6.

Confined Spaces

6.1 Purpose

This chapter describes minimum site safety requirements for personnel performing
work inside confined spaces.

6.2 References

Saudi Aramco (SA) General Instructions (GIs):

GI 2.100, Work Permit System

GI 2.709, Gas Testing With Portable Gas Monitors

GI 6.008, Restriction of Portable Electrical/Electronic Devices

GI 6.012, Isolation, Lockout and Use of Hold Tags

GI 430.001, Waste Management

GI 1780.001, Atmosphere Supplying Respirators

SA Engineering Standards (SAESs)

SAES-B-068, Electrical Area Classification

SAES-P-123, Lighting

SA Safety Handbook, Minimum Safety Rules

6.3 General Requirements

6.3.1 Confined space entry within SA facilities, SA project sites, and at project
support facilities covered under SA Land Use Permits, including laydown
yards shall be in accordance with this chapter and local instructions.

6.3.2 A confined space entry permit shall be issued in accordance with GI 2.100
prior to entry into confined spaces. Other permits may be required (e.g.,
hot work permit or cold work permit), depending on the type of work to be
conducted within the confined space.

6.3.3 For confined space entry performed only by personnel from a SA

proponent department/organization (e.g., plant operations), the confined
space entry permit shall be issued to a SA-certified work permit receiver
from the proponent department/organization.

6.3.4 During the construction phase of grassroots construction projects and

before a facility, or portion thereof, is certified as mechanically complete,

CSM I-6 Confined Spaces December 2016 Page 1 of 17

 the contractor shall implement equivalent confined space entry permit
procedures to ensure safe execution of construction activities. The
confined space entry permit procedures shall be subject to
approval by the SA proponent organization (SAPO).

6.3.5 Every job that requires a confined space entry shall have a designated
confined space entry supervisor (CSES). See Section 6.4.1 for CSES
responsibilities.

6.3.6 A confined space entry plan shall be developed by the SAPO or the
contractor (e.g., for a grassroots construction project) prior to entry into a
confined space (see Section 6.5 for confined space entry plan
requirements).

6.3.7 A standby man shall be assigned by the CSES at each designated entry
point and shall continuously monitor the confined space entry while
personnel are inside the confined space. In certain situations (e.g., multiple
entry/exit points) more than one confined space standby man is required.
See Section 6.4.2 for standby man responsibilities.

6.3.8 Standby men shall be provided with adequate means of communication

(e.g., two-way radio) to ensure continuous communication with entrants
and with the proper personnel (e.g., CSES, rescue team) in event of an
emergency.

6.3.9 At least one fire extinguisher (30 lb) shall be provided near each
designated confined space entry point if the space is within process
equipment (e.g., vessel, column, tank) or where combustible or flammable
material may be present (including residue). Carbon dioxide (CO2) type
fire extinguishers shall not be used inside enclosed confined spaces.

6.3.10 A confined space entry checklist (such as the sample checklist at the end of
this chapter) may be used by the CSES, etc., to help ensure safety
requirements are met.

6.3.11 Confined space standby men and entrants shall be physically fit.

6.3.12 Each designated confined space entry point shall be evaluated to ensure
entrants can safely enter and exit the confined space. Designated entry
points shall not be blocked or obstructed with equipment while entrants are
inside the space (e.g., air cooling/ventilation hoses blocking an entry
point).

6.3.13 The completed work permit(s) (e.g., confined space entry, hot work),
confined space warning signs and barricades shall be posted outside the
confined space to notify personnel that a confined space entry is in
progress and to prohibit entry by unauthorized personnel.

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 6.3.14 Confined space warning signs shall comply with SAES-B-067 and read in
Arabic and English as follows:
Arabic text: English text:
Danger Confined Space
No Unauthorized Entry

6.3.15 When the potential exists for persons or objects to fall into a confined
space, additional warning signs and/or barricades shall be provided.

6.3.16 Prior to entry, chemical, and physical hazards shall be eliminated or

controlled by one or more of the following methods: equipment isolation
(e.g., lockout/tagout), draining, water washing, steam cleaning, purging,
etc. See Sections 6.6, 6.8, and 6.9 for further information.

6.3.17 Mechanical ventilation (e.g., air movers) shall be used to ensure removal of
all hazardous airborne contaminants in confined spaces where a hazardous
atmosphere exists or could develop during the course of planned work. See
Section 6.8 for further information regarding ventilation.

6.3.18 Atmospheric gas testing shall be in accordance with GI 2.709 and Section
6.7.

6.3.19 The proper personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be provided to

personnel entering a confined space and to each standby man. PPE shall be
continuously used during the confined space entry. See Chapter I-3,
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

6.3.20 Only properly trained and authorized personnel shall enter a confined
space. Verification of training shall be made available upon request by the
SAPO.

6.3.21 Personnel entering/exiting a confined space shall sign a log in/out sheet.
See the sample log sheet at the end of this chapter.

6.3.22 Ignition sources shall be eliminated or controlled within a confined space.

If ignition sources are present (e.g., sparks or open flames), a hot work
permit shall be issued and periodic gas tests, or continual gas monitoring,
as applicable, shall be performed (see section 6.7 for gas testing
requirements).

6.3.23 Electrical equipment, including lighting, used in an electrically classified

area (see SAES-B-
Factory Mutual (FM) approved or equivalent. Electrical equipment
(including radios) shall be in accordance with the electrical classification
of the confined space and as per the requirements of GI 6.008 and SAES-
B-068.

6.3.24 Residual current devices (RCDs), including ground fault circuit

interrupters (GFCIs) and earth leak current breakers (ELCBs), shall be

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 utilized on all electrical-powered equipment (including portable lighting)
used inside a confined space regardless of the electrical classification of the
space.

6.3.25 Lighting shall be provided as needed to safely enter, exit, and work inside
a confined space. Lighting shall be on a separate electrical circuit from
other electrical equipment and tools used in the confined space.

6.3.26 If the confined space is within process equipment (e.g., vessel, column,
tank) or where combustible or flammable material may be present
(including residue), portable lighting shall be rated for an electrical
classification not less than Class I, Zone 2, and shall not be used in the
confined space without a hot work permit per GI 2.100, except explosion-
proof flashlights. See Chapter, I-11, Hand Tools and Power Tools, for
further information on portable lighting.

6.3.27 When electrical power cords are used inside a confined space, protection
shall be provided near sharp edges and through entry points to prevent
damage to the power cords.

6.3.28 Compressed gas cylinders shall not be placed in a confined space.

6.3.29 Internal combustion engines shall not be positioned inside a confined space
or at a location that could allow exhaust to enter the space. This type of
equipment shall be positioned downwind from confined space entry/exit
points and air mover intakes.

6.3.30 To facilitate nonentry rescue, retrieval systems or methods shall be used

whenever an entrant enters an enclosed confined space that requires
vertical entry (e.g., inside a vessel, column, tank, valve box, sump pit, lift
station), unless the retrieval equipment would increase the overall risk of
entry or would not contribute to the rescue of the entrant.

Note: Confined space entries requiring nonentry rescue shall not be

performed after January 1, 2018, unless the requirements of Sections
6.3.30 to 6.3.32 are complied with.

6.3.31 A retrieval system is the equipment (including a retrieval line, full-body

harness, and a lifting device) used for nonentry rescue of persons from
vertical confined spaces (See Figure 6.1). Retrieval systems shall meet the
following requirements:

Each entrant shall wear a full-body harness, with a retrieval line

attached at the center of the entrants back near shoulder level or above

The other end of the retrieval line shall be attached to a mechanical

device (e.g., winch attached to a tripod) so that rescue can begin as
soon as the confined space standby man becomes aware that rescue is
necessary.

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 6.3.32 The retrieval system shall be tested at the beginning of the entry into the
vertical confined space to ensure that the system is properly setup and
functioning. If the system does not work all entry activities must stop and
all entrants must exit the space until the retrieval system is operational.

Figure 6.1 Example of a retrieval system used for nonentry rescues

from vertical confined spaces.

6.3.33 Fall protection (e.g., full-body harness/lanyard, scaffolding) shall be used

if personnel could fall more than 1.8 m (6 ft) when working inside the
confined space. See Chapters II-2, Scaffolding, and II-5, Fall Protection.

6.3.34 Entrants to a process-related confined space or where movement is

inhibited or difficult (e.g., inside a vessel, column, tank) shall be given
breaks as needed and allowed to rest outside in an open area. The CSES
shall arrange these breaks accordingly. See Chapter I-13, Heat Stress.

6.3.35 Flammable/combustible materials shall not be stored inside a confined

space.

6.3.36 Entry into a confined space where naturally occurring radioactive material
(NORM) contamination is known or suspected shall be subject to the
following controls:
An enclosed confined space (e.g., vessel, column, tank) shall be
mechanically ventilated for a minimum of four hours prior to entry.

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 Personnel and equipment exiting the confined space shall be subject to
a NORM contamination survey.
Personnel or equipment found to be contaminated with NORM shall be
segregated and decontaminated. See Chapter I-10, Hazardous
Materials.

6.3.37 Where hydroblasting operations are occurring inside a confined space, low
point drains shall remain open (car sealed) to eliminate water
accumulation.

6.3.38 Rescue equipment and a rescue team shall be available in the event of an
emergency requiring evacuation of the confined space.

6.3.39 In the event of a confined space rescue, the confined space atmosphere
shall be considered immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) and
positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or full-face,
positive-pressure type air-line respiratory protection equipment with an
emergency escape cylinder shall be used by all personnel entering the
confined space. See Chapter I-3, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

6.3.40 If the confined space entry activity is suspended, the entry point(s) shall be

6.3.41 When work is complete and the confined space is ready to be returned to
normal service, the confined space shall be inspected to ensure all
equipment and tools have been removed, etc.

6.4 Responsibilities

6.4.1 CSESs (e.g., Supervising Operator, Work Permit Issuer) shall:

A. Review the confined space entry plan that is unique to the specific confined
space.

B. Communicate the confined space entry plan (e.g., specific confined space
hazards, precautions, responsibilities, emergency procedures) to entrants
and standby men.

C. Ensure proper work permits (confined space entry, hot work, etc.) are
issued prior to allowing work to commence.

D. Verify all precautions of the confined space entry plan and applicable work
permits are properly implemented.

E. Designate qualified standby men who are fluent in the language needed to
communicate with the CSES or rescue team.

F. Verify entrants and standby men are properly trained.

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