The Confined Spaces Regulations were introduced last year to tackle fatalities when working where space is at a premium. Electrical Contractor looks at how to assess the risk.
On average, work in confined spaces kills 15 people every year in the UK across a wide range of industries, with many more seriously injured. The risk is not just to operatives: those killed include the rescue team working without proper training and equipment.

Services contractors will be more exposed than most to the risks of working in confined spaces. It can be any space of an enclosed nature where there is a risk of death or serious injury from hazardous substances or dangerous conditions such as lack of oxygen.

Dangers can arise from: a lack of oxygen; poisonous gas, fume or vapour; liquids or solids which can suddenly fill the space or release gases into it; fire and explosions (eg from flammable vapours, excess oxygen etc); residues left in tanks or remaining on internal surfaces which can give off gas, fume or vapour; dust; hot conditions leading to a dangerous increase in body temperature.

Your responsibilities

Contractors must ensure that they have carried out a suitable assessment of the risks for all work activities for the purpose of deciding what measures are necessary for safety (The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992). For work in confined spaces this means identifying the hazards present, assessing the risks and determining what precautions to take. In most cases the assessment will include consideration of: the task; the working environment; working materials and tools; the suitability of those carrying out the tasks; arrangements for emergency rescue.

If the assessment identifies risks of serious injury from work in confined spaces then the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 apply.

Introduced on 28 January 1998, these regulations contain the following key duties: avoid entry to confined spaces, eg by doing the work from outside; if entry to a confined space is unavoidable, follow a safe system of work; and put in place emergency arrangements before the work starts.

Avoiding entry

You must check whether or not the work can be done in another way so that entry or work in confined spaces is avoided.

It is conceivable that the confined space could be modified so that entry is not necessary. Or it may be possible to have the work done from outside.

For example, inspection, sampling and cleaning operations can often be done from outside the space using appropriate equipment and tools. Remote cameras can also be used for inspection of vessels.

Safe working

If entry to a confined space cannot be avoided, you have to ensure a safe system for working inside the space.

Make sure that the safe system of work, including the precautions identified, is developed and put into practice. Everyone will need to be properly trained and instructed to make sure they know what to do and how to do it safely. The following checklist will help:

  • appointment of a supervisor –supervisors should be given responsibility to ensure that precautions are taken, to check safety and may need to remain present while work is underway;
  • are persons suitable for work – do operatives have the right experience for the job? Are individuals of suitable build? The competent person may need to consider other factors eg claustrophobia or fitness to wear breathing apparatus, and medical advice on an individual's suitability may be needed;
  • isolation – mechanical and electrical isolation of equipment is essential if it could otherwise operate, or be operated inadvertently. If gas, fume or vapour could enter the confined space, physical isolation of pipework needs to be made;
  • cleaning before entry – this may be necessary to ensure fumes do not develop while the work is being done;
  • check the size of the entrance – is it big enough to allow workers wearing all the necessary equipment to enter easily, and provide ready access and egress in an emergency? For example, the size of the opening may mean choosing air line breathing apparatus in place of self-contained equipment which is more bulky and therefore likely to restrict passage;
  • ventilation – you may be able to increase the number of openings to improve ventilation but mechanical ventilation may be necessary to ensure an adequate supply of fresh air. This is essential where portable gas cylinders and diesel-fuelled equipment are used in the space because of the dangers from build-up of engine exhaust. Petrol-fuelled engines give off carbon monoxide in the exhaust and should never be used;
  • testing the air – this may be necessary to check that it is free from both toxic and flammable vapours and fit to breathe;
  • provision of special tools and lighting – non-sparking tools and specially-protected lighting are essential where flammable or potentially explosive atmospheres are likely. Inside metal tanks, suitable precautions to prevent electric shock must be taken, including use of extra low voltage equipment (less than 25 V) and residual current devices;
  • provision of breathing apparatus – this is essential if the air inside the space cannot be made fit to breathe because of gas, fume or vapour or lack of oxygen. Never try to 'sweeten' the air with oxygen as this can greatly increase the risk of a fire or explosion;
  • emergency arrangements – all the necessary equipment, training and practice drills need to covered. For example, lifelines attached to harnesses should run back to a point outside the confined space, and an adequate communications system is needed between people inside and outside the space to summon help in an emergency;
  • permits to work – a permit-to-work system ensures a formal check is undertaken to ensure a safe system is in place before people are allowed to enter or work in the confined space. Essential features include clear identification of who may authorise particular jobs and who is responsible for specifying the necessary precautions (isolation, air testing, emergency arrangements etc), training in the use of permits and monitoring and auditing the system.

    Emergency procedures

    When things go wrong, people may be exposed to serious danger. Effective arrangements for raising the alarm and carrying out rescue operations in an emergency are essential. Contingency plans will depend on the nature of the confined space, the risks identified and the likely nature of an emergency rescue.

    Emergency arrangements will depend on the risks. You should consider:

  • communications – how can an emergency be communicated to people outside so that rescue procedures can start. Don't forget night and shift work;
  • rescue equipment – provision of suitable rescue and resuscitation equipment will depend on the identified emergencies. The rescue team need to be properly trained people, capable of using any equipment provided for rescue;
  • shut down – it may be necessary to shut down adjacent plant before attempting an emergency rescue;
  • first aid and emergency services – trained first aiders need to be able to make use of any first-aid equipment provided and what information is given to emergency services on their arrival?

    Easy squeezy: Eight men from Crown House Engineering's Welsh region have completed training and exams for working safely in small spaces. They are now qualified to HS31, the City & Guilds confined spaces and escape set breathing apparatus test. A mobile unit simulates various confined areas and staff are trained on the best methods of working within the space, on safety checks, the use of breathing equipment, gas detection, etc. Operatives also undertake lectures and practical instruction on health and safety legislation and risk assessment before taking written and practical exams.

    What's new in hazardous areas

    Powerbreaker has launched three new products into the hazardous areas market. The Powerbreaker J62 is a heavy duty, in-line, portable rcd with an IP65 ratng. The H65Z is a weatherproof IP67 rated cable connector and the H92IP is a super tough rcd spur.

    Powertech

    Powertech has produced a new range of Type A steel consumer units. They are designed to receive devices such as switches, rcds, isolators, mcbs etc, and are available in 4, 6, 8, 12 and 16 useable ways. There are five variations of split load and four combinations of multi-service units. They all incorporate a fixed busbar, neutral and earth bars and a circuit identification label.

    Remora Electrical

    Remora Electrical can supply junction boxes that include EExe-rated products suitable for increased safety in general industrial applications and where hazardous surface area conditions exist. Called the CCG Posifit box, the products are designed for ease of installation and cabling.

    Adaptaflex

    Adaptaflex has released its PK series, a range of flexible conduits for hazardous areas. They are manufactured from a high performance polymer and can withstand temperatures from -60oC to +250 oC.

    Roxtec

    Roxtec’s multi-diameter cable and pipe transit systems are available in versions suitable for the offshore environment. The Rox system has the advantage over competitors in that it can be reopened at any time to add more cables or for maintenance without degradation of the sealing performance.

    Fortress Interlocks

    Fortress Interlocks has manufactured a new BASEEFA certified rotary key switch for use in hazardous areas. The switch enclosure is built from heavy-duty cast iron with a hot-dipped galvanised finish and is claimed to be sturdy enough to safely contain an explosion within the switch.

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    Electrical and Mechanical Contractor

    Postscript

    This article is based upon Safe work in confined spaces issued by the Health and Safety Executive. For more information on HSE publications use the enquiry service. The ECA offers training in Confined Space Awareness. For more information contact John Corcoran on 0171-313 4823.