Confined Spaces Education Consultant

2 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 Workshop Objectives

3 1.Health & Safety Legislation 2.Hazard Recognition 3.Safe Work Procedures Course Outline

4 Enclosed or partially enclosed Not designed or intended for continuous human occupancy Restricted access or egress Definition: Confined Space

5 May become hazardous because of :  Materials or substances contained  Construction  Location  Atmosphere  Design

6 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

7 263(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, Confined Space Regulations

8 263(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

9 263(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. Confined Space Regulations

10 Confined Spaces - Hazardous

11 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

12 Competent Person According to the 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

13 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

14 Competent Person  Ensure continuous monitoring  Set out procedures  Set out the results (tests)  Identify the proper PPE and emergency equipment  Calibrate instruments

15 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

16 Written Report 1.Sets out the 2.Sets out procedures to be followed 3.Identifies PPE 4.Sets out emergency procedures Results (tests) Evaluation (hazards)

17 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

18 Three People Are Needed… 1. Entrant: Read, date and sign report 2. Person outside the entrance (standby): Competent 3. Back-up: Near Vicinity

19 Safe Work Procedures  Preplan the job  Prepare and check equipment  Ensure traffic control  Test before opening and record  Follow correct opening procedures

20 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

21 Protective Equipment Employer shall:  Provide PPE in good condition  Inspect regularly  Ensure employee training

22 Protective Equipment Employee shall:  Wear and use  Use properly  Inspect and test  Report problems

23 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.

24 Oxygen Less than 19.5%:  Use appropriate RPE  Reserve 5 minutes More than 23%:  No flammable, combustible or reactive material

25 Unsafe Conditions Safety Hazards Atmospheric Hazards Unsafe Actions

26 Hazard Recognition  Solids (entrap)  Liquids (drown)  Atmospheric hazards  Machines or equipment (trap, squeeze or crush)  Bulk materials (shift or collapse)

27  Electrical shock  Rescue equipment (non- functional)  Size of entrance (too small)  Rusted ladder Hazard Recognition

28 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

29 Written Program 1.Identify Confined Spaces 2.Recognize Hazards 3.Testing and Controls 4.Emergency Procedures and Rescue 5.Responsible Parties

30 Written Program 6.Standby Procedures 7.Training Requirements 8.Permit Requirements 9.Pre-entry Requirements and Checks

31 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