In the event that entry into a confined space cannot be avoided, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be carried out and a written safe system of work developed including the provision of emergency procedures.
Assessing the risks from entry
When assessing the risks, use must be made of all the information available about the confined space. All foreseeable hazards and risks must be considered in advance and the following issues may need consideration: -
Confined Spaces can include:
some places which may only become confined spaces occasionally, such as rooms during fumigation;areas which may have open tops such as water tanks The Assessment should include consideration of:
- The task;
- The environment;
- Communications;
- Mechanical and electrical isolation of equipment;
- Ventilation and purging;
- Materials, tools and lighting to be used;
- Competency of staff involved;v
- Arrangements for rescue.
Associated Hazards may include:
- Previous contents, residues and contamination;
- Flammable substances or oxygen enrichment;
- Toxic gases, fumes or vapour;
- Oxygen deficiency;
- Physical dimensions;
- Ingress or presence of liquids;
- Solid materials which can flow;
- Presence of excessive heat;
- Electricity or static electricity;
- Cleaning chemicals;
li>Work out of hours.
Any written risk assessment required by this code must be recorded in the Evotix Assure safety management system. Staff involved must be made aware of the results of any such assessment. Communication of the risk assessment must be carried out face to face with all persons involved in the Confined Space entry.
In gathering information for an assessment, managers may need expert advice. Information on confined spaces is available from the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/confinedspace/ or from the SHE Group.
Safe working in a confined space or in areas where there is likely to be danger from a gas or vapour, or where there is likely to be a deficiency of oxygen, depends entirely on a strict adherence to a well-devised system of precautions.
It is essential that these precautions be followed without exception on every occasion.
One sure way to do this and communicate the information is to have a written statement of ‘Safe System of Work’ SSoW.
A SSoW can be defined as the integration of personnel, articles and substances in a suitable environment to produce
References and further reading
