CONFINED SPACE TRAINING FOR AUTHORISED ENTRANT (AE) & STAND-BY PERSON (SP)

Many lives have been lost in 'confined spaces' throughout the world caused by poisonous gas related accidents. Most of the victims were either overcome by toxic fumes or die of gas explosions. Almost all of the deaths were caused when working in 'confined space' or through the explosion of flammable gases, which could have been prevented or avoided.

DEFINITION OF CONFINED SPACE

(Department of Workers Safety & Health - JKKP(1) 04/98)
A space, which:

• Is not intended as a regular work place i.e. continuous employee occupancy.
• Has restricted means of entry or exit
• Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter & perform assigned work and
• Is at atmospheric pressure during occupancy

CHARACTERISTICS OF CONFINED SPACE

• contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere.
• contains material (solid or fluid substance) that has potential for engulfing an entrant.
• has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor, which slopes downwards and tapers to a smaller cross section or
• contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazards, e.g. rotors

CONFINED SPACES

Some examples of confined spaces are sewers, manholes, chambers, wet and dry wells, sewage and sludge tanks, septic tanks, tanker barrels, air filter houses, chemical storage tanks, tidal storage tanks, underground tanks and reservoirs. Audits and tunnels, pipelines, bore-holes, reaction surge vessels, boilers, road tankers and the like.
Nearly all deaths involved in confined spaces are due to:

• suffocation due to lack of oxygen
• poisoning caused by inhalation of toxic gases
• injuries caused by an explosion due to ignition of flammable gases

CAUSES OF DEATH IN CONFINED SPACES

• Ignorance and inability to recognize confined space when they see one. Unaware that the space is dangerous.
• Trust own senses and not realizing that a space, which looks safe is not safe. Most hazardous atmosphere is not visible to the human eyes. One cannot see, taste or smell most toxic or deadly atmosphere.
• Underestimate the danger. One thinks they can get in and out before a hazard affects them. One does not realize how quickly one can be overcome by a deadly atmosphere.
• Do not stay on guard. One forgets that a hazard may develop after one has entered a confined space.
• Try to rescue other people. It is only human nature to offer assistance to another human being in trouble. But, the sad fact is that the untrained and ignorant rescuer dies along with the trapped victim they attempt to save.

Only trained personnel in confined space safety procedures supplied with the appropriate safety equipment can be allowed to enter a sewer or confined space.

CONFINED SPACE TRAINING

To provide practical safety training to personnel whose job involved entering and working in a sewer or confined space.

CONFINED SPACE TRAINING OBJECTIVES

• State the danger of working in sewer or confined space.
• State the General Precautions to be observed when entering and working in a confined space.
• Proper usage of pieces or equipment such as safety harness, winch, tripod, lifeline, barriers and telecommunication tools.
• Escape safely from a sewer or confined space with the use of a self-rescue breaching apparatus.
• Operate a gas detector and know the emergency procedures to be followed if the detector alarms (Authorized Gas Tester III)

COURSE DURATION & TRAINING METHODOLOGY

This is a 2-day (16 hours) course and the training program includes lectures as well as indoor and outdoor practical sessions. At the end of the course the participant will be given a written examination. On passing this examination, they will be awarded a Certificate of Competence, which is valid for 2 years. The Certificate can be renewed by attending a one day (8 hours) refresher course and passing the written examination. Please customise your confine space session with our expert trainers to help with different levels of participants or foreigners. (Please call 03-89967514 for more information)

SEWER CONTRACTORS/CONSULTANTS

Personnel involved in the maintenance of sewerage systems is compulsory to register with the National Water Services Commission, Ministry of Energy, Green Technology & Water before enrolling for the confined space course and training.

TRAINING MODULES

• Legislation On Confined Space Examination
• Definition Of A Confined Space
• Entry Into Manholes
• Permit-To-Work
• Equipment Required For Entry Into Confined Space
• Theory Of Gas Detection
• Breathing Apparatus
• Practical & Simulation
• Written Examination

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

All personnel involved with entering and working in sewer and confined spaces. Participants must be physically fit and free from any of the medical conditions/impairments listed in paragraph 10.2 of the Department of Safety and Health (DOSH) Guidelines for Safe Working in a Confined Space (JKKP:GP (1) 04/98).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The training is organized and conducted by trainers engaged by Indah Water Konsortium at our Indah Water Training Centre (IWTC), Bukit Jalil with accreditation by National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

For more information, please contact: