Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations

12.2 (1) Where a person is about to enter into a confined space, the employer shall appoint a qualified person to verify by tests that

• (a) the concentration of any chemical agent in the confined space

  • (i) to which the person is likely to be exposed does not exceed the value referred to in subsection 11.23(1), and

  • (ii) does not exceed the percentage referred to in section 11.24;

• (b) the concentration of airborne hazardous substances, other than chemical agents, in the confined space is not hazardous to the safety or health of the person;

• (c) the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere in the confined space is not less than 18 per cent by volume and not more than 23 per cent by volume at normal atmospheric pressure and in any case the partial pressure of oxygen is not less than 135 mm Hg;

• (d) the value, level or percentage referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c) can be maintained during the period of proposed occupancy of the confined space by the person;

• (e) any liquid in which a person may drown or any free-flowing solid in which a person may become entrapped has been removed so far as is practicable from the confined space;

• (f) 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;

• (g) all electrical and mechanical equipment that presents a hazard to a person entering into, exiting from or occupying the confined space has been disconnected from its power source and locked out; and

• (h) 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.

(2) The qualified person referred to in subsection (1) shall, in a written report signed by him,

• (a) set out

  • (i) the location of the confined space,

  • (ii) a record of the results of the tests made in accordance with subsection (1), and

  • (iii) an evaluation of the hazards of the confined space;

• (b) where the employer has established procedures to be followed by a person entering into, exiting from or occupying the confined space, identify which of those procedures are to be followed;

• (c) where the employer has not established procedures referred to in paragraph (b), set out the procedures to be followed by a person referred to in that paragraph;

• (d) identify the protection equipment referred to in Part XIII that is to be used by every person granted access to the confined space;

• (e) where the employer has established emergency procedures to be followed in the event of an accident or other emergency in or near the confined space, including immediate evacuation of the confined space when

  • (i) an alarm is activated, or

  • (ii) there is any significant change in the value, level or percentage referred to in subsection (1),

  identify which of the procedures are to be followed;

• (f) where the employer has not established emergency procedures referred to in paragraph (e), set out emergency procedures to be followed, including immediate evacuation of the confined space in the circumstances referred to in that paragraph; and

• (g) specify the protection equipment, emergency equipment and any additional equipment to be used by an employee who undertakes rescue operations in the event of an accident or other emergency.

(3) The employer shall provide to each person granted access to the confined space the protection equipment referred to in subsection (2).

(4) The written report referred to in subsection (2) and any procedures identified therein shall be explained to an employee who is about to enter into the confined space, other than the qualified person referred to in subsection (1), and the employee shall acknowledge by signing a dated copy of the report that he has read the report and that the report and the procedures were explained to him.

(5) The employee referred to in subsection (4) shall be instructed and trained

• (a) in the procedures referred to in subsection (2); and

• (b) in the use of the protection equipment referred to in subsection (2).

(6) Every employee who enters into, exits from or occupies the confined space shall

• (a) follow the procedures referred to in subsection (2); and

• (b) use the protection equipment referred to in subsection (2).