Supervise teams undertaking work in confined spaces

This standard is about the duties of a supervisor of confined spaces.  A supervisor will most likely be responsible for multiple teams working in confined spaces at any one time.   A confined space is any place, including any chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable specified risk.  Risks could lead to serious injury or death through fire, explosion, gas, fumes, vapour, lack of oxygen, rising levels of liquid, asphyxiation or entrapment by free flowing solids. 

It includes putting together work teams, planning pre-entry procedures, making sure all the safety and emergency equipment is available and checking that team members working in confined spaces are following safety procedures during normal working.  It also includes responding to and taking over direct supervision of confined spaces during emergency situations.

This standard is for supervisors of confined spaces.  It does not require entry into confined spaces.  

1. check that all relevant health and safety documents are in place before people enter confined spaces

2. arrange for necessary equipment to be available to carry out work activities

3. put together competent work teams to carry out work activities

4. allocate activities to individuals so that each necessary team role is filled

5. confirm all team members know and understand their roles before commencing work

6. brief work teams on the nature and classification of confined spaces and safe systems of work  at before they start work

7. carry out real-time risk assessments before teams start work

8. plan controls for access of people and vehicles around entry points

9. confirm communications systems are set up and tested before teams start work

10. confirm emergency arrangements, procedures and communications systems are in place and working properly

11. make emergency arrangements known to work teams and relevant support and off-site personnel

12. arrange for all rescue equipment to be on site as specified in emergency procedures

13. check atmospheric and other conditions are safe before work teams enter confined spaces

14. check work teams follow procedures for entry, exit and working in confined spaces

15. make sure procedures regarding the carrying and use of safety equipment are followed

16. make sure work teams use detection and entry equipment in line with manufacturers’ instructions

17. make sure regular communication about work activities and environmental conditions is maintained with work teams

18. remedy any situations where team members don’t follow procedures without delay

19. act without delay to respond to any unsafe activity, equipment or environmental conditions

20. make sure work teams are being monitored for continuous compliance with procedures 

21. confirm exclusion zones are in place to prevent entry by unauthorised people following emergency situations

22. confirm rescue equipment is in place before allowing entry to confined spaces

23. start emergency procedures immediately a need or situation arises

24. maintain control over work team members during incidents and emergencies 

25. make sure that emergency equipment is used in line with manufacturers’ instruction and emergency procedures

26. follow and maintain emergency procedures throughout incidents and emergencies

27. record and report incidents, emergencies  and their circumstances in line with organisational procedures

28. arrange for basic first aid from qualified individuals to be available to recovered surface casualties 

29. maintain emergency communications during incidents and emergencies in line with emergency procedures

30. give emergency services sufficient relevant information about incidents and emergencies when handing over to them 

31. make sure sites are secured and maintained for post-rescue investigations

32. oversee recovery of equipment and tools when work is finished

33. close down and make work areas safe when work is finished

34. make reports and complete all documentation and deposit them with designated people.

1. the main principles and characteristics of current confined spaces, health and safety and environmental legislation and regulations

2. approved codes of practice and guidance for working safely in confined spaces

3. using work authorizations and permits

4. personal duties and responsibilities under legislation 

5. responsibilities of a rescue team and its individual members

6. responsibilities of managing work teams

7. definitions of hazardous situations and different types and categories of hazards

8. types of spaces that could become confined due to the presence of a specified risk

9. hazards, substances, and situations associated with confined spaces 

10. dynamic assessment of how to reduce risk of injury to self, colleagues and the general public

11. how to assess and review risks and hazards, the hierarchy of control measures and how they can be used  to minimise risks to an acceptable level for work to be carried out

12. awareness of how emergency situations can arise in confined spaces

13. methods and techniques for using and wearing PPE 

14. fault finding techniques and recognition of limitations of equipment

15. manufacturers' instructions relating to the use of safety, escape and emergency equipment 

16. types of rescue equipment and their limitations 

17. legislation and approved codes of practice and guidelines for the use of safety equipment  including, self-contained breathing apparatus and airlines

18. how to maintain the safety of other team members

19. how to access individuals who are qualified in first aid

20. types and categories of emergency situation and procedures for dealing with irregularities, abnormal situations, emergencies, incidents and near misses including rescue and recovery and when you should inform others

21. confined space classification schemes 

22. how to identify medium and high risk confined spaces

23. how to prepare, test and use access, escape and assisted rescue equipment 

24. why it is important to be vigilant to possible risks and hazards and changing conditions at all times

25. procedures and methods of working suitable to the confined space classification and local conditions

26. the different types and limitations of monitoring equipment

27. ways to monitor conditions and work activity

28. why it is important to resolve problems without delay and designated people with whom to resolve them

29. communication methods for keeping in contact with team members in confined spaces, emergency teams and managers

30. procedures for the preparation, inspection and use of tools and equipment 

31. the purpose and use of emergency boards, logs and BACO boards

32. reporting systems for routine and non-routine work activities, resolving problems and emergency situations