OCM1 - Confined spaces

Health and Safety Executive

OCM Confined spaces

Offshore COSHH Control approach 4 essentials Special advice

This information will help offshore What this sheet covers dutyholders (owners, operators and This sheet describes issues to cover in method statements for safe contractors) to protect workers’ health. work in confined spaces.

It is aimed at staff whose responsibilities Action include the management of risk of confined 3 Involve the offshore medic and space entry. It is also useful for safety emergency response team, advisors, occupational health specialists, first aiders and employees in trade union and employee safety emergency planning. representatives. 3 If you are in doubt, get help from an expert. Ask your trade Following the guidance is not compulsory association, trade union or log and you are free to take other action. But onto www.oshcr.org/ for a list of if you do follow this guidance you will consultants. normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek Hazards to secure compliance with the law and may 3 A confined space can be any refer to this guidance as illustrating good space of an enclosed nature, where there is a risk of death or serious practice. injury. This could be from hazardous substances, or from lack of oxygen. If you need a service provider (eg 3 Less obvious confined spaces include open-topped chambers, consultant), OCM sheets describe what they ductwork and poorly-ventilated rooms. should deliver. 3 Some places can become confined spaces because of the work carried out in them, or by poisonous gases such as hydrogen sulphide You may need help from a health and seeping in. safety expert, whose report should cover 3 Natural processes such as rusting or fermentation can cause oxygen the points in this sheet. depletion or gases that displace oxygen from the enclosed space.

Offshore installations are not specifically Areas covered by the Confined Spaces 3 Restrict access to authorised personnel only. Regulations 1997. However the guidance in 3 If possible avoid entry to undertake the task the Approved Code of Practice L101 can be 3 If entry is unavoidable ensure there is a safe system of work. used as a source of good practice. 3 Ensure that there are emergency arrangements in place before work starts.

Procedures Safe system of work 3 Ensure that people developing the safe system of work have the correct competency. 3 Identify the precautions that will reduce the risk. A permit-to-work is needed.

Confined spaces OCM1 Special advice

3 Ensure that the workers selected are competent and physically able to Further information do the task. Safe work in confined spaces 3 Isolate mechanical and electrical equipment that could cause harm if Leaflet INDG258 HSE Books turned on. 1997 (priced packs of 20 3 Ensure access routes and hatches are large enough and rescue ISBN 978 0 7176 1442 4) harnesses are usable. www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ 3 Ventilate the area before entry and ensure good general ventilation indg258.pdf during work activities, if this is not possible provide mechanical Safe work in confined spaces. ventilation. Confined Spaces Regulations Caution: Never use fuelled engines in confined spaces. Carbon monoxide 1997. Approved Code of is very dangerous. Practice, Regulations and guidance L101 HSE Books 3 Test the air before entry, and monitor the air during the procedure. 2009 3 Have an authorised tester perform the gas test. ISBN 978 0 7176 6233 3 3 If required wear breathing apparatus, workers should check that it is www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/ working properly. l101.htm Note: the Confined Spaces Caution: Never try to ‘sweeten’ the air with oxygen. This increases the fire Regulations do not apply or explosion risk. offshore but L101 is a source of good practice 3 Ensure alarms are in place and that they were audible when last tested. 3 Use non-sparking tools or flameproof lighting for the task. Useful links 3 Ensure that people inside the space can communicate with those Occupational Safety and Health outside. Consultants Register 3 Where multiple entry occurs, ensure workers are checked in and out. www.oshcr.org/

Further information Emergency procedures You can find the full Offshore 3 When things go wrong, you need effective arrangements for rapid COSHH essentials series at rescue of those in danger. www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm 3 A specific plan is needed for an identified confined space, the risks, the number of people at work, and the likely nature of any emergency rescue. 3 Critical requirements include defining: n means for communication between workers and rescuers;

n the rescuers’ capabilities and training;

n the rescue and resuscitation equipment needs; and

n any emergency shut-down of plant or equipment

3 Train everyone involved. Hold practices and modify your procedures to improve the performance.

This guidance was developed by representatives from the UK offshore oil and gas industry and trade unions, with HSE.

© Crown copyright 2011 Published by the Health and Safety Executive 03/11