Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
15.3.1 Defi nitions
Hazards arising directly from Cleaning chemicals that may
the work to be undertaken
be used, sources of ignition,
The following defi nitions are detailed in the CS Regs:
in the confi ned space
e.g. hot work or sparks from
tools to be used
➤
Confi ned space - any space, including any chamber,
tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, fl ue, well or
other similar space in which, by virtue of its enclosed
nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable speci-
fi ed risk
The need to isolate the
Entry of substances from
confi ned space to prevent
outside by inadvertent
dangers from outside
operation of machinery,
automatic delivery lines or
external processes
generating fumes, etc.
➤
Specifi ed risk - any risk of:
The requirement for
Possible emergencies should
➤
Serious injury to any person at work arising from
a fi re or explosion
emergency rescue
be anticipated and the
arrangements
equipment/facilities needed
for a rescue identifi ed
➤
The loss of consciousness of any person at work
arising from an increase in body temperature
➤
The loss of consciousness of any person at work
arising from gas, fume, vapour or lack of oxygen
15.13.3
Safe system of work
➤
The drowning of any person at work arising from
an increase in the level of liquid
The precise precautions required in a safe system of
work will depend on the nature of the confi ned space
and the risk assessment fi ndings although the main ele-
ments to consider in this are detailed below:
➤
The asphyxiation of any person at work arising
from a free fl owing solid or the inability to reach
a respirable environment due to entrapment by
a free fl owing solid.
Elements to consider in a safe system of work
15.13.2 Preventing the need for entry -
regulation 4
Supervision
Ventilation
PPE and
Lighting
RPE
This regulation requires that entry to a confi ned space
to carry out work for any purpose is prevented unless
it is not reasonably practicable to achieve that purpose
without such entry.
Where the work cannot be carried out other than
by entry, so far as is reasonably practicable, it must be
carried out in accordance with a safe system of work
which renders the work safe and without risks to health.
The supporting Approved Code of Practice refers
to the need to carry out a risk assessment (see the
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
1999) for work in confi ned spaces, the fi ndings of which
would form the basis of a safe system for such work. In
designing a safe system, the ACoP further states that
priority be given to eliminating the sources of danger
before deciding what precautions are needed for entry.
In assessing the risks that may arise, the ACoP states
that the factors detailed below should be assessed.
Competence
Removal
Portable
Static
for the work
of residues
gas cylinders electricity
and internal
combustion
engines
Communications
Isolation
Gas supplied
Smoking
from
by pipes and
gases,
hoses
liquids
and other
free fl owing
materials
Testing/
Isolation
Access
Emergencies
monitoring
from
and
and
the atmosphere
mechanical egress
rescue
and
electrical
equipment
Gas purging
Selection
Fire
Limited
and use of
prevention
working
suitable
time
equipment
Factors to be assessed
15.13.4 Training
Factor
Example
The ACoP states that in complying with the require-
ments of the HSW Act to provide training, the following
areas would need to be covered:
➤
An awareness of the CS Regs, especially the need
to avoid entry
The general conditions of
Previous contents, residues,
the confi ned spaces
contamination, oxygen
defi ciency/enrichment,
physical dimensions
