[Name of Organization] 

Confined Space Policy and Procedures 

 

  1. Introduction 

 

A Confined Space is any area that isn’t intended for continuous worker occupancy and are usually not designed to be areas where people usually work. These spaces generally have poor ventilation, that permits hazardous atmosphere to develop quickly, especially when the area is really small.  

 

  1. Purpose 

 

The following outlines [YOUR COMPANY NAME]’s policy and procedures for 

Confined Space that have been designed to provide the appropriate health and safety requirements that are to be followed when entering, exiting, and working in confined spaces.   

 

  1. Application 

 

This Confined Space Policy and Procedures are applicable to all employees, supervisors and other members of [Name of Organization], who are providing services at [Name of Organization] work site. 

 

  1. Identifying Confined Spaces 

 

It is very important to identify the confined space properly in order to make a safe entry. It is the responsibility of [YOUR COMPANY NAME] to identify all confined spaces. 

 

A Confined Space is any space with the following characteristics given below: 

 

  1. A confined space should be large enough so that an employee can enter and perform the assigned work. 

  1. Entry and exit in a confined space is limited and or restricted. 

  1. Most confined spaces are not designed for continuous occupancy of employee. 

 

  1. Identifying Confined Space Hazard 

 

Hazard can be defined as any behaviour that causes death, injury or illness. [Name of Organization] have organised and regular methods of identifying, assessing and managing new and existing hazards. Hazards may include: 

 

  1. Unsafe oxygen level 

  1. Fire and explosion 

  1. Biological hazards 

  1. Mechanical Hazards 

  1. Electrical Hazards 

  1. Skin contact with hazardous substance 

  1. Noise 

  1. Radiation 

  1. Environmental hazards 

 

  1. Confined Space Entry Procedure 

 

There are certain rules that everyone need to follow to enter the confined space. 

 

  1. Identify whether the work area is a confined space or not. 

  1. Conduct a hazard assessment before entering the confined space. 

  1. Workers should be trained properly in confined space entry procedures and also review hazard assessment. 

  1. Prepare the confined space properly so that the workers don’t face any hazardous atmosphere like lack of oxygen and so on. 

  1. Prepare the “Safe Entry Tag” with proper description of work, safety procedures, duration of confined work, names of all workers, date and time of entry and so on. 

  1. Once all criteria of the “Safe Entry Tag” is completed, the workers can enter the confined workspace. 

  1. Once the work is done, the “Safe Entry Tag” issuer should inspect the confined space and check that no worker, equipment and tool is left inside the confined space. 

 

  1. Training for Confined Spaces 

 

All employees who are associated with working in a confined space should be well trained. [Name of Organization] will schedule training for employees in certain intervals. The supervisor, worker, safety watch personnel, rescue person will be trained in the following: 

 

  1. How to identify a confined space 

  1. Know the basics of confined space hazards/ risk management 

  1. Types of confined spaces 

  1. How to use “safe Entry Tag” permit system 

  1. Observing tools, equipments and atmospheric monitoring results 

  1. Use of personal protective equipments and necessary respiratory protective equipments 

  1. How to use ventilation equipments 

  1. Use of explosion proof lighting 

  1. Type of work that each employee should perform 

  1. Hoe to enter and exit in a confined space 

  1. Noise control and how to deal with noise pollution 

  1. Emergency evacuation method 

  1. Communication procedure 

  1. Necessary First Aid and CPR needed 

  1. Fire safety 

  1. Proper rescue procedures 

 

Untrained workers should not be allowed inside a confined space and need to be informed to the supervisor immediately. 

 

  1. Responsibilities 

 

Safe entry, exit and working in a confined space are shared responsibility of supervisor, employee, safety watch personnel and rescue personnel. 

 

Responsibilities of Supervisor 

 

  1. The supervisor in charge of a confined space is responsible to ensure that the arrangements are in place for the safe entry of any worker. 

  1. The supervisor should ensure that workers who are working in the confined space are trained and are well aware of any hazards they may be exposed to. 

  1. Ensure that proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and trained rescue personnel are there in the confined space. 

  1. Ensure that the confined space has a complete “Safe Entry Tag”. 

  1. The supervisor is responsible for assigning a safety watch person outside the confined space. 

  1. The supervisor should check the confined space entry jobs to ensure all Health & Safety procedures are being followed by everyone. 

  1. Responsible for shutting down unsafe confined space entry jobs. 

 

Responsibilities of Workers  

 

  1. Before entering the confined space, the worker should check whether all necessary precautions and procedures are in place or not, then they are allowed to sign the “Safe Entry Tag”. 

  1. To ensure safety and health according to the hazards of the confined space job, workers should wear proper Personal Protective Equipments that are assigned to them. 

  1. According to safe work practice and procedures, workers should first inspect the equipments and tools required to do the job inside the confined area and then use them. 

  1. If workers monitor any change in the condition inside the confined space that are not accounted for on the “Safe Entry Tag”, should immediately discontinue the work and leave the confined space until new hazards have been identified. 

 

Responsibilities of Safety Watch Personnel 

 

  1. Before allowing anyone inside the confined space, the safety watch personnel will check that all conditions mentioned on the “Safe Entry Tag” are met. 

  1. Responsible for establishing the communication system with workers who will enter the confined space. 

  1. The safety watch personnel will ensure that the names of the workers who enter the confined space are on the “Safe Entry Tag”. 

  1. Should know the exact location of the Confined Space Entry Rescue equipment. 

  1. Should know that if the emergency alarm rings, workers inside the confined space need to be rescued. 

  1. Safety Watch Personnel are not allowed to enter the Confined Space for any reason.  

 

Responsibilities of Rescue Personnel 

 

  1. Rescue Personnel should be physically capable enough and must be trained in First Aid/ CPR. 

  1. Workers who are well-trained and well-equipped for confined space rescue should attempt a rescue by entering a confined work place. 

  1. If workers in a confined space are properly wearing safety harness and lanyard, Rescue Personnel can continue the rescue work from outside, without entering the confined space. 

 

Date: