Corsafety.ca personnel will not be allowed to enter a permit confined space, unless the following procedures are adhered to:
The confined space must be properly tested for acceptable ranges of oxygen content, flammable atmosphere, and toxic concentrations present, using a calibrated, direct-reading, gas-monitoring instrument, operated by a trained supervisor. (There can be no longer than a 2hr time-gap between tests performed and any space entry.) Monitoring results will be reviewed with all entrants.
- The permit space shall be identified by appropriate signs, and the external area barricaded to ensure that no unauthorized persons, equipment, or vehicles present a danger to authorized entrants.
- A safe means of entry and exit shall be available to all workers required to work in a confined space and rescue personnel attending to the workers. Examples of methods to ensure safety include secured steps, temporary platforms and handrails may be suitable in certain circumstances, and ensuring the area is free and workers protected from traffic hazards in the vicinity of the confined space.
- No smoking or flammable, combustible materials are allowed within this barricaded area. A properly inspected, charged ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher is required to be outside the permit space, ready to use. No welding gas tanks are allowed inside the permit space, and all hoses, regulators, leads, electrode holders or other welding/cutting equipment will be inspected prior to entry into the permit space. Equipment found to be defective will not be allowed for use.
- Communication methods will be by voice/visual contact, or 2-way radios that are required to be intrinsically-safe in design.
- Properly inspected, approved entry/exit means will be secured into position, following all established safe ladder-use guidelines.
- Ventilation equipment will be activated and provide continuous forced air from clean air sources, so that proper air exchange for the enclosed space is maintained at all times for permit space occupancy.
- Approved, properly-rated (12V, explosion-proof) light sources, or intrinsically-safe flashlights will be provided for safe illumination while working inside a permit space.
- Appropriately selected personal protective equipment will be donned prior to vessel entry, and worn at all times while inside the permit space. All PPE shall be inspected by a competent individual before use. Defective equipment shall not be used, but instead discarded, and replaced. (Examples are hard hats, splash/impact goggles, face-shields, safety glasses, respirators, protective clothing, steel-toed shoes, ear plugs, & gloves.)
- After the space has been tested and declared safe for entry, the entry permit shall be completed, conditions explained to all authorized personnel, signed by all authorized personnel, and posted at a conspicuous location on the vessel.
- The attendant shall be assigned to their appropriate duties; the entrants may then enter inside the confined space, and the entry supervisor accountable for maintaining safe operations.
- Permits will be cancelled upon completion of work, or for emergency evacuation due to dangers occurring inside or outside the space that could directly affect the life or health of an entrant.
- If an emergency occurs and evacuation of the space is required, the space will be re-evaluated to determine the cause, extent, and nature of the hazard encountered. The hazard will be eliminated before entry is again permitted, after inspection and testing is satisfactory.