Confined space entry in a frac tank:

Confined spaces are common in our industry. The recognition of hazards that can emerge prior to entering the space is a critical step in preventing unsafe incidents. Injuries and fatalities can result from poor planning and not being properly prepared. It is a requirement that the atmosphere be tested prior to entry and monitored throughout the entirety of the entry. These atmospheric hazards can include oxygen-deficiency/enrichment, toxicity, and combustibility. EWMI makes it a practice to write a permit for all confined space entries.

EWMI recently added a frac tank rental and service line. Frac tanks are large heavy gauged steel tanks that hold either sludge, liquids, or a combination of the two. These tanks are beneficial for construction sites, agricultural sites, environmental remediation, oil, and gas applications as well as manufacturing facilities for temporary storage. We also perform tank cleanings where our crew decontaminates frac tanks.

Requirements for working in a confined space:

Knowing the hazards of confined spaces and what is required to work within them will prepare the team for a safe entry. EWMI treats all confined spaces as “Permit Required” to maximize health and safety precautions and practices when entering the space. These spaces can potentially be dangerous and require training in safety measures. Arming the crews with the knowledge needed for proper entry methods.

EWMI works in a variety of confined spaces including but not limited to frac tanks, vertical and horizontal tanks, underground tanks, and vaults. Our field technicians are prepared for any project-specific protocols prior to entering the field. Each job is carefully vetted prior to a job beginning along with a site-specific Health and Safety Plan (HASP). Once on site the permitting begins prior to beginning work.

Before entering a confined space, the confined space supervisor ensures that initial air monitoring is performed. A four-gas meter is used to measure oxygen content, lower explosive limit, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide to ensure that the space is safe for entry. There are times when EWMI uses photoionization detectors, colorimetric tubes and other tools depending on site-specific hazards and conditions. The conditions within the confined space are monitored continuously throughout work, and readings are taken every fifteen minutes and recorded on the permit.

Training day at EWMI:

The training began early in the EWMI conference room lead by our Health and Safety Director. Teams were divided and assigned specific areas of confined space safety which included definitions, hazards, levels of PPE including the types of respiratory protection. Later types of knots required for rescue were discussed and practiced. Each team was given a scenario and required to come up with plan for their mission. Prior to executing the plan, it had to be approved by the H&S Director.

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Once each team’s plan was approved the rescue drills began. A rescue drill is required at least annually by OSHA. Providing personnel, the experience of working through different scenarios to familiarize themselves with situations they could encounter during a confined space rescue. There are two types of categories involved with rescue: time sensitive (emergency) and non-time sensitive. Time sensitive rescues involve oxygen-deficient atmospheres where there is a small window of time, typically six minutes, to get someone out. An example of a non—time sensitive rescue would be when a crew member falls and injuries themselves, in this circumstance there are no atmospheric hazards.

In the warehouse a clean EWMI frac tank was staged for the teams to perform their emergency rescue scenarios. The teams previously discussed the best approach to save their teammate during the planning phase and were ready to suit up and make entry. Rescuing someone in a timely manner requires in-depth knowledge of the conditions, potential hazards, location, and configuration of the confined space, these all lend to determination of the rescue strategy.

Following proper protocols, knowing your space, knowing your hazards, training for success and being prepared will ensure that your team works safely and efficiently in any confined space emergency.

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• Know Your Space
• Know Your Hazards
• Train for Success
• Always be Prepared

Following these four rules can help avoid hazards and ensure safety within confined spaces.

What is a Confined Space?

Knowing your space is critical for working safely. Before delving into specific concerns of confined spaces, you must first understand what constitutes a confined space.

According to Occupational Health & Safety Magazine, a confined space is “an area that is large enough and configured such that an employee or person can bodily enter and perform some type of work; has limited or restricted means for entry or exit and is not designed for continuous occupancy”.

Confined spaces can be sewers, manholes, pipelines, wells or trenches – and most require a permit for entry due to the hazards associated with working in a confined space.

What do you Need to Work in a Confined Space?

Knowing the hazards associated with confined space, and what is required to work within them, can keep your team safe. Some confined spaces are “Permit Required”. A Permit-Required Confined Space is a space that meets the requirements of a confined space and has one or more of the following characteristics:

• Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere,
• Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant,
• Has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls, or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section, or,
• Contains any other recognized health or safety hazards.

EWMI treats all confined spaces as “Permit Required” to maximize health and safety precautions and practices when entering the space.

Confined spaces exhibit dangerous potential, and Permit-Required Confined Spaces require special safety measures, precautions and consideration prior to entry by the entire team.

How can you Work Safely in Confined Spaces?

Training for success and preparation are the final steps to safeguarding any team working within a confined space. EWMI excels in confined spaces thanks to these considerations.

EWMI works in a variety of confined spaces including but not limited to frac tanks, vertical and horizontal tanks, underground tanks and vaults. EWMI has industry-leading safety protocols; confined space entry is no exception, and our safety measures are best practice in the field.

Regardless of project-specific considerations, the best way to work safe is always being prepared. At EWMI, we research site and space conditions prior to beginning work, ensuring that our Safety team is aware of all potential hazards so that proper mitigation techniques are used.  EWMI completes a Confined Space Entry Permit prior to starting work which includes all pre-entry setup and monitoring.  Proper documentation is prepared including a site-specific health and safety plan and safe work permits.  The team is also armed with pertinent documents including SDS’s and Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets.

Before EWMI’s field team enters a confined space, the Safety Supervisor will perform air monitoring using a four-gas meter, which measures oxygen content, lower explosive limit, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide to ensure that the space is safe for entry. In addition to this monitoring, EWMI also uses photoionization detectors, colorimetric tubes and other tools depending on site-specific hazards and conditions.  These conditions within the confined space are monitored continuously throughout work, and readings are taken every fifteen minutes and recorded on the permit.

In addition to these conditions during work, EWMI also utilizes a rigorous training regimen to instill safety values and knowledge of hazards prior to working. This training includes recognition of permit-required confined spaces, modes, signs and symptoms associated with the potential hazards in the space, use of confined space entry safety equipment and monitors, proper procedures for safe entry and exit and the ability to recognize and react to emergencies.

By following the rules of knowing your space, knowing your hazards, training for success and always being prepared, you can ensure that your team works safely in any confined space.

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