Confined space entry attendant (safety officer) There are many variants of confined spaces on many places in Netherlands. Working in these areas is carried out on regularly bases. Think of inspections, new construction or repairs, maintenance, etc. To ensure the safety of persons working in the confined space it is mandatory to have a entry attendant, also known as safety officer, on the outside.

What is the safety control for confined space?

10 tips to reduce risk for workers in confined spaces Tips If you have workers who carry out any of their work tasks for you in confined spaces, there is an increased level of risk that this causes. By Joanna Weekes If you have workers who carry out any of their work tasks for you in confined spaces, there is an increased level of risk that this causes.

1. For example, a confined space may be low in oxygen, contain a toxic atmosphere or pose a potential engulfment or entrapment risk.
2. A confined space can be any enclosed structure that has limited access and may contain a potentially harmful atmosphere.
3. Examples of confined spaces include tanks, pits, chimneys, silos, underground sewers, tunnels and wells (a mineshaft or the workings of a mine are not included in the definition of a confined space).

Always eliminate the need for working in a confined space if possible. Other hazards such as noise, chemicals, inadequate ventilation, heat, cold, etc. can pose much higher risks within confined spaces. Try to design your workplace so that maintenance and monitoring equipment is not situated in a confined space (this will minimise the need for entering a confined space).

Identify each confined space your workers need to carry out their work in.Use signage to identify the confined space as a restricted access area only.Identify each reasonably foreseeable hazard associated with working in the space.Engage a suitably qualified person to undertake a risk assessment before any work is carried out in a confined space for the first time – only a person who is able to identify hazards (such as oxygen deficiencies or the presence of toxic gas) is qualified to undertake a risk assessment.Regularly review the risk assessment, including before each entry into the confined space.Identify and document accountabilities and responsibilities of workers who work in confined spaces, e.g. the capacity to assign, control, delegate and review the confined space safety procedures, the issue and receipt of entry permits, standby and emergency response and training and competency assessment.Issue entry permits to workers (including contractors) who enter confined spaces. A permit lists the confined space that the worker is permitted to enter, and sets out the measures to control risk for that space. Ensure that no person enters or works in a confined space unless authorised by an entry permit issued by you.Ensure your workers use the personal protective equipment appropriate to the specific confined space, e.g. respiratory protection devices, harness/lifelines, eye protection, etc.Ensure that appropriate emergency procedures are ready for immediate deployment whenever workers are within confined spaces.Make sure that you keep records of:

The location of confined spaces;Training conducted;Risk assessments and risk control measures;Inspection, calibration and maintenance of confined space safety and rescue equipment;Inspections and audits of confined spaces; andReports related to any incident associated with the confined space.

Any work performed in a confined space should be performed in accordance with the requirements of Safe Working in a Confined Space – Australian Standard AS2865-1995,The Code of Practice, Confined Spaces, provides practical guidance for managing the risks of confined spaces and has a helpful flow chart to assist in identifying confined spaces.And as usual, if you are ever in doubt of your ability to assess and manage the risks associated with confined spaces, engage a trained health and safety consultant.Remember, all workers required to work in confined spaces must undergo training from a health and safety consultant about:

Confined spaces;Risk assessment procedures;Risk management steps;Emergency procedures; andThe selection, use, fitting and maintenance of safety equipment.

: 10 tips to reduce risk for workers in confined spaces

What is the role of a standby person in a confined space?

Confined Space Standby Person This confined space course is designed for people who need the necessary nationally endorsed skill set of competencies to performed the confined space role of a “Standby Person” in accordance with Clauses 73 & 77 of the NSW OHS Regulations.

1. A ` Standby Person` duties include: observation, continuous communication, gas monitoring of the confined space and the people inside it and initiate the first aid / rescue plan.
2. This course is recognised by Billion & BlueScope.
3. Note: A two day version of this course is available for people NOT requiring the Self Containing Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and CPR.

Onsite training also available.

Relevant OHS legislation, standards – AS/NZ 2865:2009 and codes of practice. Risk management. Safety equipment and rescue. Working in accordance with confined space permits /documentation and procedures. Atmospheric evaluation. Isolation. Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Self Containing Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Fire.

Upon successful completion of the course participants will receive Statement of Training. Assessment: End of course written and practical assessments. : Confined Space Standby Person

What is confined space safety assessor?

Course Overview It includes the knowledge and skills for the use of appropriate gas testing equipment and methods, to obtain representative results for the assessment of atmospheric conditions in confined space for safe entry and work.

What are the key hazards of confined space?

Confined spaces may contain hazardous atmospheres, including insufficient oxygen, toxic (poisonous) air, or an explosive atmosphere. These spaces may also have physical hazards that may result, for example, in workers falling, being crushed or buried, or drowning.

What are the safety hazards in confined spaces?

Definition – According to O. Reg 851 (179/07), a confined space is defined as “a fully or partially enclosed space that is not both designed and constructed for continuous human occupancy and in which atmospheric hazards may occur because of its construction, location or contents or because of the work that is done in it.” Examples of confined spaces include boilers, storage tanks, pits and sewers.

Hazards associated with confined spaces include oxygen deficiency, toxic vapours and combustible gases, solvents or dusts. In addition to atmospheric hazards, confined spaces often contain physical or mechanical hazards such as rotating machinery, electrical equipment or material which can engulf an entrant.

The risks associated with all confined space hazards are further amplified by the typically tight quarters inside the space which make entry, exit and rescue difficult. If an employer’s workplace includes a confined space that workers may enter to perform work, the employer must ensure that a written program for the confined space is developed and maintained in accordance with O.

What are 5 confined spaces?

What are confined spaces? – Ventilation hoses provide air and exhaust toxic vapors during confined space entry. A guardrail would also be necessary to protect workers from potential falls. Many workplaces contain areas that are considered “confined spaces” because while they are not necessarily designed for people, they are large enough for workers to enter and perform certain jobs.

Who is responsible for knowing who is in the confined space?

Entry supervisor In addition, they have to know the physical symptoms and behaviors that indicate a worker has been exposed to a hazard. The entry supervisor has to endorse the permit for the confined space before anyone can enter it.

What are the roles you need for a confined space entry?

Each person assigned a role during confined space entry must be provided with sufficient training to understand what is required of them and how to use any equipment before any confined space work begins. Confined spaces are more commonly found on the job than most workers realize. The term confined space means any space that is large enough for a worker to enter and perform tasks but isn’t designed for workers to be inside continuously and has limited or very restricted means for entry or exit.

OSHA requires that if hazards are present in a confined space then workers can only enter to work inside the space under a written permit-required confined space program, To safely enter and work inside a confined space, it is important that every worker inside and outside of the space know, understand, and follow their specific roles, duties, and responsibilities.

OSHA Construction Standard 1926.1204(h) and General Industry Standard 1910.146(d)(8) Each entry employer must designate each person who is to have an active role (as, for example, authorized entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, or persons who test or monitor the atmosphere in a permit space) in entry operations, identify the duties of each such employee, and provide each such employee with the training required. Authorized entrant refers to an employee who is authorized by their employer to enter a confined space. Entrants need to have a good understanding of the following:

Hazards that they may encounter when working in the confined spaceHow to use all equipment, tools, and devices such as air monitoring equipment and breathing apparatusThe method of communication with the attendant outside of the confined spaceExit and rescue process in the event of any unexpected hazards that arise

Any authorized entrant must immediately exit the confined space if given an evacuation order by the attendant or entry supervisor. Every authorized entrant has the authority to stop work and request evacuation if an unsafe condition is detected. OSHA Construction Standard 1926.1208(a) and General Industry Standard 1910.146(h)(1) The entry employer must ensure that all authorized entrants are familiar with and understand the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure. Attendant refers to an individual stationed outside one or more confined spaces who monitors the authorized entrants and performs specific duties assigned in the written permit-required confined space program. The attendant must know the following:

What hazards that may be faced during entry, including any signs or symptoms of exposureWho are the authorized entrants and how many entrants are within the confined space at any timeHow to maintain communication with the entrants during the entry and how to initiate an emergency evacuation of the entrantsRescue procedures and requirements including the procedure and means to summon immediate emergency assistanceHow to use any equipment necessary to maintain continuous airflow and to monitor the atmosphere within the confined space for sufficient oxygen and potential toxic or flammable conditions.

Every attendant has the authority and responsibility to stop work and request evacuation if an unsafe condition is detected. The attendant must perform no duties that might interfere with their primary duty to monitor and protect the authorized entrants. Entry supervisor refers to the person responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are present at a confined space, for authorizing entry and overseeing entry operations, and for terminating entry as required. The entry supervisor is responsible for the following:

Knows the hazards that may be faced during entry, including the signs or symptoms, and consequencesConfirms that all personnel have the appropriate training, education, and skills for their designated rolesVerifies, by checking that the appropriate entries have been made on the permit, that all tests specified by the permit have been conducted and that all procedures and equipment specified by the permit are in place before signing the permit and allowing entry to beginEnsures that the appropriate rescue procedures, equipment, or services are identified and ready prior to authorizing the entry to beginRemoves unauthorized individuals who enter or who attempt to enter the permit space during entry operationsTerminates the entry and cancels the permit if necessary

OSHA Construction Standard 1926.1210(f) and General Industry Standard 1910.146(j)(6) The entry employer must ensure that each entry supervisor determines, whenever responsibility for a permit space entry operation is transferred and at intervals dictated by the hazards and operations performed within the space, that entry operations remain consistent with terms of the entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained. Rescue service refers to the personnel designated to rescue employees from confined spaces. It is important to have a procedure for obtaining emergency rescue before beginning an entry into a confined space. A system and equipment to retrieve and rescue entrants without having to go into the confined space is ideal however sometimes it may not be possible due to the configuration of the space.

Is the rescue team able to reach the victim(s) within a time frame that is appropriate for the confined space hazard(s) identified?Does the rescue team have the skills and proficiency, with rescue-related tasks and equipment, to function appropriately while rescuing entrants from the specific confined space or types of confined spaces identified?

OSHA Construction Standard 1926.1204(i) and General Industry Standard 1910.146(d)(9) The entry employer must develop and implement procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services, for rescuing entrants from permit spaces, for providing necessary emergency services to rescued employees, and for preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue. Weeklysafety.com is giving away 10 free safety topics, no credit card required! Take advantage and grab your free set of safety meeting topics today by clicking the button below. A membership to Weeklysafety.com comes at a very low price that never goes up no matter how many employees you have and no matter how many awesome safety topics you use. OSHA Safety Manual Template with 13 Sections. A great start for your safety program. See more → See more → Prepare your employees to recognize safety hazards and prevent incidents from occurring. See more → See more →

How working in a confined space will be supervised?

Conclusion – Confined space entry operations are complex and require appropriately trained personnel both working in the confined space and supervising the entry to the space. Confined space entry supervisors must ensure the safety of any employees through their knowledge of hazards, permits, and rescue methods.

How do you evaluate the level of risk in a confined space?

What is Confined Space Risk Assessment? Every workplace has confined spaces, and it is the responsibility of employers to ensure that these spaces are safe for workers. A confined space risk assessment must be conducted to identify any potential hazards and put measures to mitigate these risks.

But how exactly do you perform confined space risk assessment? This article will discuss confined space risk assessment and how you can execute it safely in your workplace. A confined space risk assessment is a systematic process of identifying and evaluating the risks associated with work in confined spaces.

It is important to conduct a confined space risk assessment before any work is carried out to ensure proper safety procedures are followed, the necessary permits are acquired, and proper evacuation plans are in place when working in narrow or confined spaces.

What is the difference between confined space and permit confined space?

Main Difference Between Permit Required and Non-Permit Required – Permit-Required Confined Space: This is a space where the hazards to employees are controlled but still present. These spaces are usually IDLH (immediately dangerous to life and health).

• Contains or potentially contains a hazardous atmosphere
• Contains a material that has the possibility of engulfing someone
• Has a configuration where someone could get trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section.
• Contains any other recognized serious safety and health hazard

What control s must be in place when working in a confined space?

3 Implement controls – Once the confined spaces have been identified, a control strategy to control the risk is to be developed and implemented. The principal and/or their delegate in consultation with the Health and Safety Representative (HSR) and employees must ensure that risk controls to manage working in a confined space are identified and implemented using the order of the hierarchy of controls.

Elimination — no persons are to enter a confined space, but instead, are to undertake work outside the space, e.g. use of a high-pressure hose through an access hatch to clean the inside of a tank, or use a remote camera to inspect the area. Substitution — use of electrical equipment/plant instead of fuel to avoid the build-up of carbon monoxide fumes (where a flammable atmosphere has not been identified) Engineering — install local extraction ventilation system. Administration — develop and prominently display a signed Confined Space Entry Permit External Link near the work area. Display signage at all entry points to the confined space. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — use of eye protection or respiratory protective equipment e.g. self-contained breathing apparatus, when required.

Chapter 3 of the Confined Spaces Procedure on implementing a control strategy for confined spaces in schools Reviewed 25 June 2020

Which of the following are recommended ways to control hazards at a confined space?

Engineering Controls –

• Ventilation Systems: Implement mechanical ventilation systems to ensure adequate airflow and control the levels of hazardous gases, vapors, or dust in the confined space.
• Isolation Barriers: Use physical barriers to isolate the confined space from other work areas, preventing unauthorized entry and controlling access.
• Lockout/Tagout: Utilize lockout/tagout procedures to isolate energy sources and prevent the accidental activation of equipment or machinery inside the confined space.

Jack Gloop