AGT Opito Level 1 – Module 1

Welcome to the first module of Authorised Gas Tester level 1.

We start each module by first laying out the requirements of Opito for this section of the training programme. For module 1 these are as follows:

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First of all – what is a confined space? – (Opito 1.1.1)

Over the years this question has confused many including some of the worlds largest organisations, and still today we are often asked  what is and what isn’t a confined space.

The truth is – it doesn’t really matter to a gas tester whether they are looking at a confined space or not, the basic principles of gas testing are exactly the same. However, the regulations relating to a confined spaces can impact on what is required of you. So if you are going to enter a confined space, it is essential that you:

1. recognise it as being is one, then
2. know which regulations apply and
3. finally and most importantly, know how to do so safely.

So what is a confined space?

Well many industries define a confined space as:

“a place with limited openings for entry and exit; unfavourable natural ventilation; not designed for continuous worker occupation.”

Now this works in general terms, but it’s still open to a lot of different interpretations. Just ask your workmates what is a confined space is and see what answers you get!

So the Confined Spaces Regulations in the UK have recently been clarified and the definition at the time of writing this article is as follows:

‘any place including any chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, sewer, flue, well or similar space in which by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable specified risk’.

So under these regulations a “confined space” as defined within the regulations MUST have BOTH of the following identifying features:

• It must be a space which is substantially (though not always entirely) enclosed; and
• one or more of the specified risks must be present or reasonably foreseeable.

Specified Risks:

So what is meant by a Specified Risk? Well simply put – one of the following risks must also be present:

1. Serious injury to any person at work arising from a fire of explosion
2. loss of consciousness of any person at work arising from a increase in body   temperature
3. loss of consciousness or asphyxiation of any person at work arising from gas, vapour or lack of oxygen
4. The drowning of any person at work arising from an increase in the level of a liquid; or
5. The asphyxiation of any person at work arising from a free flowing solid or inability to reach a respirable environment due to entrapment by a free flowing solid.

Although this may appear complicated, it does clarify the type of locations where the full force of the regulations apply.

All this having been said, however, great care still needs to be taken if you are being asked to test any enclosed location that doesn’t have one of the specified risks listed above.

Why?

Well it doesn’t mean there aren’t other serious risks such as: falls from height, difficulty to escape following an accident, escape from fires, longterm harm from of hazardous gases, etc, etc…

So for safety – always risk assess your workplace and be aware of confined spaces.

And for those doing an OPITO style authorised gas tester level 1, knowing what a confined space is a learning objective that has to to met. (see 1.1.1)

For more on this subject see our members area..

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1.1.2 The type of production operation being tested for flammable and toxic gases

Opito require the above learning element, which, as the author and instructor – I find a little ambiguous. My reason for saying this is –  when you work as a gas tester, you will have the production operation defined to you by your employer. And for every gas tester the type and nature of the production operation being tested will be different. For example, the testing required: offshore; or in an oil refinery; or onshore oil and gas pipelines are very different. Therefore it is impossible to give a definitive list to you.

However as you can obtain an AGT level 1 without ever picking up a gas detector or having undertaking any gas testing in practice! It is probably worth mentioning a few examples when gas testing is required to you.  And you will notice also that some of these are not related just to confined spaces.

Gas Testing Examples:

1. Confined Space Entry – You may be asked to undertake initial atmospheric testing and continual monitoring when workers are required to enter a confined space. Examples may include: separators, mixing tanks, water tanks, full tanks, rig leg entry, ballast tanks, pipework, valve pits etc..
2. Investigating Gas Alarms – Whether Fixed, area (sentinels), or personal gas alarms, you may be asked to investigate the reason for these and determine if the atmosphere is safe.
3. Hot Work – Although this is  really AGT level 2, you may as a gas tester be asked to carrying out initial atmospheric testing and continual monitoring prior to activities involving hot work. And of course hot work is often carried out in confined spaces – adding the the risk and complication to the gas testing required.
4. Monitoring Gas Purging – Monitoring of the purge process until a suitable endpoint is achieved. Again this is not a requirement for AGT level 1, you will find that confined spaces in the oil and gas industry near always require purging prior to entry. And as the gas tester – you will be required to monitor the progress of these.
5. Adhering to COSHH Requirements- Monitoring for toxics gases. (Demonstrating compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations COSHH). COSHH is the UK regulations relating to hazardous substances. Due to the nature of confined spaces, the often poor ventilation will increase the risk of hazardous gases reaching a dangerous concentration. Therefore regular or continual monitoring of these may be required

 

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1.1.3 The potential cumulative hazards of operations within an oxygen deficient, toxic or flammable environment

As we have already described, a confined space is a work location which is both enclosed, or largely enclosed, and also has a reasonably foreseeable risk to workers of fire, explosion, loss of consciousness, asphyxiation or drowning.

These can be very small and restrictive or far larger such as storage tanks with thousands of cubic metre capacity.

Four of these reasonably foreseeable risk: fire, explosion, loss of consciousness, asphyxiation normally result from the composition of the atmosphere within a confined space,  and the often poor ventilation associated with them.

For example:

• low oxygen – asphyxiation
• flammable gases – fire and explosion
• Toxic and inert gases – loss of consciousness
• ect ect…

The real skill required by authorised gas testers, is to know which flammable and/or toxic gases you need to test for and how to do it !

For example, imagine you were asked to initially test an emptied diesel fuel tank prior to workers entering it. Then there was a need for welding within the tank to facilitate a needed repair. Finally the internal surfaces within the tank needed a solvent based paint applied.

How would you determine which gases to test for and where and when?

For the answer see the next section.

 

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1.1.4 Carrying out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment before testing activities and confined space entry

Is it possible to detect atmospheric hazards by simply using our natural senses such as sight, smell and taste?

For example:

• could determine if the atmosphere contained sufficient oxygen without using some for of gas detection device?
• or how about whether it was toxic or flammable?

Well of course not as most hazardous gasses and oxygen are colourless, odourless, and tasteless.

Therefore before an authorised gas tester undertakes gas testing, they must first perform a risk assessment to identify:

• what atmospheric hazards could be present
• the appropriate gas detector to be used to detect these and
• ensure the risk assessment covers all the gasses likely to be present from the beginning to the end of the work process

The findings of the risk assessment must be written down and added to the relevant testing requirements contained within the Permit to Work and operating procedures.

For more on this subject including worked examples, please see our members area..

Our next question is, how do you enter a confined space safely?

 

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1.1.5 Using safe systems of work, to include:

a) Appointment of a supervisor
b) Entry permits
c) Ventilation
d) Testing and continuous monitoring of the air Communications

We could spend many hours discussing this subject and the requirements of OPITO on ask us to consider 4 aspects of the full UK’s HSE requirements for onshore worker. Therefore rather than me simply saying “you a) appointment of a supervisor; b) always use an entry permit system; c) ensure adequate ventilation and d) provide atmosphere testing and continuous monitoring of the air.” I will point you to the best source of information to read yourselves.

The Approved Code of Practice for confined spaces also covers the final section of this module.

1.1.6 Using observers to raise the alarm and initiate emergency response

confined-spaces-hse-acop

This concludes the first module of OPITO authorised gas tester level 1.

Hopefully you have found this useful and a start to your continuing learning as a gas tester. And for all those cut and paste trainers out their, looking to improve their course material – this too goes to you!

Of course, we can not hope to make you competent gas tester simply by giving you so little knowledge, so as previously mentioned, if you would like to know more on this subject including worked examples, please see our members area..

Author – Senior Instructor @gt