupying the
confined space has been locked out. (Occupational Safety General Regulations 44/99, 130)
A competent person must perform the following tests:
Determine whether the concentrations, levels or percentages referred to
above can be maintained during the period of proposed occupancy of the confined
space.
Keep written copies of the tests (assessments) for 12 months. (Occupational Safety General Regulations
44/99, 130)
If the atmospheric testing indicates that an
occupational exposure limit is exceeded, the level of a physical agent is
hazardous or the oxygen level is too high or too low, an employer shall purge
the confined space at least twice to eliminate the hazards. After the purging,
the employer must retest to confirm the atmosphere in the confined space is
safe. (Occupational Safety General Regulations 44/99, 132)
Where the atmosphere contains a substance in
excess of 50 percent of its lower explosive limit, or the space contains a
flammable or explosive hazard, the employer must make the atmosphere in the
confined space inert and provide PPE to the entry person. (Occupational Safety
General Regulations 44/99, 133)
Where a person enters a confined space, an employer shall ensure that a
designated competent person is in attendance in the immediate vicinity of the
confined space, has a means of adequate communication with a person inside the
confined space, is provided with a means of activating the rescue procedure in
an emergency, is adequately trained in the emergency response procedure and
maintains a record of who is in the confined space. (Occupational Safety
General Regulations 44/99, 134)
Where a person enters a confined space, an employer shall ensure that a
designated competent person is in attendance in the immediate vicinity of the
confined space, has a means of adequate communication with a person inside the
confined space, is provided with a means of activating the rescue procedure in
an emergency, is adequately trained in the emergency response procedure and
maintains a record of who is in the confined space. (Occupational Safety
General Regulations 44/99, 134)
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Entrants must use PPE to enter a confined space when the assessment
finds the use of PPE is required. PPE must be provided as close as reasonably
practicable to the entrance to the confined space before a person enters the
confined space. (Occupational Safety General Regulations 44/99, 134)
An employer shall provide appropriate respiratory protective equipment to a person who enters a confined space where the concentration of a chemical substance or a mixture of chemical substances in a confined space is hazardous to the health or safety of a person. (Occupational Safety General Regulations 44/99, 135)
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