Consideration will all so given to the following content of the confined space:

Partitions ,which may be in the space creating areas with different atmospheres.

Potential for dripping of liquids from over head trays or compartments.

Potential for retention of vapour pockets due to partitions.

Internal coasting ,which may give off toxic vapours if heated or damaged.

Potential toxic vapours  from cleaners or welding.

Sludge & scale which may give off vapours when disturbed.

Mechanical and structural hazards.

Suitable means of ingress and egress.

prequation

                                    Sufficient access to the confined space access / egress point will be maintained for rescue vehicles and personnel.Self contained breathing apparatus will be available at entry to confined space .RESCUE BREATHING APPARATUS WILL HAVE A RESUSCITATOR ATTACHMENT .SO THAT AIR CAN BE ADMINISTERED AS SOON AS THE VICTIM IS REACHED AND IN CASES WHERE THERE WILL BE DIFFICULTIES OR DELAYS IN MOVING VICTIMS.Erection of signs at the entry of all open man holes,tunnels ,vessels ,stating danger ,confined space:Do not enter or similar appropriate wording.Erection signs at manhole ,covers ,severs,tanks and vessels stating men working,confined space ,Do not close.

There will be radio communication beet ween the safety watch & site safety supervisor.As supplement to radio communications an air horn or portable siren will be used by the workers inside the confined space to alert the safety watch in case of an emergency .Where possible a life line  will run from the access / egress point to the location of the workers to felicitate rescue operations.Where practical ,each worker will wear harness attached to the life line facilitate efficient rescue operations.Trained personal out side the confined space will aid an rescue operations.

Confined space

                                    Purging the air out of the space with inert gas such as nitrogen or CO2.Ventilation's to keep the fuel vapours below the LEL.Eliminating sources of ignition such as friction,Sparks,open flames & sparks from exhaust or electrical equipment.Bonding & grounding vessels to reduce static electricity.Shutting of torch valves at a point out side the confined space will be left unattended for any length of time,such as a lunch brake.Torches & hoses will be removed from the confined space when left over night.Take no smoking policy around the confined space.Storing all combustible & flammable material out side the confined space  until ready for use.Leaving gas cylinder & welding machine outside.

Responsibility of safety watch

                                                              Maintaining a log of all personnel inside the confined space.Workers will sign in and out each time they enter or leave the confined space.Has  ion his possession,a functioning air horn with which to enunciate any emergency or evacuation procedures.Remaining at the assigned post at all times that personnel are inside the confined space.Ensuring that all personnel whop enter the  confined space have the appropriate PPE.Being familiar with the emergency reporting procedures & assisting with rescue operations.The safety watch will ensure that the precribed  rescue equipment is on hand.

Lighting & safety watch (confined space)

                                  Explosion proof lighting will be used where there is a potential for flammable products to be present.All 110 volts lighting will be protected by Ground fault interrupters  and bird caged.In case of presence of flammable gas,it is advisable to use 24 volts.All personnel in confined space & the safety watch will carry portable lighting in case of power failing.All confined space entries shall have a safety watch posted immediately outside the confined space,who will be able to communicate with workers inside.He should be readily visible and identifiable by reflective vests.

Some important procedure to prior the entry

                                                In addition to standard Ppe an assessment  will be carried out to determine4 additional PPe requirements.Such as fall protection , Respiratory protection etc.Workers will be trained in the proper use of all ppes  & will be familiar with their limitations.Natural ventilation in confined space is minimal.There fore ventilation by mechanical means shall all ways be made available.

                                                Ventilation equipment will be positioned so that contaminated air such as  exhaust gasses and welding fumes are not drawn in to the confined space .Equipment used in or near a flammable atmosphere will be explosion proof.Steam or inert gas purging is recommended for removing flammable vapours.Where purging & ventilation are not adequate to provide sufficient atmosphere.Workers will use a suitable breathing apparatus prior to entry in to a confined space the atmosphere will be tested,and then again predetermined intervals.

Confined space (permit& planning)

                                    Prior to all confined space entries ,a confined space entry permits /safe work permit should be obtained.The pre requisite for such permit will be a written proceedure detailing the workers works .



Which will include:

Assessment of the hazards(JSA)
zero energy state requirements.
Identification of parties responsible to open & close the confined space.
Daily permits requirements.
Ventilation requirements.
Lighting requirements.
Tools & equipments.
Fire protection.
Rescue equipment & plan.

Confined space hazards

The confined space exists potential hazards.They are : 

                                                        Oxygen deficiency due to  rust formation ,chemical reaction,combustion or absorption.Any reduction in oxygen in the atmosphere below 19.5 % can impair performance by causing fatigue and loss of reasoning ability.


                                                         Oxygen enrichment through accidental ventilation with oxygen or leaks in Oxy Acetylene equipment will increase flammability of materials.Oxygen level in the confined space should not be more than 23.5% . 
                                                     
                                                         Fire & explosion may be occur .Toxic substances present.

Falling of objects as a result of materiel or equipment brought into a limited volume of space that requires more than one working level.

Mechanical equipment that forms of these normal process will be isolated so that it does not energize automatically or accidentally.

Electrical shock could result  from preferment installations  or from defective temporary equipment,tools cords & lighting's.

Confined space

                                                       Confined space is identified as any area  which limited means of access / egress and  the area is subjected to :

Oxygen deficiency.
Accumulation of flammable vapors.
Any airborne contaminates that exceeds established permissible exposure limited(PEL)vapor air mixture will ignite & burn only with in a specified range of composition which will be above LEI & above UEL.


                                                     The lower flammability limit or lower explosive limit is the minimum volume percent of the fuel that will support combustion below the LEL.The mixture with air is too lean.


                                                  Upper flammability limit is the  maximum volume of  percent fuel that will support combustion & the upper explosion limit is the maximum volume percentage of fuel that will support an explosion.Above the UEL and / UFL,the mixture with air is too rich.Examples : Tanks.vessels,pipe ,duct,inlet basins,utility vault,collection basins,sludge pits,trench,boiler and tube areas ,Silo.

The impotrtance of designer,supervisor, contractor(safety)

                                            The designer should give priority to generic solutions. That is those that protect all people at work rather than solutions that only protects those individuals has overall responsibility for coordinating the health safety aspects of the design and planing phase.This include ensuring as far as is reasonable practicable ,those designers duties are met and that the initial health & safety plan is prepared.In addition the planning supervisor is also responsible for ensuring the health safety file is prepared and for notifying projects to HSE.



                                            The principle contractor s the in charge  of the site . The principle contractor is responsible for developing & completing the initial health & safety plan for the construction phase and once work is commenced should help the planning supervisor collate information for the health & safety file.All contractors that they provide adequate information & training for to their employees regarding health safety environment policies.

Management controls in civil works (safety)

                                                        Due to the nature of both the risks involved & the practise of using multiuple contractors and sub contractors in construction works,the basis of safety lies very much with management control.They place duties on construction companies and individuals who evolved in construction work from the planning & desighn stages through copletion & handover.



The regulation that applay to any construction work excluding: 



Work other than demolition,that does not last longr than 30 days or does not involve more than four people.
Work for domestic client.
Work carried out inside offices & shops or similsr pewrmises with out interupting the normal activities in the permises &with out seperating the construction activities from the other activities.



                                                            The client is the pertson or organisation commissioning the construction work.In the case of an individual or non specilist organisation ,a client agent may be appointed to assume the duties and responcibilities.On completion of the project ,the health & safety file ,which is made & kept during the work must be given to the client ,who must then retain it permenently. The designer must ensure ,sdo far as is resonably practicable ,that all structure are designed to avoid or where this is not possible to mininmise risks to health & safety while they are being builtr,maintained & eventually demolished.