Work in Confined Spaces
5. Insulation/Isolation of the Confined Space
Before commencing work, we must ensure that the enclosure will be completely insulated and blocked against two types of risk:
- Untimely power supply, by means of inviolable lockout devices that make said supply totally impossible.
- The input of chemical substances, via the installing of blind flanges in piping, including safety circuit piping as well as purging or inertization piping.
- As well as insulating, it will be essential to signpost with clear, indelible information that work is being carried out inside confined spaces and to cordon off the area, impeding access to the surroundings of the enclosure.
6. Carrying out the Job
Check the necessary equipment to carry out the work (see the site Health and Safety Plan).
The person who enters inside the enclosure is to do so fastened to a safety rope and harness, which is to be equipped with suitable means for securing and rescuing. In addition,suitable means for extinguishing fires are to be available outside.
The person monitoring is to remain outside at the mouth of the confined space at all times, and is never to leave his post in any case whatsoever.
He is to monitor all the operations, maintaining continuous Contact with the workers inside, either visually or by means of an effective communication system.
Inside the enclosure, it is essential to take continuous measurements of the atmosphere. Suitable measurement devices are to be made available for this purpose
On completing the work inside, all the equipment and tools that have been used are to be removed, leaving the location clean and tidy.
The worker who carries out the task of monitoring must not abandon his post until all the workers have completely finished their work in the confined space and are wholly outside it.
The Foreman is to be informed that the job has been completed so as to proceed to remove the lock-out and blocking systems, if applicable.
If work is to continue on successive work days, the process of checking equipment, informing workers, authorisation, etc., is to be re-commenced. The only step that is not necessary is that of repeating the Naming of the Preventive Resource Figure, as long as the worker monitoring the work from outside is the same person as on the previous day.
