Confined Space Procedure
Confined Space Procedure
Confined Space Procedure
SCOPE: This Policy is applicable to every employee of Company NAME or its subsidiaries,
including senior executives and financial officers.
INDEX
1 PURPOSE............................................................................................................................ 3
2 DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS.........................................................................................3
2.1 Definitions...................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Acronyms....................................................................................................................... 5
3 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES........................................................................................6
3.1 Business Partners / Vendors.........................................................................................6
3.2 Employees and Business Partner Employees...............................................................6
3.3 Authorized Entrant/Entering Personnel..........................................................................6
3.4 Health, Safety, Environment and Assurance (HSEA)....................................................7
3.5 Spotter / Attendant.........................................................................................................7
3.6 Supervisor or Designee.................................................................................................7
4 PROCEDURE....................................................................................................................... 7
4.1 General.......................................................................................................................... 7
4.2 Training.......................................................................................................................... 9
4.3 Supervisor..................................................................................................................... 9
4.4 Spotter / Attendant.........................................................................................................9
4.5 Entering Personnel......................................................................................................10
4.6 Confined Space Rescue Plan......................................................................................10
5 CONSIDERATIONS FOR TEMPERATURE.......................................................................11
6 IDLH CONFINED SPACE ENTRY......................................................................................11
7 CONFINED SPACE PREMIT..............................................................................................13
APPENDIX A; EFFECTIVE TEMPERATURE CHART..................................................................1
Document Reference
Confined Space Entry Policy
1 PURPOSE
To provide clear and consistent guidance to minimize worker’s exposure and mitigate potential
/ Inherent hazards when working in confined spaces, ensuring the health and safety of all
Company NAME personnel and business partners involved in controlling or working in a
Confined Space.
2.1 Definitions
Attendant/Spotter – Any trained individual, whether Company NAME or business partner
employee, stationed at the entry / exit of the confined space: controlling movement and
maintaining the list of personnel into and exiting a confined space, able to communicate
effectively with personnel inside the confined space, and knowledgeable about the rescue
plan in the event of an emergency. The Spotter / Attendant shall not enter the confined space
under any circumstance and may serve as the Permit Issuer.
Breathing Air - Compressed breathing air shall meet at least the requirements for Grade D
breathing air described in ANSI/Compressed Gas Association Commodity Specification for
Air, G-7.1-1989, to include:
Bump Test - The routine scheduled testing of a device against known gas concentrations to
ensure proper functionality and operation for each gas type the instrument will measure.
Multi-gas meters are typically ‘docked’ to a fixed station when not in use. This
station is equipped with gas cylinders associated with each atmospheric
contaminant, which ‘bumps’ the device at a specified time to ensure the proper
functionality of each specific sensor and alarm within the device.
Non-typical contaminant measurement devices (i.e., Jerome meter for Mercury)
may not have a ‘docking’ station, but each device likely does have a regeneration
and / or pre-use process associated with the use of the device. These devices will
be unique and specific to the gas / contaminant they are intended to measure,
requiring the appropriate level of task training to ensure knowledge and proper use
of each device.
Business Partner – Any third party who provides the delivery of services, goods and/or
materials in accordance with the agreed terms and conditions. Business partner includes all
service contractors, goods suppliers, vendors, sales representatives, consultants, etc.
Competent person - A person having the ability and experience that fully qualifies him/her to
perform the duty in which they are assigned.
The above list is meant to be a guideline, no one definition will be able to cover every situation
that is encountered. It will be up to the individuals doing the work and their supervisors to
determine if a confined space permit is necessary.
Confined Space Entry Permit - The official document that identifies the confined space,
nature of the work, controls in place for hazards, atmospheric monitoring requirements and
results, and authorization to conduct the work. The permit duration may never exceed one
shift.
Effective Temperature – The temperature which results from the combination of the dry air
temperature reading and the wet bulb temperature reading. This measurement takes into
account the humidity of the air and gives a standard measurement for use.
Emergency Response Plan (ERP) – A plan that guides actions and activities to be taken
when credible events occur or are identified through the risk assessment.
Entrant – An individual who has fulfilled the training requirements to enter a confined space.
Gas Detection Equipment Operator - A person trained in use of equipment to monitor air
quality in a confined space. The Gas Detection Equipment Operator may also be the Permit
Issuer.
Hazardous Atmosphere - An atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death,
incapacitation, impairment of the ability to self-rescue, or injury, or acute/chronic illness. For
example:
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) - Any condition that poses an immediate
hazard to life or poses immediate irreversible debilitating effects on health.
Job Hazard Analysis – Is a technique that focuses on job tasks as a way to identify hazards
before they occur. It focuses on the relationship between the worker, the task, the tools, and
the work environment.
Leadership – Persons or groups of people who direct and/or control an organization and
have the power to delegate authority and provide resources within their level of responsibility
or accountability in the organization.
Permit Approver - A competent person who has been given authorization to approve Permits
completed by the Permit Issuer. The Permit Approver is responsible to identify potential IDLH
hazards, determine the need for immediate availability of the Mine Rescue Team at the entry
location, and verify the ‘Preparation and Equipment Necessary’ section of the permit. The
Permit Approver cannot also be the Permit Issuer.
Permit Holder / Receiver - The person holding / receiving the permit who is undertaking,
overseeing or directing the work.
Permit Issuer - A competent person who issues the Permit. The Permit Issuer is responsible
to complete or ensure the completion of the detail information at the beginning of the permit,
including the ‘Atmospheric Testing’. This person can also be the Permit Holder but cannot be
the Permit Approver.
2.2 Acronyms
CL2 Chlorine
CO Carbon Monoxide
Hg Mercury Vapor
NO Nitric Oxide
PPM
Should the Spotter and Entrant want to switch roles, they much each sign out of their
respective spots on the Confined Space Permit and then sign in under their new roles. A new
Confined Space Permit is NOT needed under this circumstance.
Spotters/Attendants will be assigned to monitor one confined space at a time. Any deviation
from this will require a Job Hazard Analysis and sign off by the site leadership team.
4 PROCEDURE
4.1 General
Confined spaces must be identified and have appropriate signage. Each site shall maintain a
register of all known confined spaces.
The Permit Approver will approve the Confined Space Entry Permit. The permit will be issued
by a competent person who is not the approver.
Confined Spaces surfaces must be cleaned to remove materials that may fall on personnel.
Hazardous energy sources must be identified and confirmed to be isolated and secured before
Confined Space entry occurs.
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Harmful materials and contaminants must be identified and confirmed to be isolated and
secured before Confined Space entry occurs.
Cylinders containing oxygen, acetylene and other gases intended for use to perform the work
will not be accepted inside the confined space.
Grade ‘D’ compressed breathing air cylinders will be allowed inside the confined space during
any potential emergency response / rescue, or specific IDLH entries (please refer to sections
4.6 and 6.0 of this document).
Atmospheric monitoring will be conducted for gases that may create a harmful environment
prior to beginning, and periodically during the job at a minimum of every three hours. The
atmospheric test intervals must be listed on the space provided on the Confined Space Entry
Permit Form.
Atmospheric and condition monitoring shall be done in the actual area of the confined space
where entrants will travel and work. Continuous monitoring may be required.
Any work in confined spaces will be stopped if conditions under which the authorization was
given have changed, and / or permit limitations have been exceeded. Any permit limitation
exceedance or evacuation of the confined space will invalidate the current Confined Space
Entry permit; this permit must be closed at the time of the exceedance, and a new permit must
be issued when conditions have returned to acceptable limits. The work will be restarted once
the safety conditions have been re-established.
Gas detection equipment must have a current calibration and have been tested using test gas
(“Bump Test”) within the previous 24 hours.
If conditions are encountered where there is potential for an IDLH atmosphere / condition,
then all requirements of 6.0 of this policy must be met.
Due to the nature of the work, altered / staggered shift schedules and / or pre-determined shift
start and stop times and durations, the definition of a ‘shift’ may not reflect a typical or
customarily recognized shift. Altered shift durations require Supervisor or Designee approval.
Regardless of shift type (typical, or altered / staggered), any work in confined spaces that will
carry over beyond the current shift will require expiration & closure of the current permit, and
reissue of the new Confined Space Entry Permit for each succeeding shift.
The Confined Space Entry Permit must be closed at the completion of the work, or at the
completion of the recognized shift (regular shift or altered shift). Closure of the permit requires
confirmation that all entrants have exited the confined space and are accounted for. Closure
of the permit can be completed by any competent and qualified personnel, but preferably by
the same personnel associated with each specific entry.
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Confined Space Entry
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4.2 Training
Permit Approvers, permit issuers, authorized entry personnel, and attendants who may be
required to work in a confined space shall participate in training annually and establish their
proficiency in their required duties by way of a written examination. Records of the training
shall be documented and maintained, and shall contain each employee’s name, the
signatures or initials of the trainers, and the dates of training.
All persons performing atmospheric testing shall be trained in the use of air-monitoring
devices being used. In the instance nuclear sources are installed, a competent employee will
perform radiation testing for entry into a confined space as required by the Radiation Safety
Officer.
4.3 Supervisor
The supervisor or authorized (trained and competent) designee plans the entrance. The
following questions are a guideline for planning confined space work:
The Confined Space Entry Permit will be signed by the trained and competent Permit Issuer
and Permit Approver and maintained at the entrance of the confined space.
If a permit expires before the work in the confined space is completed, the permit must be
reissued and approved by the supervisor or authorized (trained and competent) designee
before continuing with the work.
Remains outside the confined space at the entry / exit location as an observer and never
enters the confined space.
Ensures all entrants sign in and out of the space on the confined space entry permit.
Entrants exiting the space that remain in the immediate area of the entry, and within
constant sight of the spotter / attendant do not have to sign out if they are exiting
temporarily (i.e., operating the liner cart on the SAG Mill liner handling machine).
Can assist entrant personnel with some activities (assist with entering or exiting, monitoring
the atmosphere in the confined space, passing a tool, etc.) as long as the attendant remains
at the entrance, does not enter the confined space, continuously monitors personnel in the
confined space, is not engaged in any other work, and is not exposed to the hazards of the
confined space.
Enter only if the permit authorizing entry has been completed and signed by the Permit Issuer
and Permit Approver or designee(s).
Review and follow all of the requirements on the permit authorizing entry.
Monitor work conditions in the confined space and notify the spotter / attendant immediately of
hazardous conditions.
Evacuate or leave the space immediately when monitoring indicates a hazardous condition or
when the spotter / attendant orders an evacuation.
For designated high risk Confined Space entries the plan must include the specific equipment
required, determine if the equipment must be in place prior to entry, and appropriate rescue
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If employees are required to work in a confined space where high temperatures are
anticipated or identified in the team risk assessment, the following procedures shall be used:
Measure the effective temperature inside the confined space where work is to be
performed by use of a digital sling psychrometer or other suitable instrument using
the manufacturer’s instructions.
If the instrument is capable of measuring effective temperature on its own record
the effective temperature
If the instrument measures a wet and dry bulb reading, take both readings and use
the chart below or on the confined space permit to determine the effective
temperature.
In high effective temperature confined spaces, the following break times will be utilized by all
employees entering the confined space:
If the effective temperature is below 81°F, work may progress with normal concerns
for safety
If the effective temperature is between 84°F and 86°F, a 10-minute break every
hour will be given
If the effective temperature is between 86°F and 88°F, a 15-minute break every
hour will be given
If the effective temperature is between 88°F and 90°F, a 20-minute break every
hour will be given
If the effective temperature is above 90°F, work will be stopped, and controls
implemented to reduce the effective temperature
Under special circumstances work my need to be performed in confined spaces above 90°F
effective temperature. In these cases, special procedures will be implemented by the
department following a documented Team Risk Assessment. At a minimum, the procedures
should include implementation of specialized PPE and/or forced ventilation to assist in cooling.
Must be approved & signed by the area superintendent or designee, and HSEA.
IDLH atmospheres have the potential to cause life threatening effects within a matter of
minutes. Therefore, the mine rescue team must be notified so they can prepare appropriately
for the situation based on the table below.
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Entry into an IDLH confined space is only permitted after all means to remove the hazardous
atmosphere have been attempted to include the following:
All Company NAME employees and business partners must be medically cleared to
wear Supplied Air Respirator (SAR), as well as cleared to work in a level A or B suit
if required.
Continuous atmospheric monitoring will be conducted whenever entrants are inside a confined
space in actual/potential IDLH atmospheres.
Whenever possible, at least two entrants will enter into an IDLH confined space. This will
enable the entrants to monitor conditions such as tears in protective clothing, etc.
In emergency situations the Emergency Response Team will follow the training and
guidelines in the Emergency Response Plan (ERP).
Life
threatenin
g effects
will occur
Agent PPM Range PPE Requirements after:
14% -
19.5% Supplied air with emergency cylinder 15 minutes
<14% No entry allowed
Oxygen Oxygen Enrichment – Entry not allowed. Enriched oxygen will
increase the chance of combustion/explosion by lowering flash point
>23.5%
& Lower Explosive Limits (LEL).
Life
threatenin
g effects
will occur
Agent PPM Range PPE Requirements after:
Hydrogen 50 ppm – Supplied air with appropriate escape cylinder 30 minutes
Sulfide (H2S) 300 ppm
>300 ppm No entry allowed
Sulfur Dioxide >100 ppm No entry allowed
(SO2)
Mercury Vapor 1 mg/m3 – Supplied air with appropriate escape cylinder 15 minutes
(Hg) 10 mg/m3 Level A suit – vapor impenetrable
o Tychem TK (example)
>10 mg/m3 No entry allowed
Chlorine (CL2) 10 ppm – Supplied air with appropriate escape cylinder 15 minutes
20 ppm Chemical Suit
o Tychem QC (example)
>20 ppm No entry allowed
Nitric Oxide 25 ppm – Supplied air with appropriate escape cylinder 15 minutes
(NO) 150 ppm Chemical Suit
o Tychem TK (example)
>150 ppm No entry allowed
Nitrogen 3 ppm – Supplied air with appropriate escape cylinder 30 minutes
Dioxide (NO2) 75 ppm Level A suite
o Tychem Responder(example)
>75 ppm No entry allowed
7 REFERENCES
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Confined Space Entry
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