a quick overview….bedoksafetygroup.wsh.sg/attachments/articles/wsh-confinedspace… · be...

1

Bedok Safety Group Seminar13 May 2010

Workplace Safety & Heath (Confined Spaces) Regulations 2009

And

13 May 2010

1® All Rights Reserved

Accident Case Studies

A Quick Overview….

Rationale behind the WSH (Confined Spaces) RegulationsThe WSH (Confined Spaces) Regulations largely adopt the existing regulations 25 of GP Regulations. It also upgrade many of the key provisions under CP84 to regulations. In addition, we have also make reference to

The Beginning….

GP Regs 25 CP84International

Regs & StandardsNew dedicated WSH

(CS) Regs

The WSH (CS) Regulations hence is largely a consolidation of the GP Regs 25 and CP 84. Therefore industry should already be familiar with the requirements as they are not new.

pg y y p gsome of the international regulations and standards, where appropriate.

2

Key focus is to put in place a systematic and rigorous structure to ensure proper conduct of Risk Assessment and execution of control measures for entry into and safe working in confined spaces

® All Rights Reserved

2

• PART 1 – Preliminary

New WSH (Confined Spaces) Regulations 2009

Arrangements of Parts

• PART 2 – General Provisions

• PART 3 – Control of Entry into Confined Space

• PART 4 - Miscellaneous

3® All Rights Reserved

1. Definitions

2. Application & Coverage


Key Features

pp g

3. Duty-holder for Compliance

4. Definition of Confined Space

5. Record of Confined Space

6. Control of Entry into Confined Space

7. Periodic Testing of Atmosphere

4

8. Warning Signs at Entrance of Confined Space

9. Display of Name or Identification Badge

10.Training of Workers & Supervisors

11.Appointment of Confined Space Attendant

12.Establishment of Emergency and Rescue plans® All Rights Reserved

3

Confined Space – Means any chamber, tank, manhole,

Confined Spaces - DefinitionRegulation 2 - Definitions

vat, silo, pit, pipe, flue or other enclosed space , in which –

1. Dangerous gases, vapors or fumes are liable to be present to such an extent as to involve a risk of fire or explosion or persons being overcome by the gases, vapors or fumes or

2. The supply of air is inadequate, or is likely to be reduced to be i d t f t i i lif

5

inadequate for sustaining life or

3. There is a risk of engulfment by material



Definitions – Key Legal Persons

• Competent Person – means a person who has sufficient experience and training to perform the work required to be carried out

• Authorised Manager – means an Authorised Manager appointed under regulation 9 and includes any other person appointed to perform the duties of an Authorised Manager by the Responsible Person

• Confined Space Attendant – means a Confined Space Attendant appointed under regulation 22

• Confined Space Entry Permit – means a permit issued under regulation 13

• Confined Space Safety Assessor means a Confined Space Safety Assessor

6

• Confined Space Safety Assessor – means a Confined Space Safety Assessor appointed under regulation 9

• Responsible Person – in relation to a person entering or working in a CS, means –

a) His employer; or

b) The principal under whose direction he enters or works in the CS® All Rights Reserved

4


Definitions

• “Entry” means ingress by a person into a confined space whichEntry means ingress by a person into a confined space which occurs when the person’s head passes through an opening into the confined space;

• “Hazardous Atmosphere” means an atmosphere where —a) the level of oxygen in the atmosphere is not within the range of

19.5% to 23.5% by volume; b) the level of flammable gas or vapour in the atmosphere is 10%

f it l l i li it

7

or more of its lower explosive limit; or c) the levels of toxic substances in the atmosphere exceed the

permissible exposure levels as specified in the First Schedule to the Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations;



Key Features2. Application and Coverage

Apply to all workplaces as specified in the First pp y p pSchedule of the WSH Act.

3. Duty-Holder for ComplianceEmployer or Principal (Responsible Person) largely responsible for complianceOccupier responsible for issues affecting

8

physical facilities such as record of CS and access / egressSpecific duties also designated to special Individuals eg. CS Assessor, Authorized Manager and the Competent Person.


5

4. Definition of Confined Space


Key Features

To include any enclosed space in which there is a risk of engulfment by material.

5. Record of Confined SpaceTo require making a Record of Description and Location of all CS in the factory (for

ll fi d d t ti CS)

9

all fixed and stationary CS)To inform persons who are liable to be exposed to the hazards of the CS, of the existence and hazards of the CS.

6 Control of Entry into Confined Space


Key Features

6. Control of Entry into Confined SpaceBefore any entry into a CS, duty of Responsible Person to ensure

Implementation of CS Entry Permit (CSEP)Appointment of CS Assessor, Authorized ManagerEvaluation of necessity for entry or work in the CSEnsure that CSEP has been issued which specifies:

• Description and location of the CS

10

• Description and location of the CS• Purpose of entry into CS• Results of gas testing of the atmosphere of the CS• Validity period for the CSEP


6


Key Features

6. Confined Space Entry Permit (CSEP)

CSEP system comprise the following steps

Application of CSEP by the Supervisor

Evaluation of CSEP by the CS Assessor

Conduct testing of atmosphere of the CS

Endorse the CSEP and forward to Authorized Manager

Issuance of the CSEP by Authorized Manager on satisfaction that

11

y gentry into or work in the CS can be carried out with due regard to safety and health of persons

Posting of the CSEP at the entrance to the CS

Monitoring to ensure safety and health of worker during entry into or work in the CS.



Key Features

7. Periodic Testing of Atmosphere

CS Assessor to test the atmosphere of the CS at periodic intervals

If there are 2 or more persons in the CS, at least one of them continuously monitor the atmosphere in the CS with a suitable gas detector

If hazardous atmosphere detected by the tests or continuous monitoring,

12

monitoring,

All persons in the CS must vacate immediately

An evaluation is made to determine how the hazardous atmosphere developed

No person shall re-enter the CS until a new CSEP is issued by the Authorized Manager


7


Key Features

8. Warning Sign at Entrance of CSOccupier to clearly post a Notice at the entrance to the CS to warn persons of the hazards of the CS

13

9. Display of Name or Identification BadgeOccupier to clearly post a notice at the entrance to the CS to warn persons of the hazards of the CS


10.Training of Workers and Supervisors


Key Features

Specific mandatory training requirements for workers and supervisors working in a CS.

11. Appointment of Confined Space Attendant The appointment of a Confined Space Attendant whenever entry into work is

14

ycarried out in CS.

12.Establishment of Emergency and Rescue Plan To ensure prompt and safe recovery of personnel during accidents in CS


8

Confined SpaceConfined SpaceConfined Space Confined Space

Accident Case StudiesAccident Case Studies

• Food flavorings manufacturing factory

Case 1 : Case 1 : Toxic Poisoning in FoodToxic Poisoning in Food ReactorReactorCase 1 : Case 1 : Toxic Poisoning in FoodToxic Poisoning in Food ReactorReactor

g y

• Accident occurred in a thermal reactor / mixer standing at 1.8 m tall

O k kill d h• One worker killed when he was washing the interior of the reactor


9

• Reactor use to mix food grade products in elevated temperature

Case 1 : Case 1 : BackgroundBackgroundCase 1 : Case 1 : BackgroundBackground

Interior of thermal reactor

temperature

• Worker tasked to wash the interior of the reactor from the outside using a high pressure water jet

• Worker was found dead with body half inside the reactor

High pressure water-jet® All Rights Reserved

• Worker need not enter into reactor

• Burn patches found inside

Case 1 : Case 1 : FindingsFindingsCase 1 : Case 1 : FindingsFindings

Interior of thermal reactor

• Burn patches found inside the tank. Presumably worker tried to enter and remove the patches

• Concentration of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) detected within the tank.

• H2S could be formed under high temperature reaction High pressure

water-jet

10

• There was no risk assessment done

• Occupier did not consider there was a need* to enter into tank, thus:


– There was no SWP / entry permit – There was no gas testing/ventilation– There was no emergency respond plan / equipment

* interviewing of workers revealed that previous entry has been made before and mgmt knew such a problem existed

• Worker was new to the job. No training / information on the hazards and risk was given.

• No means to prevent unauthorised entry


• Chemical industry in

Case Case 2 2 : : Explosion from Chemical Storage Explosion from Chemical Storage TankTank

Case Case 2 2 : : Explosion from Chemical Storage Explosion from Chemical Storage TankTank

lubrication oil manufacturing

• Accident occurred at a chemical storage tank

• Two workers killed and two injured when they were washing the interior of the tank


11

• The tank was emptied of content (lubricating oil) and rinsed with xylene

Case 3 : Case 3 : BackgroundBackgroundCase 3 : Case 3 : BackgroundBackground

• Two workers was to clean the tank by hydro jetting the interior while standing on the outside

• A spark caused by the hydro• A spark caused by the hydro jet hitting against the wall of the tank initiated an explosion, killing two and injured another two working nearby


• Tank was not purged or ventilated after being rinsed with solvent. Presumably, the xylenevapourised and formed a flammable mixture


• Adjacent tank measured with > 100% LEL

• No measures in place– There was no risk assessment conducted– There was no gas testing to determine the

level of flammability inside the tanklevel of flammability inside the tank– There was no ventilation – No consideration for usage of proper

equipment (e.g. explosion proof / intrinsically safe)


12

Confined Space

Mechanical Ventilation

Risk Assessment

Gas Testing

Where were the gaps?Where were the gaps?

F t lF t l

Confined Space Entry Permit

No forced ventilation provided

No RA conducted & no safe work procedure

N t ti Fatal Fatal AccidentAccident

Swiss Cheese ModelSwiss Cheese ModelNo CSEP & no CS attendant

No gas testing carried out

Always regard the confined Always regard the confined

Learning Points

space as not safe for entry space as not safe for entry until proven otherwise.until proven otherwise.

24Source: Wordpress.com ® All Rights Reserved

13

Learning PointsDon’t be a Hero

Never assume that you can carry out rescue with proper rescue equipment and the assistance of others

Identification of CS and evaluation of need to enter

Basic Elements of CSP

Evaluation of risks

of entering/working in

CS

Appointment of

Responsible Personnel

Confined space entry permit system

Training and Information

Emergency Preparedness and rescue


Be conscious of concentration of airborne contaminantsDo not simply put in blowers and assume that

ventilation provided is adequate. Always conduct gas testing of atmosphere within the confined space.

ConclusionConclusionHazard

Do your Risk AssessmentDo your Risk Assessment

Incident

RealityIdeal

26

Do your Risk AssessmentDo your Risk AssessmentBut alsoBut also

RecogniseRecognise the gaps within the gaps within your layers of protectionyour layers of protection


14

Resources and Useful References• Ministry of Manpower• www.mom.gov.sg/oshd• Workplace Safety and Health (Confined Spaces) p f y ( f p )

Regulations 2009

• SPRING Singapore• www.spring.gov.sg• CP 84:2000 Code of Practice for entry into and

safety working in confined space


Resources and Useful References• Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC)• www.wshc.sg• Technical Advisory for working safely in y f g f y

confined space• Confined space plan checklist• CS safety guidebook for supervisors and workers• CS posters and stickers• Video on confined space safety

• WorkSafe BC• Guidelines, training videos and • presentations on confined space hazards•http://www2.worksafebc.com/Topics/ConfinedSpaces/Resources.asp


a quick overview….bedoksafetygroup.wsh.sg/attachments/articles/wsh-confinedspace… · be...

Documents