HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACES

City of Langley As per OG # , Confined Space Rescue, Policy: As per OG # , Confined Space Rescue, Policy: “Only personnel trained in confined space operations will enter confined spaces.” “Only personnel trained in confined space operations will enter confined spaces.” This session does not constitute confines space operations training, it is simply an awareness session. This session does not constitute confines space operations training, it is simply an awareness session.

AGENDA What is Confined Space What is Confined Space Danger’s of Unplanned Rescue Attempts Danger’s of Unplanned Rescue Attempts Hazards Hazards Oxygen Levels Oxygen Levels Toxins / Explosions Toxins / Explosions Physical Hazards Physical Hazards

WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE? A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed area that is: A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed 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, but workers may need to enter the confined space for tasks such as: inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and repair. Is not designed for someone to work in regularly, but workers may need to enter the confined space for tasks such as: inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and repair. Entry and exit is difficult and can complicate rescue procedures. Entry and exit is difficult and can complicate rescue procedures.

WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE? Examples of confined spaces: Examples of confined spaces: Tanks Tanks Manure pits (e.g.. Mushroom barn) Manure pits (e.g.. Mushroom barn) Storage bins Storage bins Boilers Boilers Double hulls Double hulls Vats Vats Pumping stations Pumping stations Kilns Kilns Pits, sumps Pits, sumps Vaults Vaults Vessels Vessels Silos Silos Manholes Manholes Pipelines Pipelines Water reservoirs Water reservoirs Sewers, Other similar spaces Sewers, Other similar spaces

WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE? Entry into confined spaces can be very hazardous and potentially deadly. Entry into confined spaces can be very hazardous and potentially deadly. Unless proper training, equipment, and procedures are in place, workers are not allowed to enter such spaces. Unless proper training, equipment, and procedures are in place, workers are not allowed to enter such spaces. A worker is considered to have entered a confined space just by putting his or her head across the plane of the opening. A worker is considered to have entered a confined space just by putting his or her head across the plane of the opening. Absolutely no employee may enter a confined space for any reason unless properly trained Absolutely no employee may enter a confined space for any reason unless properly trained awareness training such as this session does not qualify as the training needed to enter a confined space. awareness training such as this session does not qualify as the training needed to enter a confined space.

WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE 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 (workers, police, ambulance, fire, etc.) who attempts to save someone in a confined space. Anyone (workers, police, ambulance, fire, etc.) who attempts to save someone in a confined space. 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 DO NOT rush in. Analyze the environment to establish if the area may be a confined space or an exposure (ex. Carbon monoxide in a garage). 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 DO NOT rush in. Analyze the environment to establish if the area may be a 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 AND training so that there is no need for rescue operations. It is critical to use good confined space entry practices AND training so that there is no need for rescue operations.

WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE 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 apparent & the space may have been entered on prior occasions without incident. However, a worker cannot assume that conditions have not changed and that the space is safe for entry each time. A confined space often appears to be harmless; no danger signs are apparent & the space may have been entered on prior occasions without incident. However, a worker cannot assume that conditions 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 emotions Are overcome by their emotions Take unnecessary chances Take unnecessary chances Do not know the hazards involved Do not know the hazards involved Do not have a plan of action Do not have a plan of action Lack confines space rescue training Lack confines space rescue training

WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF CONFINED SPACE RESCUE? IS IT IMPORTANT TO INFORM CONFINED SPACE WORKERS AND RESCUERS OF THE FOUR-MINUTE LIMINATION? IS IT IMPORTANT TO INFORM CONFINED SPACE WORKERS AND RESCUERS OF THE FOUR-MINUTE LIMINATION? 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 four minutes without oxygen, it is very likely that a worker will experience asphyxiation, which may result in brain damage or death. 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 four minutes without oxygen, it is very likely that a worker will experience asphyxiation, which may result in brain damage or death. WHAT DOES ONE NEED TO ASSUME IN ANY CONFINED SPACE RESCUE OPERATION? WHAT DOES ONE NEED TO ASSUME IN ANY CONFINED SPACE RESCUE 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 training, PPE, equipment, and safe work procedures to do so. Under no circumstance should you rush in to rescue unless you have the training, PPE, equipment, and safe work procedures to do so.

WHAT ARE THE HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACES? The atmosphere in a confined space may be hazardous for several reasons: The atmosphere in a confined space may 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 physical hazards. Confined spaces could also have some of the physical hazards.

TOO LITTLE / TOO MUCH OXYGEN 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 hazardous condition. A very low level of oxygen can damage the brain and cause the heart to stop after a few minutes. 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 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 space: Here are some common causes of oxygen deficiency (not enough oxygen) in a confined 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, during cutting or welding, and by internal combustion engines. Oxygen is used up during combustion — for example, by propane space heaters, during cutting or welding, and by internal combustion engines. Oxygen can be replaced by other gases — for example, welding gases or gases forced into the space to prevention corrosion. Oxygen can be replaced by other gases — for example, welding gases or gases forced into the space to prevention corrosion. Micro-organisms use up oxygen — for example, in sewer lines and fermentation vessels. Micro-organisms use up oxygen — for example, in sewer lines and fermentation 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 quickly and easily where there is a high level of oxygen. 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.

THE AIR MAY BE TOXIC OR EXPLOSIVE Contaminants in the air can result in an atmosphere that is toxic to workers and may result in injury or death. Contaminants in the air can result in an atmosphere that is 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) ~ Displaces Oxygen Argon (Ar) ~ Displaces Oxygen Carbon dioxide (CO2) ~ Displaces oxygen, toxic Carbon dioxide (CO2) ~ Displaces oxygen, toxic Carbon monoxide (CO) ~ Toxic Carbon monoxide (CO) ~ Toxic Chlorine (Cl2) ~ Toxic Chlorine (Cl2) ~ Toxic Gasoline Vapors ~ Fire and explosion Gasoline Vapors ~ Fire and explosion Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) ~ Flammable, toxic Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) ~ Flammable, toxic Methane (CH4) ~ Fire and explosion Methane (CH4) ~ Fire and explosion Nitrogen (N2) ~ Displaces oxygen Nitrogen (N2) ~ Displaces oxygen Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) ~ Toxic Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) ~ Toxic Sulfur dioxide (SO2) ~ Toxic Sulfur dioxide (SO2) ~ Toxic Oxygen (O2) ~ Low and High levels cause asphyxiate / explosion Oxygen (O2) ~ Low and High levels cause asphyxiate / explosion

PHYSICAL HAZARDS OF CONFINED SPACE Loose and unstable materials Loose 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 hazards Slips, 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 objects Falling 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 SPACE Moving parts of equipment and machinery Moving 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 shock Electrical 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 piping Substances 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 SPACE Poor visibility Poor 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 extremes Temperature 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. Noise Noise Noise produced in confined spaces can be particularly harmful because of reflection off walls. Risk of drowning Risk 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 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 Awareness Confined Space Awareness

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