Confined Spaces Flashcards
How do you define a confined space?
Any space that is enclosed or partially enclosed with a reasonably foreseeable, specified risk
What are the risk classifications?
- NC1: Low risk (shallow, simple entry, self rescue possible)
- NC2: Medium (vertical, direct, unobstructed access, self rescue not possible)
- NC3: Medium (team entry moving away from entry point, self rescue not possible)
- NC4: High (non-standard, complex entry, specialist rescue arrangements required)
What must the entry team consider when entering a confined space?
- A dynamic risk assessment
- All staff are SQEP
- Communications/briefing prior to entry
- All equipment is fit for purpose
What are the laws and regulations for confined spaces?
- Health and safety at work act 1974
- Confined space regulations 1997
- Management of health and safety at work regulations
- PPE
- Provision and use of work equipment regulations
- Working at height regulations
- Lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations
- Reporting incidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences
- First aid at work regulations
- COSHH
What specified risks are there in confined spaces?
- Fire and explosion
- Excessive temperature
- Toxic gases, fumes, and vapours
- Oxygen deficiency and enrichment
- Flooding
- Entrapment
What gases are lighter than air?
- Ammonia
- Methane
- Carbon monoxide
What are the 5 key elements to a risk assessment?
- Identify hazards
- Identify person’s at risk
- Implement control measures to mitigate against the risk
- Record findings
- Review findings
Define risk
Likelihood of a hazard occuring and the severity of the hazard
Define hazard
Something with the potential to cause harm of damage
Define mitigation
Controls implemented to reduce risk
Define risk rating
Likelihood x severity
Why should near misses be reported?
- Prevents accident/injury
- Prevents reoccurrence
- Protects personnel
- Protects equipment
- Protects environment
- Identifies hidden risks
- Identifies inadequate PPE
- Ensures lessons are learnt
What other processes besides risk assessments can reduce risk?
- Trained and competent staff
- Method statements
- Safe systems of work
- Suitable equipment
- Comprehensive briefs
- System isolations
- Clear communications
Why should personnel be briefed on their specific roles in an emergency situation?
- Correct procedures followed
- Reduce risk of injury
- Avoid confusion
- Avoid duplication of tasks
- Avoid escalation of emergency
- Enable timely resoltion
Why do we dispose of contaminated clothing/equipment?
- Reduce risk of bacterial/viral infection
- Reduce risk of contaminating family
- Reduce risk to environment
- Prevent cross contamination
- Prevent contaminating equipment
List 6 effective decontamination procedures?
- Drench showers
- Bagging/dispose of contaminated clothing
- Cleaning/disinfecting tools/equipment
- Quarantine equipment until ready for decontamination
- Correct waste disposal
- Reporting of personnel details
What gases can be found in the atmosphere and what are the LTEL/STEL?
- Ammonia (NH3): 25ppm/35ppm
- Carbon dioxide (CO2): 5000ppm/15000ppm
- Carbon monoxide (CO): 20ppm/100ppm
- Chlorine (CL2): NA/0.5ppm
- Fluorine (F2): NA/1ppm
- Hydrogen sulphide (H2S): 5ppm/10ppm
- Nitric acid (HN03): 2ppm/1ppm
- Ozone (O3): NA/0.2ppm
- Sulphur dioxide (SO2): 1ppm/0.5ppm
What does WELS, TWA, STEL, LTEL stand for?
- Workplace exposure limits
- Time weighted average
- Short term exposure limits
- Long term exposure limits
How long is STEL/LTEL measured over?
- STEL: 15mins
- LTEL: 8 hours
When should gas monitors not be used?
- Immersion in water
- Filters blocked on sensors
- Sensors not suitable
- Contaminated sensors
- Damage to gas monitor
What are the physical limitations of fixed gas detection systems?
- Range of gases detected not flexible
- Fixed locations
- Gases not monitored in proximity of rescue teams
- May not be at correct height
- Rescue teams not able to immediately check gas levels
- Rescue teams reliant on relayed info
Why is is important to follow manufacturer’s instructions?
- Statutory duty
- Complying with training
- Following procedure
- Avoid damage
- Avoid harm/injury
- Preventing emergencies
What are functional issues with lighting?
- Heavy
- Trip hazards
- Limited battery life
- Electrocution risk
What team members make up a confined spaces team?
- Rescue team member
- Link person
- Manager
- Topman
