Confined spaces may include | Any compartment or area with limited opening for access and no escape route, and with limited natural ventilation or an atmosphere containing more than 23.5% or less than 19.5% oxygen, and the capability of accumulating a toxic, flammable or explosive atmosphere, or of being flooded Examples of confined spaces may include: fuel tanks (diesoline, gasoline, kerosene, AVCAT) or any other liquid or gaseous fuel water tanks (feed, fresh, ballast), void spaces, cofferdams, double bottoms/wing compartments, sewage treatment tanks (combined holding tank system) oil tanks (sludge oil, lubricating, hydraulic), cable lockers (anchor cable stowage) open-topped spaces such as pits or degreasers, pipes, sewers, shafts, ducts and similar structures boiler drums, steam turbine casing, main condensers, gas turbine rotor casing, piston engine enclosed crankcase, main circulating water inlet and discharge pipes, pressure vessels |
Limitations on entry permits may include | Emergency situation requirements Equipment and/or clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements Medical constraints on personnel entering Minimum/maximum numbers in teams entering confined space Monitoring/testing requirements Reporting/documentation requirement Time limitations for working within the confined space or before returning to the confined space |
Organisational policy and procedures may include | Any established contingency plan or any plan formed specifically to counter ill effects of any likely occurrence Australian or international standards Documentation Equipment manufacturers' specifications Exposure standards Job Safety Analysis (JSA) Legislation, including state/territory/commonwealth OH&S acts, regulations, codes of practice and guidance material relating to hazards in the workplace and industry, and associated with entry to confined space including legislation specific to confined space work Lockout and isolation procedures Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Organisational policies and procedures Risk assessments Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) task analysis |
Occupational health and safety requirements may include | General duty of care under OH&S legislation and common law Provisions relating to health and safety representatives and/or OH&S committees Provisions relating to OH&S issue resolution Requirements for records of occupational injury and disease Requirements for provision of OH&S information and training State/territory/commonwealth OH&S acts, regulations, codes of practice and guidance material relating to hazards present in the workplace and the industry |
Monitoring entry and egress of the confined space may include | Contacting participants in the confined space and/or the supervisor outside if test level exceeds pre-defined limits or equipment malfunctions Maintaining testing regime for confined space, be it continuous or periodic, in accordance with entry plan and work permit |