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GENERAL
·
TRAINING
Ø
Personal
protective equipment (PPE)
Ø Rescue
A confined space is an area that is not intended for continuous occupation, has limited means of entry or exit and is large enough that a worker could enter to perform assigned work.
A hazardous confined space is a confined space that is or may become hazardous due to the design, the substances in the space, or the work carried out in the space. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 266)
An employer must use alternate means to perform work in a confined space to avoid entry whenever possible.
All people who are connected with confined space entry must be adequately trained in the confined space entry plan. This training requirement affects the worker who will enter the confined space, the attendant, and workers required to perform rescue. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 272)
If a worker is required to enter a confined space, the types of confined space required to enter must be identified as well as the types of hazard in each space. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 267)
When no hazards have been identified in the space, the entry worker must be notified that no hazards exist. Communication must be arranged with the worker on entry, exit, and while in space, a procedure must be developed for removal of an injured worker from the space, and adequate ventilation provided. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 271)
A confined space entry plan must be developed for hazardous confined spaces in consultation with the JHSC. The written plan must include atmosphere testing, identification of other hazards in the space, means of isolating the identified hazards, procedures for entry work and exit from space, use of personal protective equipment, rescue procedures, communication with the worker in the space, and the use of any other equipment required to work safely. A copy of the plan must be available at the entry to the space. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 272)
Before entry into a confined space, the employer must ensure that the worker has a safe entrance and exit, and take precautions necessary to ensure safe entry and exit. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 269)
Before entry into a hazardous confined space, a competent person must determine if the work activities will release toxic or flammable concentrations of substances, that all energy sources are locked out and put in a zero energy state, and that the opening is sufficient for safe entry and exit. A written report must be issued. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 270)
Before entry, if a potentially hazardous atmosphere has been identified, the atmosphere must be tested by a competent person for oxygen, flammable vapour, and the presence of other hazardous vapours. An appropriate calibrated instrument must be used to test the atmosphere. The results of atmosphere testing must be detailed in a written report. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 270)
When ventilation is used to reduce or eliminate a hazardous atmosphere,
a competent person must test the atmosphere before worker entry, before worker
re-entry if they leave the space, on request by a worker, and continuously when
a condition may change to risk the health and safety of the worker. (Occupational
Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 274)
When ventilation and purging cannot make the atmosphere in a confined
space safe, a competent person must continuously monitor the atmosphere.
If flammable liquids or dusts may be present, ignition sources must be
eliminated or controlled. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
1996, 274)
The confined space must contain clean air prior to entry. When a hazardous atmosphere exists, ensure that the space is purged and vented so the hazard is reduced or eliminated. Oxygen must be between 19.5 and 23 percent.
Continuous ventilation of a confined space during entry is required when a hazardous atmosphere is found.
Mechanical ventilation must be designed, installed and maintained in accordance with established (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 274)
Workers must
wear respiratory protection if there is oxygen deficiency or enrichment, toxic
contaminants above exposure limits, or contaminants at a concentration that may
be harmful to the worker.
If the entrance
to a hazardous confined space is from the top, the entry worker must wear a
full-body harness attached to lifeline. A worker trained in rescue procedures
must attend the lifeline. A mechanical lifting device must be available to
assist in a rescue. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 274)
A standby
person must be stationed at the entrance to a hazardous confined space, must be
trained in rescue procedures, and be equipped with an alarm. (Occupational
Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 274)
Where a safe
atmosphere is not possible in a confined space during entry, a class A first
aid responder must be available at the entrance. Trained rescue personnel must
also be available to assist.
(Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 271)
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