Confined Space Entry
How does Confined space entry relate to Cooling Equipment Hygiene?
Cooling Equipment systems that may be considered a confined space include:
Cooling towers – Air handling units – Cool Store Penthouse units – Alcove units – Dry coolers, and associated pits and tanks.
If you need to enter any Cooling Equipment, it is critical to confirm if it deemed a confined space or a restricted access.
Ask: To disinfect and clean the cooling equipment, does a person needs to enter it?
Always use confined space entry trained personnel to enter any space, whether deemed confined, restricted, or not classified.
Trained people know how to access a space safely – they understand the associated risks and control measures – so don’t take the risk on using non trained people!
To go past this point you require CSE training. Entry – Spotter – Rescue
Our personnel are first aide trained level 2 to carry out confined space entry spotter and rescue
What training do you require to enter a confined space in Australia.
Basic Definition:
A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed space that is not designed or intended to be occupied by a person and is or likely to be a risk to the health and safety to the entrant, this can be in the form of low/high oxygen levels, gases, vapours, airborne contaminants, or engulfment.
With this in mind,, it is not hard to see why many cooling equipment internal areas are deemed to be confined spaces or restricted access. From difficult ingress/egress, hazardous chemicals used in the water treatment process, potential bacteria, and the risk of engulfment in the cooling water basin or pit – cooling towers tick a lot of the confined space boxes.
Work Permit – JSEA – CSE – Heights can all be required to enter a Confined space
CSE gas testing and ongoing monitoring
Isolations are critical for entry into a confined space
Engulfment – moving equipment
Training required for confined space entry process.
- Enter and Work in Confined Spaces – Nationally Recognised Units of Competency – RIIWHS202E, MSMPER200, MSMPER205
- Permit issuer for confined spaces – Nationally Recognised Units of Competency – MSMWHS217, MSMWHS201, MSMPER300
- Rescue from confined spaces – Nationally Recognised Units of Competency – PUASAR025, PUASAR022
- Operate Breathing Apparatus in a confined space – Nationally Recognised Units of Competency – MSMWHS216, PUAFIR207, PUAFIR210
There is a lot to consider when deciding how to manage a confined space or restricted access entry.
From writing rescue plans, providing rescue teams, issuing work permits, atmospheric testing to enter the confined space entry/spotting, we can safely assist in all forms of confined space work.
What are we generally accessing inside cooling equipment – A confined space?
Heat transfer medium such as coils, fill pack, drift eliminators, water distribution systems, drip trays, fans, motors, belts, pulleys, ducting, screens, dampeners, isolators, and pads.
All these items are critical for the correct cooling operation and the operational safety of the unit. Inspection, maintenance, Superior Cleaning, bacterial and mould control all occurs inside a unit, not outside.
Other considerations for confined space entry management.
- Confined space rescue planning
Before anybody enters a confined space there needs to be a plan in place to rescue them in an emergency.
All too often we find that this rescue plan is to call ‘000’, however in an emergency this is not a viable option. By the time help arrives it is likely far too late.
Coolclean has service technicians trained to develop a rescue plan, this plan will be tailored to your cooling tower, so that it can be actioned in an emergency.
- Confined Space rescue
Once you have a plan in place, now we need someone to action the plan. Even the best made plans are worthless, without the personnel and equipment in place.
Coolclean has a range of rescue equipment, from tripods, pulleys, rope, and BA sets, all of which is regularly inspected and tagged.
Coolclean also has service technicians trained in confined space rescue, so that we have everything required to complete a rescue.
- Confined space entry
Now that we have a rescue plan in place, we can finally get to a confined space entry.
All Coolclean’ s service technicians are trained and qualified in confined space entry, confined space spotting/ stand-by, Atmospheric testing and permit issuing.
Confined space entry V Restricted access
What is the difference?
Restricted access does not technically require rescue planning, setting up rescue equipment, and initiating emergency response.
It does not require gas testing and technically having a spotter or rescue person.
Coolclean follow the basic steps of the confined space entry procedure for restricted access. Permit, standby person, entrant, and an emergency plan