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Confined Spaces – Part 1
An Overview of the Confined Spaces Issues
Dr H D Wickramatillake
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Confined Spaces Overview
Part 1 of this overview will cover the following:
How to identify a confined space,
Confined space hazards,
How to control or eliminate the hazards.
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Identifying a Confined Space
What is a confined space?
is large enough to get whole body inside,is not designed for human
occupation,has limited or restricted
entrance or exit.It must have all three characteristics to be a confined space.
A confined space is an enclosed space that:
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Identifying a Confined Space
What is limited or restricted entry or exit?The ability to easily escape in an emergency is impeded by such obstacles as:
a manholea small door or openinga laddera long tunnel
In most cases, a trench is not considered a confined space.
Restricted exit
Exit not restricted
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Identifying Confined Spaces
Examples of confined spaces
Tanks
Manholes & Sewers
Grain storage binsBoilers
Other examples include vaults, pipelines, tank cars, and ship holds
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Hazards of Confined Spaces
Basic Principles
For a description of an actual confined space fatality, click here.
Confined spaces can be deadly.Some confined spaces are more hazardous than others.Confined space conditions can change rapidly from no hazards to life-threatening hazards.Some confined spaces are so hazardous, a written permit system is required for entry.The hazards of confined spaces can often be controlled or eliminated before entering.
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Hazards of Confined SpacesWhat are the main hazards of confined spaces?
• Hazardous atmospheres
• Engulfing materials
• Entrapment
• Moving parts
• Electricity
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Hazard of Confined SpacesWhen is a confined space so dangerous a written
entry permit system is required?
• When there is an actual or potential “hazardous atmosphere” or
• when the space contains loose material that can engulf a person, or
• when the space is configured in a way that can trap a person, or
• when there is any other recognized serious safety and health hazard.
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Hazard Identification A “hazardous atmosphere” in a confined space has
one or more of the following: Flammable gas, mist or vapor
Oxygen content below 19.5% or above 23.5% Air contaminant concentrations that would cause death, incapacitation, or permanent
health problems
Flammable dusts
You must do air monitoring to determine if a hazardous atmosphere exists.
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Hazard IdentificationHazardous Atmospheres – Flammable Gases,
Vapors and Dusts
Flammable gases, vapors or dusts will ignite from a spark or flame if above a level in the air called the “lower flammable limit” (LFL).
Gas or vapor levels higher than 10% of the LFL are considered hazardous and the confined space cannot be entered until levels are reduced.
Amounts above 10% of the LFL are usually toxic as well.
LFL is sometimes called “LEL” – “lower explosive limit”
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Hazard Identification
Air100%
Methane
100%
Air0%
Methane0%
Too Rich
5.3%LFL
15.0%UFL
Example of flammable gas levels - Methane
Boom!
An open flame or a spark will cause an explosion when methane amount is between 5.3% and 15%, the upper flammable limit (UFL).
Too Lean
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Hazard Identification
Hazardous Atmospheres – Oxygen DeficiencyA reduction in oxygen is caused by tank rusting, microbe activity, or replacement by another gas.Lack of oxygen can cause a person to immediately collapse and die.Normal air contains 21% oxygen. A space with oxygen content below 19.5 % is considered “oxygen deficient”.
21% 0%19.5%
Oxygen deficiency exists
Oxygen content
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Hazard Identification
Effects of Oxygen Deficiency% Oxygen Symptoms19.5% - 16% Fatigue, mild impaired coordination16% - 12% Increased breathing rate and pulse;
impaired coordination, perception or judgment
12% - 10% Further increased breathing rate, blue lips, mental confusion
10% - 8% Fainting, nausea, vomiting, mental confusion within few minutes
8% - 6% Collapse, death within 8 minutes6% - 0% Coma within 40 seconds, death
Using an “inerting gas” like nitrogen, to counteract flammable vapors will result in an oxygen deficiency.
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Hazard Identification
A word about oxygen-enriched atmospheres
A confined space with oxygen amount above 23.5% is considered “oxygen-enriched”.
The source of extra oxygen is typically from leaking oxygen cylinders used for oxy-acetylene torches.
Oxygen above 23.5% is a fire or explosion hazard.
Green tanks contain oxygen
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Hazard Identification
Hazardous Atmospheres – Toxic Chemicals • At very high levels, most chemicals in the air can be immediately life-threatening or cause permanent bodily harm.
• Most chemicals have “permissible exposure limits” (PELs) which will cause harm if exceeded.• Even non-toxic or low-toxic chemicals can replace oxygen if levels are high enough.
• At lower levels, chemicals in the air can still cause harm.
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Hazard Identification
Hazardous Atmosphere – Toxic Chemicals
The most common toxic chemicals in confined spaces fatalities are hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide. Other toxic chemicals can include welding fumes, vapors from liquid residues in storage tanks, or chemical products used in the confined space.Chemicals can quickly reach toxic levels in the air of a confined space, especially gases, solvent vapors or sprayed products.
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Hazard Identification
Hazardous Atmospheres–Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Hydrogen sulfide gas is commonly found in sewers.It can be instantly fatal at higher levels in a confined space.Disturbing sewage sludge can release more hydrogen sulfide gas.
H2S in parts per million (ppm)
30 200 2000100 1000
Death in minutes
Smell strong odor
Instant collapse
Coughing,red eyes
Loss of smell
600
Unconscious in 30 min.
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Hazard Identification
Hazardous Atmospheres – Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide comes from operating internal combustion engines in or near confined space.Propane-powered engines also emit carbon monoxide.Fatal levels of CO are quickly reached in confined spaces.
Propane-powered manlift in a large tankThe PEL for CO is 35 ppm. To
see the effects of CO, click here
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Hazard Identification
What are the Hazards of Engulfing Material?
Engulfing materials include liquids or loose solids such as grain, sand or other granular material.
People cannot escape when caught in moving loose solids and usually suffocate.
Workers often get engulfed when in-feed or out-feed lines are inadvertently opened or activated.
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Hazard IdentificationWhat is Entrapment?
The space is configured in a way that can trap a worker, for example, sides sloping towards the center
Gravel hopper Sawdust Cyclone
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Hazard Identification
Other Recognized Hazards
Electrical lines, steam lines or hydraulic lines
Mechanical hazards (moving parts)
Hazards caused by the work(welding, painting etc.)
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Controlling the Space
• Prevent employee entry.
• Remove or reduce hazards in the space first, before a person enters.
• If hazard cannot be controlled, you must use a written permit system to enter safely.
The hazards of a confined space can be be controlled in the following ways:
See Part 2 for more information on a written permit system.
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Controlling the Space
Warning employees and controlling access
Limit employee access to confined spaces by using entry barriers or locks.
Post warning signs at the entrance of confined spaces.
Make sure that unauthorized workers do not enter the confined space.
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Hazard Control
How To Control Hazardous Atmospheres
Drain or pump out liquid contents, if any.Blank off all in-feeding lines.Air test and ventilate.Continue ventilating constantly.If possible, remove any sludge from outside the confined space.Exit space if conditions deteriorate.
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Hazard Control
Hazardous Atmospheres DangersIt is difficult to eliminate hazardous atmospheres in most sewers lines.
Tank sludge or sewer sludge can release toxic gases during cleanup.
Toxic or flammable gases can exist in pockets or layers.
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Hazard Elimination
How To Eliminate Physical Hazards
Lock-out moving parts
De-energize electrical parts or wiring
Blank or block steam pipes and product in-feeding pipes.
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If Hazards Can’t Be Eliminated
If hazards cannot be completely eliminated, there are only two options:
a complete written permit system, or
“alternate procedures.”
Both require training of employees.
See Part 2 for more information on entry procedures.
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Additional Information
More information is available on WISHA webpageThis presentation is just an overview and does not cover all requirements.For more information on how to put together a confined space program for your workplace, go to:
For additional assistance, you can call one of our consultants. Click below for local L & I office locations:http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/consultation/regional_consultants.htm
http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/rules/confinedspace/helpfultools.htm
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Confined Space Quiz
Question 1
Which of following are considered confined spaces?
a) A sewer manholeb) A sub-basement vault with only one doorc) A 20 foot deep ditchd) A 30-gallon drum
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Confined Spaces Quiz
Question 2
When can a hazardous atmospheres be fatal?
a) When there is not enough airb) When there is 2% methanec) When there is 10% oxygend) When there is no ventilation
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Confined Spaces Quiz
Question 3Which of the following is not a good way to
control hazardous atmospheres?
a) Ventilate for two hours before enteringb) Drain or pump out liquid contentsc) Air test and ventilate continuouslyd) Remove any sludge from outside the space