HAZARDS HAZARDS OF OF

CONFINED SPACESCONFINED SPACES

City of LangleyCity of Langley

As per OG #2.14.06, Confined Space Rescue, As per OG #2.14.06, Confined Space Rescue, Policy:Policy: ““Only personnel trained in confined space Only personnel trained in confined space

operations will enter confined spaces.”operations will enter confined spaces.”

This session does not constitute confines space This session does not constitute confines space operations training, it is simply an awareness operations training, it is simply an awareness session. session.

AGENDAAGENDA

What is Confined SpaceWhat is Confined Space

Danger’s of Unplanned Rescue Attempts Danger’s of Unplanned Rescue Attempts

HazardsHazards

Oxygen LevelsOxygen Levels

Toxins / ExplosionsToxins / Explosions

Physical HazardsPhysical Hazards

WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?

A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed area that is: area that is:

Is large enough to get a whole body inside, Is large enough to get a whole body inside,

Is not designed for someone to work in regularly, Is not designed for someone to work in regularly, but workers may need to enter the confined space but workers may need to enter the confined space

for tasks such as:for tasks such as: inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and

repair.repair.

Entry and exit is difficult and can complicate rescue Entry and exit is difficult and can complicate rescue procedures.procedures.

WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE? Examples of confined spaces:Examples of confined spaces:

TanksTanks Manure pitsManure pits (e.g.. Mushroom (e.g.. Mushroom

barn)barn)

Storage binsStorage bins

Boilers Boilers

Double hullsDouble hulls

VatsVats

Pumping stationsPumping stations

KilnsKilns

Pits, sumpsPits, sumps

VaultsVaults

VesselsVessels

Silos Silos

ManholesManholes

PipelinesPipelines

Water reservoirsWater reservoirs

Sewers, Other similar spacesSewers, Other similar spaces

WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE? Entry into confined spaces can be very hazardous Entry into confined spaces can be very hazardous

and potentially deadly. and potentially deadly.

Unless proper training, equipment, and procedures Unless proper training, equipment, and procedures are in place, workers are in place, workers are notare not allowed to enter such allowed to enter such spaces. spaces.

A worker is considered to have entered a confined A worker is considered to have entered a confined space just by putting his or her head across the space just by putting his or her head across the plane of the opening.plane of the opening.

Absolutely no employee may enter a confined space Absolutely no employee may enter a confined space for any reason unless properly trainedfor any reason unless properly trained awareness training such as this session does not qualify as awareness training such as this session does not qualify as

the training needed to enter a confined space.the training needed to enter a confined space.

WHAT ARE THE WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE

RESCUE?RESCUE? Did you Know:Did you Know:

TWO-THIRDS,TWO-THIRDS, Of all confined space fatalities occur among would-be rescuers.Of all confined space fatalities occur among would-be rescuers.

Who is a rescuer?Who is a rescuer?

Anyone (Anyone (workers, police, ambulance, fire, etcworkers, police, ambulance, fire, etc.) who attempts to save .) who attempts to save someone in a confined space. someone in a confined space.

If you come upon a scene where you hear of or see people who have If you come upon a scene where you hear of or see people who have succumb to vapors/fumes, etc. and are conscious or unconscious succumb to vapors/fumes, etc. and are conscious or unconscious DO NOT DO NOT rush inrush in. Analyze the environment to establish if the area may be a . Analyze the environment to establish if the area may be a confined space or an exposure (ex. Carbon monoxide in a garage).confined space or an exposure (ex. Carbon monoxide in a garage).

Remember, even a well-planned rescue can end up as a body retrieval.Remember, even a well-planned rescue can end up as a body retrieval.

To prevent deaths:To prevent deaths: It is critical to use good confined space entry practices It is critical to use good confined space entry practices ANDAND training so training so

that there is no need for rescue operations.that there is no need for rescue operations.

WHAT ARE THE WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE

RESCUE?RESCUE? WHY HAVE CONFINED SPACES KILLED SO MANY PEOPLE?WHY HAVE CONFINED SPACES KILLED SO MANY PEOPLE?

Confined spaces are deceiving. Confined spaces are deceiving.

A confined space often appears to be harmless; no danger signs are A confined space often appears to be harmless; no danger signs are apparent & the space may have been entered on prior occasions apparent & the space may have been entered on prior occasions without incident. However, a worker cannot assume that conditions without incident. However, a worker cannot assume that conditions have not changed and that the space is safe for entry each time. have not changed and that the space is safe for entry each time.

WHY DO SO MANY FATALITES RESULT FROM EMERGENCY RESCUE?WHY DO SO MANY FATALITES RESULT FROM EMERGENCY RESCUE? Fatalities can occur when the rescuers:Fatalities can occur when the rescuers:

Are overcome by their emotionsAre overcome by their emotions Take unnecessary chancesTake unnecessary chances Do not know the hazards involvedDo not know the hazards involved Do not have a plan of actionDo not have a plan of action Lack confines space rescue trainingLack confines space rescue training

WHAT ARE THE WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE

RESCUE?RESCUE? IS IT IMPORTANT TO INFORM CONFINED SPACE WORKERS AND RESCUERS IS IT IMPORTANT TO INFORM CONFINED SPACE WORKERS AND RESCUERS

OF THE FOUR-MINUTE LIMINATION?OF THE FOUR-MINUTE LIMINATION?

Absolutely. It is important to know that the period of time for successful rescue is Absolutely. It is important to know that the period of time for successful rescue is very limited. Otherwise, a rescue attempt will become body retrieval. After only very limited. Otherwise, a rescue attempt will become body retrieval. After only four minutes without oxygen, it is very likely that a worker will experience four minutes without oxygen, it is very likely that a worker will experience asphyxiation, which may result in brain damage or death.asphyxiation, which may result in brain damage or death.

WHAT DOES ONE NEED TO ASSUME IN ANY CONFINED SPACE RESCUE WHAT DOES ONE NEED TO ASSUME IN ANY CONFINED SPACE RESCUE OPERATION?OPERATION?

Everyone involved in a rescue should assume that the space is deadly!Everyone involved in a rescue should assume that the space is deadly!

Under no circumstance should you rush in to rescue unless you have the Under no circumstance should you rush in to rescue unless you have the training, PPE, equipment, and safe work procedures to do so. training, PPE, equipment, and safe work procedures to do so.

WHAT ARE THE HAZARDS OF CONFINED WHAT ARE THE HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACES?SPACES?

The atmosphere in a confined space may The atmosphere in a confined space may be hazardous for several reasons:be hazardous for several reasons:

The air may have too little or too much oxygen. The air may have too little or too much oxygen.

The atmosphere may be toxic or explosive.The atmosphere may be toxic or explosive.

Confined spaces could also have some of the Confined spaces could also have some of the physical hazards.physical hazards.

TOO LITTLE / TOO MUCH TOO LITTLE / TOO MUCH OXYGEN IN CONFINED SPACESOXYGEN IN CONFINED SPACES

Lack of oxygen is a leading cause of death among workers entering confined spaces.Lack of oxygen is a leading cause of death among workers entering confined spaces.

Low oxygen levels cannot be detected by sight or smell. You must test the air for this Low oxygen levels cannot be detected by sight or smell. You must test the air for this hazardous condition. A very low level of oxygen can damage the brain and cause the heart hazardous condition. A very low level of oxygen can damage the brain and cause the heart to stop after a few minutes.to stop after a few minutes.

What causes oxygen deficiency?What causes oxygen deficiency?

Here are some common causes of oxygen deficiency (not enough oxygen) in a confined Here are some common causes of oxygen deficiency (not enough oxygen) in a confined space:space:

Oxygen is used up when metals rust.Oxygen is used up when metals rust.

Oxygen is used up during combustion — for example, by propane space heaters, Oxygen is used up during combustion — for example, by propane space heaters, during cutting or welding, and by internal combustion engines.during cutting or welding, and by internal combustion engines.

Oxygen can be replaced by other gases — for example, welding gases or gases forced Oxygen can be replaced by other gases — for example, welding gases or gases forced into the space to prevention corrosion.into the space to prevention corrosion.

Micro-organisms use up oxygen — for example, in sewer lines and fermentation Micro-organisms use up oxygen — for example, in sewer lines and fermentation vessels.vessels.

Too much oxygen is not as common a hazard as low oxygen, but it is also dangerous.Too much oxygen is not as common a hazard as low oxygen, but it is also dangerous.

Too much oxygen greatly increases the risk of fire or explosion in the confined space.Too much oxygen greatly increases the risk of fire or explosion in the confined space.

Materials that would not normally catch fire or burn in normal air may do so extremely Materials that would not normally catch fire or burn in normal air may do so extremely quickly and easily where there is a high level of oxygen.quickly and easily where there is a high level of oxygen.

THE AIR MAY BE TOXIC OR THE AIR MAY BE TOXIC OR EXPLOSIVEEXPLOSIVE

Contaminants in the air can result in an atmosphere that is Contaminants in the air can result in an atmosphere that is toxic to workers and may result in injury or death.toxic to workers and may result in injury or death.

Some toxic gases typically found in confined spaces are:Some toxic gases typically found in confined spaces are:

Argon (Ar) Argon (Ar) ~~ Displaces OxygenDisplaces Oxygen

Carbon dioxide (CO2) Carbon dioxide (CO2) ~ Displaces oxygen, toxic~ Displaces oxygen, toxic

Carbon monoxide (CO) Carbon monoxide (CO) ~ Toxic~ Toxic

Chlorine (Cl2) Chlorine (Cl2) ~ Toxic~ Toxic

Gasoline VaporsGasoline Vapors ~ Fire and explosion ~ Fire and explosion

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) ~ Flammable, toxic~ Flammable, toxic

Methane (CH4) Methane (CH4) ~ Fire and explosion~ Fire and explosion

Nitrogen (N2) Nitrogen (N2) ~ Displaces oxygen~ Displaces oxygen

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) ~ Toxic~ Toxic

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) Sulfur dioxide (SO2) ~ Toxic~ Toxic

Oxygen (O2) Oxygen (O2) ~ Low and High levels cause asphyxiate / explosion~ Low and High levels cause asphyxiate / explosion

PHYSICAL HAZARDS OF CONFINED PHYSICAL HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACESPACE

Loose and unstable materialsLoose and unstable materials Whenever unstable solids made of small particles like sand or

grain are stored in enclosures, there is a danger of the materials flowing onto workers and trapping or burying them.

Slips, trip and fall hazardsSlips, trip and fall hazards The space you are about to enter may have a hatchway that is

difficult to squeeze through, and ladders for ascending or descending. You are therefore at risk of falling while getting into the space as well as while you are inside. In addition, the flooring of tanks or other wet environments or the rungs of a ladder may be very slippery.

Falling objectsFalling objects In a confined space there may be the danger of being struck by

falling objects such as tools or equipment, particularly if access ports or workstations are located above workers.

PHYSICAL HAZARDS OF CONFINED PHYSICAL HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACESPACE

Moving parts of equipment and machineryMoving parts of equipment and machinery Mechanical equipment such as augers, mixers, or rotating tanks

can be dangerous if activated or not secured. Residual energy, such as gravity or accumulated pressure, may also pose a risk unless the equipment is locked out and de-energized.

Electrical shockElectrical shock All electrical sources that pose a hazard to workers inside the

space must be locked out following the written lockout procedure for the particular confined space.

Substances entering through pipingSubstances entering through piping Piping adjacent to a confined space could contain liquids or

gases or other harmful substances. Substances must be prevented from entering the confined space through piping. This is done by “isolating” the piping from the confined space.

PHYSICAL HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACEPHYSICAL HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACE Poor visibilityPoor visibility

Emergency lighting such as flashlights or battery-operated area units must be provided where necessary, so that workers can locate exits and escape.

Temperature extremesTemperature extremes Special precautions are needed before workers enter equipment such as boilers,

reaction vessels, and low-temperature systems. A qualified person must provide these procedures.

NoiseNoise Noise produced in confined spaces can be particularly harmful because of

reflection off walls.

Risk of drowningRisk of drowning Confined spaces should be fully drained or dry when entered. Spaces

that are not fully drained or dry may pose a risk of drowning. The risk of drowning in a vat or tank with a large amount of liquid is easily recognized. However, workers have drowned in small pools of liquid. For example, insufficient oxygen, the presence of a toxic gas, or a blow to the head can make workers unconscious. Workers who have fallen face-down into a small pool of water have drowned.

CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAMCONFINED SPACE ENTRY PROGRAM

Before workers perform work in a confined space, the employer must prepare and implement a written confined space entry program.

The confined space entry program must include the following:

An assignment of responsibilities.

A list of each confined space or group of similar spaces, and a written hazard assessment of those spaces prepared by a qualified person.

Written safe work procedures for entry into and work in each of the confined spaces. Each procedure must be written specifically for each of the hazards that exist in each space during each entry.

The equipment necessary for each entry must also be provided, including testing devices, air-moving devices, isolation and lockout devices, and personal protective equipment.

A signed permit where required.

Training of employees.

A rescue plan.

WorkSafeBC Video: WorkSafeBC Video: Confined Space AwarenessConfined Space Awareness

Questions? Questions?