Safe Work Procedure: Confined Space Entry

Document Number: [SWP-NUMBER] Revision Date: [DATE] Next Review Date: [NEXT REVIEW DATE] Department: [DEPARTMENT NAME]

1. Scope

This Safe Work Procedure (SWP) outlines the necessary steps and safety precautions to be followed when entering, working in, and exiting confined spaces. It applies to all employees, contractors, and visitors who may be required to enter a confined space at [COMPANY/SITE NAME]. This procedure aims to minimize the risks associated with confined space entry by providing a systematic approach to hazard identification, risk assessment, and control measures . This SWP is to be used in conjunction with other relevant safety procedures and regulations, including but not limited to, the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations and site-specific safety protocols.

2. Definitions

Confined Space: A space that: (a) is enclosed or partially enclosed; (b) is not designed or intended for continuous human occupancy; and (c) has a limited or restricted means of entry or exit or an internal configuration that could complicate provision of first aid, evacuation, rescue or other emergency response .

Hazardous Confined Space: A confined space that presents hazards likely to cause injury, illness, or other adverse health effects to persons entering, exiting, or occupying it due to its design, construction, location, atmosphere, materials, or other conditions .

Entry Permit: A written authorization that allows entry into a confined space after specified conditions and precautions have been met .

Attendant: An individual stationed outside one or more permit spaces who monitors the authorized entrants and who performs all attendant's duties assigned in the employer's permit space program .

Entrant: An employee who is authorized by the employer to enter a permit space .

Qualified Person: An individual with the knowledge, training, and experience to perform a specific task or assessment .

3. Responsibilities

3.1 Supervisors

Ensure that a confined space entry procedure is established and followed .
Ensure that all workers involved in confined space entry are adequately trained and competent .
Ensure a hazard assessment is conducted by a competent person before entry .
Issue entry permits and ensure all conditions are met before entry .
Provide and ensure the use of appropriate PPE and safety equipment .
Ensure emergency procedures are in place and understood by all workers .

3.2 Workers

Participate in required training and follow established procedures .
Use required PPE and safety equipment properly .
Inform supervisor of any hazards or concerns before or during entry .
Follow entry permit requirements and conditions .
Evacuate the confined space if an alarm is activated or a hazard is detected .

3.3 Health and Safety Representative

Participate in the development and review of confined space procedures .
Provide advice and support on hazard identification and control measures .
Monitor compliance with confined space procedures and regulations .

4. Potential Hazards and Risks

Hazard	Risk	Control Measures
Oxygen Deficiency/Enrichment	Asphyxiation, fire, explosion	Test atmosphere before entry; continuous monitoring; ventilation; supplied air respirators
Toxic Gases/Vapors	Poisoning, illness, death	Test atmosphere before entry; continuous monitoring; ventilation; respirators
Flammable/Explosive Atmospheres	Fire, explosion	Test atmosphere before entry; continuous monitoring; ventilation; eliminate ignition sources; inerting
Engulfment	Suffocation, crushing	Lockout/tagout of material sources; physical barriers; proper entry procedures
Hazardous Energy (Electrical, Mechanical, etc.)	Electrocution, injury	Lockout/tagout of energy sources; isolation procedures; verification of isolation
Physical Hazards (Slips, trips, falls, moving equipment)	Injury	Housekeeping; fall protection; barricades; equipment guarding
Poor Visibility	Injury	Adequate lighting; headlamps
Extreme Temperatures	Heat stress, hypothermia	Ventilation; cooling/heating devices; work/rest schedule; proper clothing
Biological Hazards	Illness, infection	Hygiene practices; PPE; disinfection

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Proper PPE must be used at all times when working in or around confined spaces to minimize the risk of injury or illness .

Hard Hat - Protects the head from falling objects and impacts.
Safety Glasses/Goggles - Protects eyes from dust, debris, and chemical splashes.
Gloves - Protects hands from cuts, abrasions, chemical exposure, and temperature extremes.
Safety Boots - Provides foot protection from impacts, punctures, and slips.
Respirator - Protects respiratory system from hazardous atmospheres (e.g., supplied air respirator, air-purifying respirator) .
Coveralls/Protective Clothing - Protects skin from contamination and physical hazards.
Harness and Lifeline - Used for fall protection and retrieval in vertical confined spaces .
Hearing Protection - Earplugs or earmuffs to protect against excessive noise levels.

Inspect all PPE before each use for damage or defects. Replace damaged or defective PPE immediately .

6. Equipment and Tools

Ensure all equipment and tools are in good working condition and appropriate for the task .

Atmospheric Monitoring Equipment - Used to test and monitor oxygen levels, flammable gases, and toxic substances .
Ventilation Equipment - Blowers or exhaust fans to ventilate the confined space .
Lighting Equipment - Explosion-proof lighting for adequate visibility .
Communication Equipment - Two-way radios or other devices for communication between entrant and attendant .
Retrieval System - Tripod, winch, and harness for rescue and retrieval of entrant .
Lockout/Tagout Equipment - Locks, tags, and devices to isolate energy sources .
Hand Tools - Non-sparking tools to reduce the risk of ignition in flammable atmospheres.

Inspect all equipment and tools before each use. Remove any defective equipment from service .

7. Pre-Job Requirements

7.1 Training and Competency

All workers involved in confined space entry must be trained in confined space hazards, entry procedures, and emergency response .
Training must include the proper use of PPE, atmospheric monitoring equipment, and rescue equipment .
Workers must demonstrate competency in performing their assigned tasks safely .
Ensure that competence in first aid, emergency response equipment, and confined space procedures is represented in the workers responding to an emergency .

7.2 Pre-Job Briefing

Conduct a pre-job briefing with all workers involved to discuss the scope of work, hazards, control measures, and emergency procedures .
Review the entry permit and ensure all workers understand their roles and responsibilities .
Ensure all workers have the necessary information to identify the confined space as such .

7.3 Work Area Preparation

Isolate the confined space by disconnecting all energy sources and blocking all pipelines or ducts .
Lockout and tagout all energy sources to prevent accidental activation .
Barricade the entrance to the confined space to prevent unauthorized entry .
Ensure adequate ventilation is provided to maintain a safe atmosphere .
Ensure a safe entrance to and exit from all accessible parts of the confined space .

8. Safe Work Procedure Steps

Step 1: Hazard Assessment and Permit Acquisition

Conduct a thorough hazard assessment of the confined space to identify potential hazards such as atmospheric conditions, structural issues, or stored materials .

8.1.1: Appoint a competent person to identify and assess hazards .
8.1.2: Specify the type and frequency of inspections and tests necessary to determine the likelihood of worker exposure to any of the identified hazards .
8.1.3: Perform the inspections and tests specified .
8.1.4: Specify the safety and personal protective equipment required to perform the work .
8.1.5: Identify the personal protective equipment and emergency equipment to be used by a worker who undertakes rescue operations in the event of an accident or other emergency .

Safety Considerations: Ensure the assessment is documented and reviewed by all team members. Obtain a confined space entry permit before proceeding .

Step 2: Atmospheric Testing and Ventilation

Test the atmosphere inside the confined space for oxygen levels, flammable gases, and toxic substances using calibrated direct-reading instruments .

8.2.1: Test for oxygen deficiency or enrichment .
8.2.2: Test for the presence of flammable or explosive substances .
8.2.3: Test for the presence and hazardous concentration of airborne chemical substances .

If a hazardous atmosphere is detected, ventilate the space using mechanical ventilation until a safe atmosphere is achieved and maintained .

8.2.4: Ensure that the ventilation in the confined space is adequate to maintain safe atmospheric conditions .

Safety Considerations: Continuous atmospheric monitoring is required during the entire entry. If safe atmosphere cannot be achieved, entry requires alternative measures such as supplied air respirators .

Step 3: Entry and Work

Ensure the attendant is present outside the confined space to monitor the entrant and maintain communication .

8.3.1: Maintain effective communication with a worker who has entered the hazardous confined space .

Entrant enters the confined space to perform the assigned task, following all safety precautions and using required PPE .

8.3.2: A worker involved in any aspect of a confined space entry must comply with the requirements and procedures in the code of practice .

Safety Considerations: No person is allowed to enter a confined space at a work site without a valid entry permit . The entrant must be aware of changing conditions and potential hazards. If any unsafe condition arises, the entrant must exit immediately .

Step 4: Continuous Monitoring and Communication

The attendant continuously monitors the entrant's condition and the atmosphere inside the confined space .

8.4.1: The attendant maintains contact between a person in the confined space and an attendant required and the means by which the written rescue procedure is initiated in the event of an emergency in the confined space .

Maintain constant communication with the entrant to ensure their safety and well-being .

8.4.2: The means to maintain effective communication with a worker who has entered the hazardous confined space .

Safety Considerations: The attendant must be trained and equipped to initiate rescue procedures if necessary .

Step 5: Exit and Closure

Upon completion of the task or if any unsafe condition arises, the entrant exits the confined space .

8.5.1: Procedures to enter, work in and exit from the hazardous confined space safely .

Remove all equipment and tools from the confined space .

8.5.2: Ensure that all personal protective equipment and emergency equipment required for use in a confined space or a restricted space is inspected by a competent person to ensure the equipment is in good working order before workers enter the confined space or the restricted space .

Cancel the entry permit and secure the confined space to prevent unauthorized entry .

Safety Considerations: Conduct a post-entry debriefing to identify any lessons learned and improve future entries .

9. Precautions and Safety Measures

Entry Permit: No person is allowed to enter a confined space at a work site without a valid entry permit .
Atmospheric Testing: The atmosphere inside the confined space must be tested before entry and continuously monitored during entry .
Ventilation: Adequate ventilation must be provided to maintain a safe atmosphere inside the confined space .
Lockout/Tagout: All energy sources must be locked out and tagged out before entry .
Emergency Procedures: Emergency procedures must be in place and understood by all workers before entry .

10. Emergency Procedures

10.1 General Emergency Response

In the event of an emergency, immediately evacuate the confined space .
Activate the emergency alarm and notify the emergency response team .
Provide first aid and medical assistance to any injured workers .
Secure the area and prevent further entry .

10.2 Specific Emergency Scenarios

Atmospheric Hazard: Increase ventilation and use appropriate respiratory protection .
Entrapment: Use retrieval system to remove the entrant from the confined space .
Medical Emergency: Provide first aid and evacuate the entrant for medical attention .

10.3 Emergency Contact Information

[Emergency Contact 1] - [Phone Number]
[Emergency Contact 2] - [Phone Number]
[Emergency Contact 3] - [Phone Number]

11. Incident Reporting and Investigation

All incidents, near-misses, and hazards must be reported to the supervisor immediately .
An investigation will be conducted to determine the root cause of the incident and implement corrective actions .

12. References and Related Documents

Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
Company Confined Space Entry Program
Emergency Response Plan

Approved by: [NAME AND POSITION] Date: [APPROVAL DATE]