Posted By Andrew paul Johnson
HI,
Can anyone give me some advice on entering shallow (600mm) chambers for making cable joint connections. I have viewed the HSE web advice note but would be interested to find out if anyone knows of any documentation specifically regarding this operation or more specifically suitable documentation to show safe emergency procedures (if any).

your guidance in this is much appreciated.

Thanks in anticipation

Andrew

Posted By Helen C
Hi there, without viewing your chambers or knowing a great deal about them it is impossible to give a definitive answer.

There is no official documentation specifically for working in shallow chambers (that I know of) other than the National Occupational Standard for Working in Confined Spaces in the Water Industry Occasional Guidance Note.

Their classification, NC1, is defined as...
"Low risk shallow entry with adequate natural or mechanical ventilation, where access is simple and unobstructed and there is no likely risk of flooding e.g. meter pits, valve chambers, booster-pumping stations, PRV chambers."

Typically in these types of entries, a top man is optional (depending upon circumstances), a harness is optional but the following are compulsary; portable gas monitor, first aid kit, means to summon emergency assistance, explosion protected lighting, and then the usual PPE.

The OGN, however is only a guidance note and only aimed at the Water Industry, however, many other organisations I have worked with adopt a similar approach for these low risk shallow chambers.

OGN is freely available on the Water UK Website.

If you need any more help - just drop me a line.

Helen

Posted By Richard Altoft
are these chambers open at the top -- in effect is the worker stood in something 600 deep and bent over to work but mainly in the fresh air from his knees upwards ????????????
If so I doubt that the hazards of a confined space arise as the space must be BOTH enclosed or substantially so and be subject to foreseeable specified hazards such as flooding, lack of breathable air etc.
R

Posted By graeme12345
Andrew this is not a confines space, your risk assessment needs to address,
1. slips / trip / falls around the excavation
2. assess the substances in use
3. any fire / ignition problems
4. is the excavation going to be left open/ fencing off or guarding
5. is it on a site (induction /site rules) or public highway or path (public/traffic/kids about)

these are the significant risks, you do not need to do a lot more

Posted By Andrew paul Johnson
The chambers are 600mm x 600mm x 600mm made from a plastic chamber. The chamber is in place for jointing comms cables and the system is AIR tight. The operative is required to bend down in the pit, with the lid off, and joint cables. They carry gas monitors and work in pairs. The chambers are tested prior to entry. These chambers are position in a site next to a national Motorway (M1).

Posted By mark myles
Andrew,

I believe that you are looking for safety emergency procedures to cover the work.
Do you use a PTW system?
Do you use a Task based risk Assessment?
Do you have an emergency plan?
Are your personnel trained on the dangers of confined spaces?
Do you have a competent standby person?
Do you have people who can perform a safe rescue/first aid

As you have gas detection equipment you have given some hazards consideration. I would suggest that you carry out a Task Based Risk Assessment to identify what controls are required to bring the risks of the activity to ALARP. If you have a risk assessment and you want a second opinion then e-mail it through and I can give my thoughts.