HIERARCHY OF
CONTROL FOR CONFINED SPACE HAZARDS
Confined
Space Hazards are dangerous to employees and it is important to control the
identified risks.
ELIMINATION
All the hazards in the
confined space to be eliminated or to be controlled so that the employees can
accomplish their tasks and exit the confined space safely. For example,
disconnecting completely, Lockout & Tagout, Tryout(LOTOTO) all electrical
energy sources of equipment in the confined space to eliminate the hazards;
remove leftovers of sludge and remove any potential surrounded materials or
gases through continual cleaning.
SUBSTITUTION
Replacing the hazard is
another way of control for confined space, Instead of entering a confined space
to execute an activity, the possibility of using alternative methods to be
considered to do the activity without entering in the confined space. For
example, using a vacuum machine and an extended hose to suck out the sludge
instead of having employees enter the confined space to manually remove it.
ENGINEERING CONTROL
These controls are
helps employees to isolate from the confined space hazards exposure.
Engineering controls are physical means that limit the hazards of exposure to
employees. These include using continuous forced ventilation with continuous
monitoring of the atmosphere to ensure the ventilation is adequate in the
confined space. These will help to maintain a safe atmospheric and comfortable
work environment to employees in the confined space.
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL
Establishing a written
procedure will help in control the confined space hazards.
1.Develop Entry
Procedures
Before any employee
enters a confined space, it is necessary to establish safe work procedures
covering all phases of the entry process. It is crucial that the entry permit
is duly completed and the confined space is safe for employees to enter. “Entry”
occurs when a person’s head passes through an opening into the confined space. Continuous
monitoring of atmosphere inside the confined space by the authorized gas tester,
Controlled entry of entrants in the confined space with the monitoring by
Supervisor etc.
2.The Entry Permit
It is necessary for the
entry permit documents to reflect acceptable entry conditions and indicate that
the confined space is safe for employees to enter in the confined space. It is
important to display the entry permit at the entrance of the confined space.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT(PPE)
This last line defense
to be used if the reasonably practicable control measures are not available to
mitigate the risks of working in a confined space, the use of Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) may be considered. For example, when entering a
sewer system that has deep standing water and sludge with pockets of methane
and hydrogen sulfide. These hazards cannot be eliminated by ventilation alone.
If entry is deemed essential, fresh air supply, respiratory protection and
other control measures are absolutely necessary. The good/working condition of
PPE to be ensured before using it.
