Health and Safety
Executive
OCM Confined spaces
Offshore
COSHH Control approach 4
essentials Special advice
This information will help offshore What this sheet covers
dutyholders (owners, operators and This sheet describes issues to cover in method statements for safe
contractors) to protect workers’ health. work in confined spaces.
It is aimed at staff whose responsibilities Action
include the management of risk of confined 3 Involve the offshore medic and
space entry. It is also useful for safety emergency response team,
advisors, occupational health specialists, first aiders and employees in
trade union and employee safety emergency planning.
representatives. 3 If you are in doubt, get help
from an expert. Ask your trade
Following the guidance is not compulsory association, trade union or log
and you are free to take other action. But onto [Link]/ for a list of
if you do follow this guidance you will consultants.
normally be doing enough to comply with
the law. Health and safety inspectors seek Hazards
to secure compliance with the law and may 3 A confined space can be any
refer to this guidance as illustrating good space of an enclosed nature, where there is a risk of death or serious
practice. injury. This could be from hazardous substances, or from lack of
oxygen.
If you need a service provider (eg 3 Less obvious confined spaces include open-topped chambers,
consultant), OCM sheets describe what they ductwork and poorly-ventilated rooms.
should deliver. 3 Some places can become confined spaces because of the work
carried out in them, or by poisonous gases such as hydrogen sulphide
You may need help from a health and seeping in.
safety expert, whose report should cover 3 Natural processes such as rusting or fermentation can cause oxygen
the points in this sheet. depletion or gases that displace oxygen from the enclosed space.
Offshore installations are not specifically Areas
covered by the Confined Spaces 3 Restrict access to authorised personnel only.
Regulations 1997. However the guidance in 3 If possible avoid entry to undertake the task
the Approved Code of Practice L101 can be 3 If entry is unavoidable ensure there is a safe system of work.
used as a source of good practice. 3 Ensure that there are emergency arrangements in place before work
starts.
Procedures
Safe system of work
3 Ensure that people developing the safe system of work have the
correct competency.
3 Identify the precautions that will reduce the risk. A permit-to-work is
needed.
Confined spaces OCM1 Special advice
3 Ensure that the workers selected are competent and physically able to Further information
do the task. Safe work in confined spaces
3 Isolate mechanical and electrical equipment that could cause harm if Leaflet INDG258 HSE Books
turned on. 1997 (priced packs of 20
3 Ensure access routes and hatches are large enough and rescue ISBN 978 0 7176 1442 4)
harnesses are usable. [Link]/pubns/
3 Ventilate the area before entry and ensure good general ventilation [Link]
during work activities, if this is not possible provide mechanical
Safe work in confined spaces.
ventilation.
Confined Spaces Regulations
Caution: Never use fuelled engines in confined spaces. Carbon monoxide 1997. Approved Code of
is very dangerous. Practice, Regulations and
guidance L101 HSE Books
3 Test the air before entry, and monitor the air during the procedure. 2009
3 Have an authorised tester perform the gas test. ISBN 978 0 7176 6233 3
3 If required wear breathing apparatus, workers should check that it is [Link]/pubns/books/
working properly. [Link]
Note: the Confined Spaces
Caution: Never try to ‘sweeten’ the air with oxygen. This increases the fire
Regulations do not apply
or explosion risk.
offshore but L101 is a source of
good practice
3 Ensure alarms are in place and that they were audible when last tested.
3 Use non-sparking tools or flameproof lighting for the task. Useful links
3 Ensure that people inside the space can communicate with those Occupational Safety and Health
outside. Consultants Register
3 Where multiple entry occurs, ensure workers are checked in and out. [Link]/
Further information
Emergency procedures
You can find the full Offshore
3 When things go wrong, you need effective arrangements for rapid COSHH essentials series at
rescue of those in danger.
[Link]/coshh/[Link]
3 A specific plan is needed for an identified confined space, the risks,
the number of people at work, and the likely nature of any emergency
rescue.
3 Critical requirements include defining:
n means for communication between workers and rescuers;
n the rescuers’ capabilities and training;
n the rescue and resuscitation equipment needs; and
n any emergency shut-down of plant or equipment
3 Train everyone involved. Hold practices and modify your procedures to
improve the performance.
This guidance was developed by representatives from the UK
offshore oil and gas industry and trade unions, with HSE.
© Crown copyright 2011 Published by the Health and Safety Executive 03/11