PAINTING IN CONFINED SPACES

BY : KOMARUL FAUSIYAH

Introduction

• Most of the paints, solvents and thinners are volatile and extremely flammable. If its vapors are mixed with air in the right proportion, fire and explosion may result when ignited. Therefore, safety precautions must be observed when paints are being applied within a confined space, such in a tank or compartment. The following Safety Rules must be strictly observed whenever painting work is carried out within a confined space :

Safety Rules …

• No welding, cutting or other hot work should be performed in a confined space or other side of deck or walls when spray painting in progress.

• Excessive paints should not be stored other than requirement for that shift. Paints should be placed on a metal tray provided with 6” stands. The allowance of 6” above is to prevent it from catching fire from operation of welding/cutting that may pierce through the deck underneath.

• All unused and unfinished paints, solvents and thinners must be covered tightly with its lids. This is to prevent evaporation of solvent as well as the drying up of the top layer of paint

Safety Rules …

• Do not mix paint inside the confined space and after completion of painting work, all containers of paint must be taken out from the compartments. Do not store paint, solvent and thinner in the confined space.

• Rags and other materials that have been soaked in paint, solvent and thinner shall be kept in a covered metal container.

• When spray painting is in progress a “NO HOT WORK” and a “NO SMOKING” sign should be displayed at the entrance of the confined space.

• No matches, lighted cigarettes or cigarette lighters shall be taken into the area where painting is being done.

• All electric cables for tools, equipment and lights shall be inspected to ensure that the insulation is in excellent condition and free from cracks.

Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work in Confined Spaces

• Performance of welding and gas cutting in or opposite confined spaces may lead to an unintentional or accidental accumulation of inflammable gases, oxygen deficiency, fires and explosions. These dangers can be substantially reduced if the various steps underlined below are adhered to. Please remember that “SAFETY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY EMPLOYEE”

Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work in Confined Spaces

1. General Cleaning

Welding, cutting and other hot work are spark or fire producing operations. Therefore it is essential that inflammable or combustible substances, e.g. oil, grease, paper cups, rags, paint, wood, and canvas are removed from the immediate vicinity of hot work activity. Rubber hoses and cables which are not in use should be moved away from immediate area of hot work.

Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work in Confined Spaces

2. Forced Ventilation.

Forced ventilation is provided by means of blowers, air lines, ventilators and exhaust fans. Thorough ventilation will remove any accumulation of gases and renew the oxygen supply in the atmosphere. All vent fans should be safely constructed with the blade guarded from the intake and discharge sides. Oxygen should never be used for ventilation purposes, comfort cooling, blowing dust or dirt from clothing or for cleaning the work area.

Testing of the Atmosphere within Confined Spaces.

1. Testing of atmosphere within confined spaces will be carried out by the Safety Department daily before the normal shift commences work. During this time or any other time when testing is done, a sign “NO HOT WORK’ will be displayed at the entrance to confined spaces under test or not yet tested. This means that no one is allowed to enter these compartments and no hot work can be performed therein until the sign is removed. This testing by the Safety Department is done using a combustible gas detector that will indicate the percentage of any combustible gas and oxygen simultaneously within the atmosphere of a confined space.

Testing of the Atmosphere within Confined Spaces.

2. If testing shows significant deviation from normal, the space shall not be entered and no hot work can commence in the immediate vicinity until the space has been thoroughly ventilated and cleared and subsequent re-tests show a significant reduction in the concentration within the safe limits. If at any time an employee working in a confined space suspect that the atmospheric conditioned have changed, work shall be stopped immediately and the Safety Department shall conduct a re-test.

Testing of the Atmosphere within Confined Spaces.

3. No man or group of men shall re-enter a suspect confined space until the atmosphere within the space has been tested and the atmospheric condition within the space has been found to be safe.

4. No welding, cutting or other hot work should be performed in a confined space where spray painting is in process. If painting has recently been done, the compartment shall be thoroughly ventilated and a gas test made prior to any hot work. The gas test should be conducted with the ventilating equipment shut off at least 10 minutes.

Testing of the Atmosphere within Confined Spaces.

5. Do not burn through a deck or bulkhead in to a confined space prior to test the confined space for combustible substances and inflammable gas. A fire watchman should be posted if there is any chance of uncontrolled combustion.

6. Do not weld on a deck or bulkhead opposite a confined space prior to test the confined spaces for combustible substances and inflammable gas

Other Precautions & Requirements

Switch off the power to the welding machine and remove the electrode from the holder.

Turn off torch valves of the gas-cutting unit and shut off the gas supply and remove the torch and hose from the confined space.

The Maintenance Department shall periodically inspect all equipment relating to welding/cutting processes at least once a week. All equipment that requires repair should be removed from the job site and turned over to the Maintenance Shop for repair

Use standard hose connectors to join up individual length of hose. Do not attempt to repair leakage of hose with insulating tapes, wires or clips.

Other Precautions & Requirements

Hoses should be rolled as a reel when shifting from one work area to another and must not be pulled or dragged. Avoid placing heavy object on the hoses, or running it over sharp edges and hot surfaces.

Any manholes or other openings which are left unattended should be protected with iron grills or other suitable cover or barricades. In the case of barricades, a flasher or lantern shall be placed at night if there is danger of personnel stepping into the opening due to limited vision.

Other Precautions & Requirements

Each supervisor will ensure that there is an adequate number of fire extinguishers in all work areas and when deemed necessary. A fire watchman should be assigned.

Anyone who has cause to use a fire extinguisher shall immediately thereafter inform his supervisor who shall direct his subordinates to return the used extinguisher to the maintenance shop and obtain a replacement from the warehouse.

The supervisor shall make a thorough investigation of the cause of the fire and take necessary steps to eliminate the cause. The supervisor will complete the appropriate fire investigation report and forward a copy to the Safety Department.

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION

SAFETY IS START FROM OURSELVES