Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations

12.2 (1) If 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 limit referred to in subsection 11.23(1), and

  • (ii) does not exceed the limit 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 concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere in the confined space is not less than 18% by volume and not more than 23% by volume, at normal atmospheric pressure, and in any case the partial pressure of oxygen is not less than 135 mm Hg;

• (d) the requirements set out in paragraphs (a) to (c) are maintained during the entire 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 to the extent possible 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 signed written report,

• (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) if 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) if the employer has not established the 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) identify which of the emergency procedures are to be followed if 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 limit or concentration referred to in subsection (1);

• (f) if 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 the protection equipment referred to in subsection (2) to each person granted access to the confined space.

(4) The written report referred to in subsection (2) and any procedures identified in it 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 or she has read it and that the report and the procedures were explained to him or her.

(5) The employee referred to in subsection (4) shall be instructed and trained in the procedures and 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 follow the procedures and use the protection equipment referred to in subsection (2).