Atmosphere
A safe atmosphere must be ensured, so far as is reasonably practicable, during work in a confined space. A safe atmosphere in a confined space is one that:
- has a safe oxygen level
- i s free of airborne contaminants or any airborne contaminants are in concentrations below their allowable exposure standard (if any)
- any flammable gas or vapour in the atmosphere is at concentrations below 5% of its LEL.
A safe atmosphere can be achieved within the confined space using methods such as cleaning, purging and ventilation.
PURGING
Purging is done using an inert gas, such as nitrogen, to clear flammable gases or vapours before work in the confined space begins.
After purging, the confined space should be adequately ventilated with sufficient fresh air to ensure that the inert gas is removed. Purging should be done in a way that ensures any contaminants removed from the confined space are expelled to a location where they present no further risk. Atmospheric testing should be carried out before entry to check that the ventilation has been effective.
When flammable contaminants are to be purged, purging and ventilation equipment designed for use in hazardous areas must be used. A hazardous area is an area in which an explosive atmosphere is present, or may be expected to be present, in quantities that may require special precautions for the construction, installation and use of potential ignition sources.
The WHS Regulations prohibit pure oxygen or gas mixtures with oxygen in concentration greater than 21% by volume being used for purging or ventilating a confined space because of the risk of increased flammability.
The space must be purged where a risk assessment identifies the potential for the confined space to contain an unacceptable level of contaminants.
VENTILATION
Ventilation of a confined space with fresh air, by natural, forced or mechanical means, may be necessary to establish and maintain a safe atmosphere and temperature for as long as anyone is in the confined space.
If the confined space has sufficient openings then natural ventilation may be adequate, but in most cases mechanical ventilation is likely to be needed.
Consideration should also be given to where the fresh air is drawn from and where the exhaust air is finally vented to, so that the fresh air is not contaminated either by exhaust air or by other pollutants, and the exhaust air does not cause other risks.
Mechanical ventilation may be either local exhaust ventilation (LEV) or dilution ventilation. LEV is effective where the source of contaminant generation is localised, the extraction point can be located close to the source and adequate make-up air is available (for example, capture or extraction of welding fume).
Where dilution ventilation is used, air needs to be introduced in a way that will ensure effective circulation throughout the confined space, taking account of the configuration of the space, the position of the openings and the properties of the contaminants.
During operations likely to generate contaminants, mechanical ventilation equipment may not be adequate or sufficiently reliable to maintain contaminants at acceptable levels or to ensure a safe oxygen level. Where mechanical ventilation equipment is likely to be necessary to maintain acceptable contaminant levels in a confined space, the equipment should:
- be monitored to ensure continuous operation while the confined space is occupied
- have the controls (including any remote power supply) clearly identified, tagged and protected to guard against unauthorised interference.
Do you need competency based training in gas detection:
What about gas monitors?