Process For Identifying Confined Spaces

Process for IdentifyingConfined SpacesWarren K Brown,CSP, ARM, CSHMWynn Stewart, of Dupont --1

Bahrain 20102

Bahrain 20103

IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES PROOF OF THE NEEDSOME DEFINITIONSTHE PROCESSDOCUMENTING THE PROCESSIDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES PROOF OF NEED Fatalities usually result from lack ofprocedure. Unapproved lighting system results in fireFlammable gas leaked into spaceFailure to follow lockout procedureEquipment failure or malfunctionNo test for toxic or oxygen deficientatmosphereEntry was made for no known reasonFailed to use safety harness and lifeline4

Altruism Unselfish regard for others and thebehavior may be harmful to theperson exhibiting altruism.Studies have indicated that we maybe programmed biologically to helpothers in an altruistic manner.Safety professionals must remindwould be rescuers to beware of therisk associated with a rescue.Altruism It is important to point out thedangers that may surround aconfined space rescue. If youattempt a rescue without appropriateprecautions you may die and otherswho may be involved may die.Remind your audience of theimportance of not being misled bytheir altruistic feelings.5

Confined Space Fatalities From Safteng.net(2014 49)(2013 85)(2012 54)(2011 62)(2010 112)(2009 73)(2008 137)6

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Incident- 2/4/10- Minnesota After nearly 8 hours emergency workers rescuedan elevator manager who was trapped inside acorn silo. At about 7:30 PM the manager wasrescued from the 50 foot deep silo he fell into at11:20 AM. When a truck was being loaded hewent into the silo to loosen a clog-the cornshifted below him pinning him against the wallchest deep. Rescue workers built a plywood boxaround him and scooped the corn out. Afternearly 8 hours he was lowered to the ground witha SCBA on his back placed there by rescueworkers. He survived the ordeal.Incident- 2/9/10- Wisconsin A man was freed from a grain bin afterbeing trapped for 4 hours with noapparent injuries. Rescue workers usedsaws to cut through the sides of the metalgrain bin to unload grain so they couldreach the victim. They had to use frontend loaders to move the grain that pouredout. Grain bin entrapment can be deadly.According to Texas A&M universityextension, more than 200 farmers in theUS alone have died in grain bin suffocationincidents over the past three decades.8

Incident-2/9/10 Construction worker dies insideunused sewer line attempting to pullout a valve. Likely he was exposedto hydrogen sulfide but notdetermined yet. Investigation todetermine if procedures for entrywere followed. Managers indicatedthat procedures for confined spacesshould have been followed.Incident-12/31/09-Africa Four employees lost their lives in asteel mill oven. Initial informationindicates that there may have beennitrogen gas at a high level in theoven. The oven had been idle for aweek to allow maintenance work tobe performed.9

Incident- 1/7/10-Southeast Asia Four workers die cleaning sewer.Preliminary information indicated highwater levels and the workers had nosafety equipment other than a flashlight.An official indicated that equipment wasavailable but evidently was not used. Thistype of work is generally not performed byregular employees and the workers mayhave not received significant safetytraining. Rain at the time caused higherthan expected water levels.Incidents– 2/2010 Five more deaths and three neardeath in US and Philippines—Workinginside underground storage tanksputting coatings on tanks—unclearhow much confined space entryprocedure in place at this time.10

November 2014 Incident Long time employee died from grainengulfment in a grain storage binvictim had been trained and wasusing appropriate equipment andfollowing company confined spaceentry procedures.This event occurred in MinnesotaFebruary 2014 Incident Grain bin was being unloaded-victimhad been in and out of bin but wasthought to have left the scene-whenit was determined that he had notleft the scene, after 6.5 hours ofemptying the bin the victim waslocated inside the bin-coronerpronounced him dead at the scene.11

April 2012 Incident Five workers installing piping in shaftvalve in a glass making plant inNorthwest China suffocated.Investigation was continuing.January 2012 Incident Worker cleaning a boiler in achemical factory died from inhaling apoisionous gas-his son and anengineer suffer same fate as theyattempted a rescue-fire serviceeventually removed the victims.12

IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES DEFINITIONS: A confined space is an area that: has limited or restricted means of entry orexit-andis large enough for a worker to enter andperform an assigned task-andis not designed for continuous employeeoccupancy.Any open top tank or pit more than four(4) feet deep that meets the aboveconditions is also considered a confinedspace.IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES STORAGE TANKSDEGREASERSPITSVENTILATIONDUCTSMACHINERY PITSVESSELSMANHOLES BOILERSFURNACESVATSSEWERSTUNNELSSILOSOPEN SURFACETANKS13

IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES CAUTION: There may be spacesthat a worker cannot completelyenter but may as a result of the worktask requirements introduce anatmospheric hazard. Even thoughthe space does not strictly meet theconfined space requirements, someconfined space procedures may needto be used.IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES Entry into a confined space occurswhen any part of the entrants bodyenters the opening into the space.What has previously been stored in aconfined space must be considered.What is being taken into a confinedspace must be considered also.14

IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES Classifying confined spaces: All confined spaces must be evaluatedand classified as : non-permit confined spacepermit-required confined spacePeople are then informed by posted signsat each space and a confined space logshould be maintained and updated asconditions warrant.IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES Non-permit confined space: A confined space that does not containor have the potential to contain anyhazard capable of causing death orserious physical harm. Examples wouldbe areas with natural or permanentventilation that will not allowaccumulations of hazardousatmospheres. If there is a change inconfiguration the area must be reevaluated.15

IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES Permit-required confined spacecontains or has potential to containone or more of: Atmosphere hazard Engulfment hazard Configuration hazard Any other recognized serious safety orhealth hazardIDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES Hazardous atmosphere may exposeemployee to serious risk of death,incapacitation, impairment, injury oracute illness.Hazardous atmosphere: Oxygen concentration is below 19.5% orabove 23.5% Flammable gas, vapor or mist exceeds10% of its lower flammable limit(LFL)16

IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES Airborne dust concentration meetingor exceeding the LFL.Atmospheric concentration of asubstance whose TLV exceedsacceptable standards.Any other atmospheric hazard thatcould impair an employees ability toescape or be IDLH.IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES Engulfment hazard: Surrounding and capture of a person bya liquid or finely divided flowable solidsubstance such as grain, salt, sand orplastic pellets. The substance can eitherplug the respiratory system or constrictbreathing by exerting pressure on theoutside of the body. Trenching cave-inscould fall into this category as well asbridged materials in a silo for example.17

IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES Configuration hazards: An internal configuration that could trapand or asphyxiate an employee.Examples could be inwardly convergingwalls or a chute that tapers to a smallercross section. Mixing tanks, grainprocessing tanks, sand chutes and ductwork could fall into this category.IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES Other Hazards: A hazard capable of causing death orserious physical harm. Examples couldbe high pressure gas lines, steam lines,footing problems, temperatureextremes, electrical concerns, minimumwork room and mechanical problems.18

IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES The process: Procure a confined space hazardanalysis form Analyze maps and drawings of yourfacilities-you will need at least threemaps and drawings-one of the mainfloor, one of the undergroundenvironment and one of the roof.Additional floors, mezzanines, vaultsand penthouses must be looked at aswell. Don’t forget the area around theperimeter of your facility.IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES Document the process : Complete a Confined Space HazardAnalysis Form for each suspected space. All spaces that are considered confinedspaces are then transferred to theconfined space log. Create a separate log for permit andnon-permit confined spaces. Have the spaces marked with anappropriate sign.19

IDENTIFYING CONFINEDSPACES The process (continued): When looking at the maps and drawingsbe looking for manholes, pits, tanks,storm drains, furnaces, bins, hoppers,vaults, vessels, silos and ducts. Make an all important walk throughlooking at potential sites identified inthe preliminary evaluation as well assites observed during the walk through.20

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SUMP BASIN22

IMPREGNATION TANKOPEN IMPREGNATION TANK23

STORM DRAINWATER METER PIT24

OPEN WATER METER PITCOOLING TOWER ACCESS25

IMPREGNATION RINSE TANKOPEN IMPREGNATION RINSE TANK26

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the space does not strictly meet the confined space requirements, some confined space procedures may need to be used. IDENTIFYING CONFINED SPACES Entry into a confined space occurs when any part of the entrants body enters the opening into the space. What has previously been stored