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Posted By Neil Pettitt
Hi,
Could anyone advise me where I can find definitions (preferably contained within legislation)of the different classes of confined spaces which would be encountered in the petrochemical industry.
I have found some classifications used by the water industry such as NC1, NC2, NC3 & NC4 with NC4 being the most hazardous class.
I have heard references to Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 confined spaces and also Low, Medium and High risk confined spaces but cannot find a definition of these classes or any information that might suggest that the terminology is interchangeable.
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards Neil.
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Posted By Bryan Goldsmith 16052
Niel,
I am not aware of any regulatory classifications of Confined Spaces although the regulations specify Hazards where present that may lead to a place being designated a confined. The water industry does have some guidance on classification of confined spaces.
Water UK occasional Guidance note gives guidance on the classification and management of confined space entries - NC1 - NC4 depending upon the type of entry required and how far from point of entry you going to. The document has probably been revised since the 2005 edition I had but there a number of city and guilds courses covering them which I assume any reputable confined space training organisation will be delivering eg units 820 - 825. I am not familiar with any specifics of the petro chemical industry but I would assume they are of a similar nature plus fire and explosion risk being a little higher.
regards
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Posted By peter gotch 1
Neil
I posted link to the Water UK guidance earlier this week in response to posting by Bill Dark.
Historically, the water industry defined Classes 1-3 with guidelines which off the top of my head date back to about 1978. The current guidance is in effect a refinement of the previous regime more clearly recognising that specific local conditions could lead you to recognise that you need to classify at a higher level than the basic circumstances would suggest.
The Water UK guidance was certainly NOT intended to apply to other sectors NOR to be adopted by other sectors, though some of the principles could be applied to any confined spaces risks.
There may be some more specifically relevant guidance from your own industry's industry association or e.g. the offshore Step Change initiative. [Whether onshore or offshore you can sign up to Step Change for free, albeit with some restrictions on what you can access]
Good luck, Peter
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Posted By Nick Roarty
Neil,
Definitions can be found in L101 Safe Work in Confined Spaces, although this is not specific to petrochem
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Posted By SteveD-M
There are four risk assessment categories for confined spaces classified within the City and Guilds scheme which are labelled NC1 (least risk) to NC4 (most risk):
NC1 category:
confined spaces involving low risk shallow entry with adequate natural or mechanical ventilation. Access is simple and unobstructed and there is no likely risk of flooding.
NC2 category:
confined spaces involving vertical direct unobstructed access and continuous attachment to a man riding a hoist or other similar mechanical rescue device.
NC3 category :
confined spaces involve not possible to have operatives permanently attached to safety line and usually a team entry where work is carried out away from the access point.
NC4 category:
confined spaces involve non standard entries involving complex operations and additional risks which require specific controls and emergency arrangements.
I think this may answer the original post...
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Posted By Neil Pettitt
Thanks everyone.
Regards, Neil.
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