Due to the unique hazards
associated with hot work in confined spaces, additional controls
are required. The following include specific requirements for hot work in confined spaces:
The Confined/Enclosed
Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres module should be reviewed
before continuing with this section. Also, the module outlining the
requirements for Hot Work in Enclosed
Spaces should be reviewed before reviewing the module regarding Other
Locations, or these requirements for Confined
Spaces.
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Hot Work Operations in Confined Spaces
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Potential Hazards:
Due to the isolation and difficulty of egress, hot work
operations in confined spaces present additional hazards. These
include:
- Impeded egress from the space under emergency conditions
- Undiscovered worker injury and delay of treatment
Requirements and Example Solutions:
- Provide, if possible, more than one means of access to
the space. [1915.76(b)]
- Keep access to the space clear. [1915.51(c)]
- Make frequent checks to ensure the safety of employees
working alone in a confined space. [1915.94]
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Figure 1: Frequent checks help ensure safe
working conditions.
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Fall Hazards |
Potential Hazards:
Fall hazards are a leading cause of shipyard fatalities.
Shipyard employees are often required to work in dangerous
environments that may include fall hazards. Accidents involving
elevation equipment such as ladders and scaffolds are often serious,
even fatal. Workers also risk falls from open deck edges.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
Guarding of Deck Openings and Edges
- Openings and deck edges must be guarded. [1915.73]
- Flush manholes and other small openings must be guarded after
opening. [1915.73(b)]
- During the installation of guards on large openings and deck
edges, fall protection (harness with lanyard) must be used. [1915.73(d)]
- When floor plates or gratings (e.g. bilges, engine rooms,
pump rooms, machinery spaces) are removed, the openings must
be guarded or planked. [1915.73(f)]
Fall Protection for Scaffold Work
- Guardrails or other appropriate fall protection must be
used when working on scaffolds 5 feet above surfaces. [1915.71(j)]
- During the installation of guards on scaffolds, fall
protection must be used. [1915.73(d)]
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Maritime
Labor/Industry Recommendations |
- SHAC recommends that personal fall protection including
lanyards and harnesses be used and secured during installation
of guardrails.
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Ventilation Requirements
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Potential Hazards:
Confined spaces usually do not have adequate natural ventilation, which may
expose workers to hazardous fumes and gases.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
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Use adequate mechanical ventilation or airline respirators for hot work in
confined spaces. [1915.51(b)]
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Keep access clear of blockage from ventilation equipment. [1915.51(c)]
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If the ventilation equipment blocks access to the space, airline
respirators as well as a stand-by employee must be available. [1915.51(c)(3)]
See the Confined/Enclosed Space Entry section for additional information
regarding
ventilation.
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Figure 1: Local exhaust ventilation
works.
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Fire Prevention Requirements
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Potential Hazards:
Because confined spaces have little natural ventilation,
flammable gases may accumulate to hazardous levels, even when
unoccupied, exposing workers to risk of fire or explosion upon
re-entry.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
Work in confined spaces requires certain restrictions
regarding what equipment can be taken inside and what
equipment can be left inside when unoccupied.
- Torches and hoses must be removed from confined spaces
when not in use (lunch breaks, shift changes, etc.). [1915.503(b)(2)]
- Oxygen and fuel gas cylinders must not be taken into
confined spaces. [1915.55(b)(4)]
- For additional requirements, see the
Fire Protection
chapter.
See the Confined/Enclosed Space Entry section for additional information
regarding
ventilation.
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Figure 1: Removal of torches and hoses.
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PPE Requirements |
Potential Hazards:
Due to the difficulty of providing
adequate ventilation to protect workers, personal protective equipment
requirements, especially
respiratory protection, are extremely restrictive when performing
hot work in confined spaces.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
The
following are specific requirements for PPE during hot work
operations in confined spaces.
- Use airline respirators when access to the space is
blocked. [1915.51(c)(3)]
- Use airline respirators when welding on beryllium-containing base or filler metals. [1915.51(d)(2)(iv)]
- Use PPE in accordance with requirement for hot work in
enclosed spaces if not superseded by the above
requirements. [1915.51(d)]
For more specific information, see PPE
Selection: Hot Work.
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