Maritime Occupational Health and Safety Regulations

173 (1) In addition to the requirements set out in section 168, before an employer issues a work permit under section 166 in respect of work that requires entry into a confined space, the employer must

• (a) obtain a written report referred to in subsection 171(3) from a qualified person;

• (b) ensure that any liquid in which a person may drown or any free-flowing solid in which a person may become entrapped has been removed from the confined space;

• (c) ensure that the entry of any liquid, free-flowing solid or hazardous substance into the confined space has been prevented by a secure means of disconnection or the fitting of blank flanges;

• (d) ensure that all electrical equipment and mechanical equipment that presents a hazard to a person entering into, exiting from or performing work in the confined space has been disconnected from its power source and locked out in accordance with the standard referred to in subparagraph 167(e)(ii);

• (e) ensure that the opening for entry into and exit from the confined space is sufficient in size to allow safe passage of a person who is using protection equipment; and

• (f) establish an entry control system.

(2) The written report referred to in subsection 171(3) and any procedures identified in that report must be explained to a person who is about to enter into the confined space and that person must sign a dated copy of the report indicating that they have read the report and that the report and the procedures were explained to them.

(3) If conditions in the confined space or the nature of the work to be performed in the confined space are such that any of paragraphs 171(2)(a) to (c) or (1)(b) to (e) cannot be complied with, the employer must at a minimum ensure that

• (a) a qualified person is

  • (i) in attendance outside the confined space,

  • (ii) in communication with the person inside the confined space, and

  • (iii) provided with a suitable alarm device for summoning assistance;

• (b) each person granted access to the confined space must wear a safety harness that is securely attached to a lifeline that is attached to a secure anchor outside the confined space and is controlled by the qualified person;

• (c) two or more employees, which may include the qualified person, are in the immediate vicinity of the confined space to assist in the event of an accident or other emergency; and

• (d) one of the employees referred to in paragraph (c) is

  • (i) trained in the emergency procedures referred to in paragraph 171(3)(i),

  • (ii) the holder of a first aid certificate, and

  • (iii) provided with the protection equipment referred to in paragraph 171(3)(h) and any emergency equipment required by the procedures established by the employer under paragraph 171(3)(i).

(4) Before a confined space is sealed, the person in charge of the area surrounding the confined space must ascertain that no person is inside the confined space.