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Introduction1.6Identification ofConfined SpacesMany potential confined spaces are easilyidentified, for example, roofed tanks for storingliquids, pressure vessels, ships’ hulls and storagespaces, underground chambers and sewers.Others are less obvious but may be equallydangerous in the presence of hazardousconditions, for example, open-topped tanks andvats, bunds around fixed storage tanks, trenches,parts of buildings during construction, wells,storage silos, shipping containers andunventilated or inadequately ventilated rooms orcompartments.Potentially any substantially enclosed structure,in which people work, could be or could becomea confined space.perhaps due to the type of work to beundertaken. Examples include a room duringspray painting or a metal air duct undergoingwelding operations.Other places fall within the definition of aconfined space by reason of a foreseeablecoincidence. Examples include a trench in thevicinity of a leaking buried gas main, a garage pitinto which petrol has spilled, an unventilated pubcellar containing a leaking gas cylinder or atransport container in which a volatile toxicchemical has spilled.Some places such as sewers, fuel storage tanksand certain chemical storage vessels, can beconsidered to fall readily on an ongoing basiswithin the definition of a confined space.Some places which fall within the definition of aconfined space may do so only occasionally,Code of Practice for Working in Confined Spaces Page 5

2. The Hazards of Confined SpacesThis Code of Practice is concerned only with thosehazards which arise by virtue of the enclosednature of the work space and which can result inserious injury, necessitating emergency action.2.1Other HazardsOther hazards, which may be present and whichare associated with the place of work (e.g.slippery floors, falls from a height, moving partsof mechanical equipment, corrosive surfaces,non-life threatening levels of toxic fumes,presence of radioactive sources for levelmeasurement, etc) or with the work activity (e.g.noise, electricity, mechanical equipment, dustetc), must be identified and evaluated in thenormal manner.Indeed some of these other hazards are oftenassociated with confined spaces in particularindustry sectors. For example, in the chemical andpharmaceutical industries, physical contact withmechanically-powered apparatus is a hazardcommonly associated with confined spaces due tothe presence of rotary agitators in process vessels.In the local authority sector, the hazard ofexposure to micro-organisms is synonymous withwork in sewers. In the industrial sector, thehazard of contact with live electrodes whenentering electrostatic filters is also well knownand sometimes associated with work in confinedspaces. Appropriate control measures should beput in place for these hazards, as for any others,which may be present.2.2Relevant HazardsThe hazards to be considered here are thosehazards, which arising in combination with theenclosed nature of the working space, lead to arisk of serious injury or harm, necessitatingemergency action. These hazards may be existingor foreseeable. They include the following:2.2.1 Toxic AtmosphereA toxic atmosphere can cause various acuteeffects, including impairment of judgement,unconsciousness and death. It may occur in thePage 6 Code of Practice for Working in Confined Spacesconfined space due to the presence or ingress ofhazardous substances. These substances mayremain from previous processing, or be present asa result of previous storage, or arise from thedisturbance of sludge or other deposits (e.g.during cleaning). Sometimes hazardoussubstances may be trapped under scale or inbrickwork only to be released as a result of thework process.Hazardous substances may also enter the spacefrom adjoining plant that has not been isolatedeffectively. Gas and fumes can build up over timein, or can travel along sewers, cable tunnels orculverts. Hazardous substances may be producedby a work process being carried out inside or inthe environs of the confined space, for example,by welding, flame cutting or use of plant ormachinery.A fire within or in the environs of a confinedspace could also result in the formation of a toxicatmosphere within the space.2.2.2 Oxygen DeficiencyA deficiency of oxygen in the atmosphere canresult in impairment of judgement,unconsciousness and death. It can be caused bydisplacement of air by another gas or by variousbiological processes or chemical reactions (e.g.rotting of organic matter, rusting of metal,burning, etc) which scavenge or consume oxygenfrom the air. Oxygen can also be removed fromthe air by absorption onto steel surfaces,especially where these are damp.2.2.3 Oxygen EnrichmentAn excess of oxygen in the atmosphere, in thepresence of combustible material, results in anincreased risk of fire or explosion. Oxygenenrichment, even by a few percent, considerablyincreases the risk of fire. Materials, which do notburn in air, may burn vigorously or evenspontaneously in enriched air. The flammabilityof clothing may be increased. Oxygen enrichmentmay be caused, for example, by a leak of oxygenfrom an oxygen cylinder used in gouging orflame cutting operations.

2. The Hazards of Confined Spaces2.2.4 Flammable orExplosive AtmospheresA flammable atmosphere presents a risk of fire orexplosion. Such an atmosphere can arise from thepresence in the confined space of flammableliquids or gases or of a suspension of combustibledust in air. If a flammable atmosphere inside aconfined space ignites, an explosion may occur,resulting in the expulsion of hot gases and thedisintegration of the structure.2.2.6 Excessive HeatThe enclosed nature of a confined space canincrease the risk of heat stroke or collapse fromheat stress, if conditions are excessively hot. Therisk may be exacerbated by the wearing ofpersonal protective equipment or by lack ofventilation.2.2.5 Flowing Liquid orFree Flowing SolidsLiquids or solids can flow into the confined space,drowning or suffocating the occupants or causingother injuries such as burns. Solids in powderform may also be disturbed in a confined spaceresulting in an asphyxiating atmosphere.Code of Practice for Working in Confined Spaces Page 7

3. Responsibilities3.1Employers and theSelf-EmployedEmployers and self-employed persons areresponsible for carrying out or implementing thenecessary safety and health measures to ensuresafe working in confined spaces as follows:(a) Employers in respect of work carried out bytheir own employees and work carried out byany other person (e.g. contractors) insofar asthat work is to any extent under theemployers' control; and(b) The self-employed in respect of their ownwork and work carried out by any otherperson insofar as that work is to any extentunder the control of the self-employedperson.Where control of work is shared between one ormore employers or self-employed, thoseemployers or self-employed must liaise and cooperate with each other to agree their respectiveresponsibilities in ensuring the safety of anyperson entering a confined space. Co-operationand liaison is also required when: Identifying the potential hazardsand assessing the risks. Developing and implementing a safe systemfor entering and working in a confined space. Making suitable and sufficient arrangementsfor the rescue of persons in the event ofan emergency.When engaging contractors who may havecontrol to any extent of work in a confinedspace, the employer or self-employed will needto take all necessary steps to ensure that thecontractors are competent for the work involved.Page 8 Code of Practice for Working in Confined Spaces3.2EmployeesEmployees must co-operate with their employer,taking into account information, training andinstruction received, to enable the employerimplement a safe system of work and executeeffective emergency arrangements to ensure safeworking in confined spaces. Employees must alsomake proper use of any equipment providedincluding personal protective equipment suppliedby their employer, where required as part of thesafe system of work, for example, use of safetyharnesses, respiratory protective equipment andreflective clothing.

4. Prevention of the Need for EntryNo one shall enter or be required to enter aconfined space to carry out work for any purposeunless it is not reasonably practicable to achievethat purpose without entering the space.4.1 Inspection or checking of what is happeninginside without going in by looking in througha porthole, sightglass, grille or hole. The useof closed circuit television systems may beappropriate in some cases.Choice of Work Method4.2Employers, self-employed or others in control toany extent of a work activity must take accountof the inherently higher risk to safety and healthwhich entry into a confined space entails whileplanning that work activity. All methods ofcarrying out the work which enable the purposeto be achieved without the need to enter theconfined space should be considered. Themeasures which avoid the need for entry, mightinvolve changing work practices or equipment, ordismantling a structure prior to entry.If an alternative method of carrying out work isreasonably practicable and if it entails a loweroverall risk to safety and health, it must be used.In order to ensure that entirely new hazards arenot introduced or other risks increased, those incontrol must consider carefully the full impact ofany proposals and weigh up the pros and cons ofthe various options.Where entry into a confined space for certainwork is required on a periodic basis thefrequency of entry should be minimised as far aspracticable.Examples of modified working practices thatprevent the need for entry include: Sampling the atmosphere or contents ofconfined spaces from outside using long toolsand probes, etc. Cleaning a confined space, or removingresidues from it, from the outside using waterjetting, steam or chemical cleaning, longhandled tools, or in-place cleaning systems. Avoiding blockages in silos, where grain orother solids can 'bridge', and thus the need toenter, by the use of devices such as vibratorsor air blasters.Provision of Safe Plantand EquipmentManufacturers and suppliers of equipment aswell as designers, engineers and architects shouldaim to eliminate the need for persons to enter aconfined space. This may be achieved byinstalling in-situ sampling devices, in-placecleaning systems, portholes and/or incorporatinga system for dismantling the plant or equipment.4.3Prevention ofUnauthorised EntryEmployers, self-employed or others in control toany extent of a workplace must take reasonablemeasures to ensure that unauthorised entry intoa confined space within that workplace isprevented.Measures may include education of theworkforce on the hazards of confined spaces,the placing of warning signs at entry points andeffective control of contractors, visitors andothers in the workplace. Reasonable securitymeasures may be necessary to prevent illicit entry.Code of Practice for Working in Confined Spaces Page 9

5. The Risk Assessment5.1hazards (or both of them) of theundertaking or establishment inwhich he or she undertakes work, theperson possesses sufficient training,experience and knowledge appropriateto the nature of the work toundertaken.Key Elements of RiskAssessment and ControlBefore carrying out work which involves entryinto a confined space, a risk assessment(conducted in accordance with section 19 of theSafety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005(No.10 of 2005)) is necessary to determine whatmeasures need to be taken to ensure the safetyand health of those entering and working in theconfined space.The purpose of the risk assessment is to identifythe relevant hazards and formulate a safe systemof work, which will be described in more detail inSection 6 of this Code. It will also determine theemergency arrangements, which must be in placeprior to entry. Note that the necessary protectivemeasures and emergency arrangements must beappropriate both for the hazards of concern inthis code and any other hazards which might bepresent (falls from height, contact with movingparts of machinery, contact with live electricalequipment, cardiac arrest by natural causes etc.).The risk assessment must evaluate the risks tothose entering or working there, and also anyothers, for example, other workers includingcontractors and the general public in the vicinitywho could be affected by the work to beundertaken. If the risk is found to beunacceptable, then entry must not beundertaken. All relevant and availableinformation should be sought and consideredwhen carrying out the assessment. Failure toinclude relevant information in the riskassessment could lead to inadequate precautionsin the system of work.The assessment must be carried out by acompetent person. A “competent person” isdefined in section 2(2) of the Safety, Health andWelfare at Work Act 2005 as follows –“(2) (a)For the purposes of the relevantstatutory provisions, a person isdeemed to be a competent personwhere, having regard to the task heor she is required to perform andtaking account of the size orPage 10 Code of Practice for Working in Confined Spaces(b) Account shall be taken, as appropriate,for the purposes of paragraph (a) of theframework of qualifications referred toin the Qualifications (Education andTraining) Act 1999.”In short, for the purpose of this Code of Practice,a competent person is someone with sufficientexperience of, and familiarity with, the relevantprocesses, plant and equipment so that he or sheunderstands the risks involved and can devise thenecessary precautions and emergencyarrangements to ensure safety and health. Incomplex cases more than one person may beneeded to conduct assessments of risks relatingto specific required areas of expertise.Employees and their representatives should beconsulted when assessing the risks connectedwith entering or working in a confined space andwhen developing a safe system of work andemergency arrangements.5.2Generic Risk AssessmentA generic risk assessment may be suitable for aclass of confined spaces (e.g. transversableunderground sewers operated by localauthorities or cable tunnels in a power plant). Allconfined spaces in such a class should be similarin terms of the conditions involved, the activitiesbeing carried out, and the necessary controlmeasures. A “model” safe system of work may bedeveloped. Great care must be taken to identifyany particular case of entry into a confined spacewith atypical features, which would require amodified safe system of work.Where an industry sector has established goodpractice, supported by published guidance, onthe classification of confined spaces, theadoption of this classification system (subject tothe provisos listed above) will be particularly

5. The Risk Assessmentadvantageous for the standardisation of safework procedures and the specification of trainingrequirements. Such standardisation is asignificant practical aid to contractors and otherworkers who provide confined space entryservices to a range of clients within a singleindustry sector. The water/sewerage sector is anexample of an industry where a classificationsystem for confined spaces is well developed.Warning: The adoption of a classification systemdoes not lessen the requirement for a thoroughrisk assessment.5.3Identify the HazardsIn carrying out the assessment, hazards to beconsidered include those arising as a result of:(i) What’s inside the confined space includinghazards associated with the inherent nature,structure, contents or condition of theconfined space,(ii) What’s created by the work and otheractivities being carried out, and(iii) What’s outside the confined space in respectof conditions, hazards or substances thatcould affect a person within the space.5.3.1 What’s InsideThe general state of the confined space shouldbe assessed to identify what substances orconditions might be present, and cause aproblem. For example, is the concentration ofoxygen normal? Can valuable information orexperience be got from operators or otherindividuals who are familiar with the particularworkplace? What information is available fromrecords, drawings or design data?The physical dimensions, structure and layout ofthe confined space can result in air qualitydifferences within the space, which areunaffected by ventilation. There may also beareas with increased susceptibility to engulfmentby free-flowing solids or liquids. Whattemperature, air humidity and visibility is likely?In identifying hazards and assessing risks, factorsto be considered should include the following: ContentsIf the space is not empty, what substances arepresent and what are their associated hazards?Can gases be released from the contents bybiological or chemical processes; for example,methane or hydrogen s

'confined space' for the purposes of this Code of Practice. The space must be substantially enclosed. There mu stb e arisk of t lea on haz rd of thetype, list d i ndefini io above, occurring within the space. Th erisk of siou injury fr m th hazard m ust be creat ed y virt of the enclosed nature f the space.