The UK Health & Safety Executive
(HSE) has recently revised its Confined Space Regulations ‘Approved Code of
Practice’ document, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to review the
guidance in relation to gas detection.
The
UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has recently revised its
Confined Space Regulations ‘Approved Code of Practice’ document, so I
thought this would be a good opportunity to review the guidance in
relation to gas detection. - See more at:
http://www.crowcon.com/blog/tag/confined-space-regulations/#sthash.0yQfd1Za.dpuf
The
Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) provides practical advice on how you can
comply with the requirements of the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997.
What
does confined space mean?
A
confined space is a place which is substantially enclosed, and where serious
injury can occur from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or
nearby (e.g. lack of oxygen). However, a confined space is not always
substantially enclosed and can include places, such as chambers, tanks, vats,
silos, pits, trenches, pipes, sewers, flues, wells or any other similar space
where a reasonably foreseeable specified risk arises.
Many
confined spaces are easy to identify, such as sewers and closed tanks, but
understanding whether other places could be classed as a confined space can be
a little trickier. A place not usually considered to present confined space
hazards may become one. For example, work , such as welding, a spray booth or
using chemicals for cleaning purposes, can introduce risks to an enclosed space
normally considered free of contaminants and to have a safe level of oxygen.
Some
spaces may meet the criteria of a confined space when they are used to store
certain specific items, such as gas cylinders, material used as part of a fire
suppression system or a storage facility for wooden pellets used as fuel in
heating systems. Other confined spaces may be created deliberately, for example
reduced oxygen environments, where the oxygen level is depleted either by
reducing the oxygen concentration or increasing the concentration of another
gas, such as nitrogen.
Determine
the general condition of the confined space, to identify what might be present
or not, and what could cause a problem.
- Information about any substances
previously held will give an indication of what kind of hazard may be
expected.
- Dangers that may arise from
chemical residues or scale, rust, sludge or other residues must be
considered.
- Contamination that may arise from
adjacent plant, processes, gas mains or surrounding land, soil or strata.
Gases and liquids may leak, or may have leaked into the confined space.
- In certain situations, water
and/or gases may enter the confined space from the surrounding land, soil
or strata.
- Methane can occur from a number of
sources, including the decay of organic matter, and can be released from
groundwater.
- There are substantial risks if the
concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere varies significantly.
- Particular care should be taken in
environments created with a specifically reduced oxygen concentration in
the atmosphere.
Ensuring
personal protective equipment (PPE) is used upon entering a confined space.
HSE’s
document explains the importance of personnel wearing PPE when entering a
confined space, whether its an employer providing for their employee, or
self-employed. PPE must also be fully maintained on a regular basis.
To
properly assess confined space hazards in your workplace, or to simply learn
about the updates to the document, you can download it, for free, from the
Health & Safety Executive website – http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l101.htm
Their clients problem was simple, while carrying out renovation works, a large amount of dust had been created. A high level builders clean of steel work and glazing was required to bring the building back to its best, access had proven difficult so Dynamic Access were contracted in to provide assistance due to there known expertise in difficult access and high level cleaning.
