Confined Space Learning Summary
Confined Space Entrant · Reference
The whole of a confined space entry in four steps, in the order they happen. Each one names who owes the duty and the section of the OHS Regulation that creates it.
This is the summary page the course ends on. It is here to look at, not to fill in.
Read this first. A summary of what the course teaches. It is not an entry permit, not a hazard assessment and not a substitute for either. The assessment a qualified person did for your space, your employer's written procedure and the permit are the documents that decide whether anyone goes in.
Enclosed or partially enclosed
and
Not designed or intended for continuous human occupancy
and
Limited or restricted means for entry or exit
That may complicate first aid, evacuation, rescue or other emergency response.
and
Large enough and so configured that a worker could enter to perform assigned work
All four. A space that meets three of them is not a confined space, and that is where the mistake usually gets made. An underground working is excluded whatever the four say.
CIH, CRSP, CSP, ROH or P. Eng.
With experience in the recognition, evaluation and control of confined space hazards.
or
Another combination of education, training and experience acceptable to WorkSafeBC
Atmospheric
- Oxygen deficiency Less than 19.5% oxygen by volume. Clean respirable air is about 20.9%.
- Flammable No measurable flammable gas or vapour. Monitors commonly alarm at 10% of the LEL, and entry is prohibited past 20% except in an emergency.
- Toxic No contaminant above 10% of its exposure limit. The limit is different for every substance and comes off the supplier's safety data sheet.
Physical
- Hazardous energy Chemical, electrical, gravitational, hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic, radiation, thermal. Some are hidden, like pressure in a system or a wound spring.
- Engulfment Pulled under the surface of a liquid or flowable solid. Death by strangulation, constriction or crushing.
- Others Any non-atmospheric hazard. These can usually be detected through your senses, which is what makes them easy to walk past.
Training
+
Hazard assessment
+
Procedure
+
Permit
All four, not whichever is to hand. A permit is required for a high hazard atmosphere, for work that needs lockout or isolation, and where there is a hazard of entrapment or engulfment.
Isolate
Inert
Ventilate
Verify
PPE
Substitution, engineering and PPE controls. Which of these are used depends on the procedure.
Standby
Monitors the atmosphere and the workers, and activates the emergency response. Where they stand and how often they check both change with the hazard level.
Rescue
Non-entry rescue first wherever it is possible: it is faster and it does not put a second person in the space.
Confined Space Learning Summary, 10 CSE - Student Manual - V2.2, Haland Learning Inc. Regulation references are to the BC Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Part 9.
Atmospheric hazard calculators →