Work safely in confined spaces

"This standard covers the competencies required for working safely in confined spaces. It applies whenever you are working within a confined space, regardless of the technical operation you are undertaking.
It covers the planning and preparation of confined space work, including assessing the risks.
You must carry out your work in a way that takes account of its impact on the environment.
This standard is for workers on rivers, coasts and waterways who are carrying out work in confined spaces."

"1. confirm the need for confined space working
2. prepare for confined space working in accordance with the relevant codes of practice and the procedures of your organisation
3. assess the risks of working in the confined space and select the relevant working methods
4. select and use the required safety equipment, check that it is functioning correctly, calibrated, and suitably maintained for confined space work
5. carry out the correct pre-entry checks in accordance the relevant codes of practice and the procedures of your organisation
6. place warning signs and barriers in the relevant locations
7. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and policies of your organisation
8. maintain communication with colleagues when working in confined spaces
9. monitor the safety of working conditions continuously during confined space work in accordance with the relevant codes of practice and the procedures of your organisation
10. where necessary, initiate safety and emergency procedures in accordance with the relevant codes of practice and the procedures of your organisation
11. complete records as required by the relevant legislation and your organisation"

"1. the principles and methods for working in confined spaces
2. the conditions that determine when confined space work is required
3. the relevant codes of practice and the procedures of your organisation for confined space work
4. the types of risks involved in confined space work
5. the types of equipment required for confined space work and the correct use and calibration of such equipment
6. the entry checks and procedures that are required when working in confined spaces
7. how and why to use warning signs when working in confined spaces
8. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and organisation policies
9. the importance of maintaining communication when working in confined spaces and how this should be done
10. the methods for monitoring safety during confined space work
11. the safety and emergency procedures of your organisation for confined space work and how to initiate these
12. the legal requirements and those of your organisation for the completion and storage of records"

"Equipment:
•      gas testing equipment
•      communications
•      protective clothing
•      breathing apparatus or escape sets
•      lifelines
•      winch
•      harness
•      lights
*
*
Risks:
•      water levels
•      atmosphere
•      water-borne pollutants
•      weather conditions
•      structural risks
*
*
Safety and emergency procedures:
•      changes in water levels
•      changes in atmosphere
•      incapacity of team members
•      water-borne pollutants"