Confine space bc canada

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# WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION B.C. Reg. 296/97 Part 9 - Confined Spaces (c) other combination of education, training and experience acceptable to the Board. [am. B.C. Regs. 185/99, S. 52; 243/2006, S. 3.] # Identification and Entry Permits ## Identification 9.12 When a confined space requires entry by a worker, each point of access which is not secured against entry must be identified by a sign or other effective means which indicates the hazard and prohibits entry by unauthorized workers. ## When permits required - 9.13 (1) An entry permit must be completed and signed by the responsible supervisor before a worker enters a confined space (a) with a high hazard atmosphere, (b) that requires lockout or isolation procedures to be followed, or (c) in which there is a hazard of entrapment or engulfment. (2) An entry permit must be posted at each designated point of entry to a confined space. (3) Subsection (2) does not apply if (a) the entry permit is posted at a minimum of one designated point of entry, (b) the identification at other designated points of entry includes up-to-date information on whether it is safe to enter, and (c) all workers authorized to enter are informed of the location of posted entry permits. ## Contents of permit - 9.14 An entry permit must identify the (a) confined space and the work activities to which it applies, (b) workers who are inside the space, (c) required precautions for the space, and (d) time of expiration of the permit. ## Updating the information - 9.15 (1) Once issued, the information on an entry permit may only be altered by (a) the responsible supervisor who signed the permit to update it in accordance with subsection (2) or (3), (b) the standby worker to update the list of workers inside the confined space, or (c) the tester to record test results. Last amended March 31, 2025 193 Consolidation current to March 31, 2025

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) ## Equipment and training (cont.) B.C. Reg. 296/97 WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 9 - Confined Spaces ## Notification - 9.39 (1) Before a worker enters a confined space, the responsible supervisor or the standby person must notify rescue personnel of work in the space. (2) The responsible supervisor or the standby person must notify rescue personnel when all workers have completed their work and exited from the space. (3) If more than one confined space is to be entered at the same time, notification of rescue personnel to be on alert status at the commencement of work is adequate. (4) Notification requirements in this section do not apply if the written agreement indicates that rescue personnel are available 24 hours each day. ## Summoning rescue 9.40 The employer must ensure that rescue personnel monitor any signalling system that will be used to summon the rescue persons in the event of an emergency whenever they have been informed by the responsible supervisor or the standby person that a confined space entry is in progress. ## Rescue procedures - 9.41 (1) Rescue or evacuation from a confined space must be directed by a supervisor who is adequately trained in such procedures or a qualified rescue person. (2) Effective voice communication must be maintained at all times between workers engaged in the rescue or evacuation and the person directing the rescue. (3) A rescue worker must not enter a confined space unless there is at least one additional worker located outside to render assistance. (4) A self-contained breathing apparatus, or air supplied respirator with escape bottle, must be used during rescue operations in an unknown or IDLH atmosphere. ## Lifelines, Harnesses and Lifting Equipment ## When required - 9.42 (1) When entering a confined space which contains a high hazard atmosphere, a risk of entrapment or engulfment or with any other…

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# WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) ## Personal Protective Equipment and Other Precautions (cont.) B.C. Reg. 296/97 WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 9 - Confined Spaces hazardous locations classified under CSA Standard C22.1-94, Canadian Electrical Code Part 1, as Class 1, Division 2, Groups A, B and C. ## Non-sparking tools 9.51 Only non-sparking tools may be used in a confined space where flammable or explosive gases, vapours or liquids are present. 204 Last amended March 31, 2025 Consolidation current to March 31, 2025

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) ## Alternative measures of control or isolation of adjacent piping (cont.) WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT B.C. Reg. 296/97 # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 9 - Confined Spaces (a) a measure specified in section 9.18 to control or isolate harmful substances contained in adjacent piping from a confined space is not practicable, and (b) the employer implements alternative measures of control or isolation that are acceptable to the Board. (2) All workers affected by measures implemented under subsection (1) must be informed of the measures taken and instructed in any applicable work procedures. [am. B.C. Regs. 243/2006, S. 5; 312/2010, App. H, S. 2.] ## Discharge area 9.23 The area of potential discharge from a disconnected line or from the bleed of a double block and bleed isolation system must be controlled to ensure that any accidental discharge will not present a hazard to workers. ## Verification and Testing ## Verifying all precautions 9.24 Before a worker enters a confined space, pre-entry testing and inspection must be conducted to verify that the required precautions have been effective at controlling the identified hazards and that it is safe for a worker to enter. ## Testing the atmosphere - 9.25 (1) Except as stated in subsection (7), before a worker enters a confined space, the employer must ensure that the atmosphere in the confined space is tested in accordance with this section and section 9.26. (2) The pre-entry testing must be (a) conducted as specified in the written work procedures, and (b) completed not more than 20 minutes before a worker enters a confined space. (3) When all workers have vacated the confined space for more than 20 minutes, pre- entry testing, as required by subsection (1), must be repeated. (4) While a worker is inside a confined space with a moderate or high hazard atmosphere, additional testing must be conducted as necessary to ensure the …

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) ## Risk control (cont.) WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT B.C. Reg. 296/97 # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 9 - Confined Spaces (c) if flammable or explosive gases, vapours or liquids are present, all sources of ignition are eliminated or adequately controlled. ## Inerting - 9.29 (1) The employer must notify the Board in writing, and submit a copy of the proposed work procedures, at least 7 days before a worker enters a confined space which has been inerted. (2) The employer must follow any additional precautions that are prescribed by the Board after review of the notification. (3) If a confined space has been inerted (a) all entry precautions for high hazard atmospheres must be followed, except the requirement for continuous ventilation, (b) every worker entering the confined space must be equipped with a supplied- air respirator meeting the requirements of Part 8 [Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment], (c) all ignition sources must be controlled, and (d) the atmosphere inside the confined space must remain inerted while workers are inside. (4) Subsection (1) does not apply to entry for the purpose of performing emergency rescue duties. [am. B.C. Reg. 312/2010, App. G, S. 12.] ## Ventilation ## Continuous ventilation - 9.30 Every confined space must be ventilated continuously while a worker is inside the space, except in (a) an atmosphere intentionally inerted in accordance with section 9.29, (b) a low hazard atmosphere controlled in accordance with section 9.31 (2), or (c) an emergency rescue, if ventilation is not practicable. ## Low hazard atmospheres - 9.31 (1) The employer must ensure that a minimum of 85 m³ /hr (50 cfm) of clean respirable air is supplied for each worker inside a confined space with a low hazard atmosphere, except as permitted in subsection (2). (2) Continuous ventilation is not required in a confined space which has a low hazard atmos…

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) ## Testing the atmosphere (cont.) B.C. Reg. 296/97 WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 9 - Confined Spaces (a) the location and control of the space ensures that a more hazardous atmosphere could not inadvertently develop, (b) such testing is not required to verify the effectiveness of an isolation or other pre-entry control, (c) prior representative sampling has demonstrated that the atmosphere within the space or group of similar spaces meets the low hazard atmosphere definition, and (d) the written entry procedures do not require such testing. [am. B.C. Reg. 188/2011, App. D, S. 1.] ## Procedures and equipment - 9.26 (1) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. B, S. 12 (a).] (2) Each confined space test must be carried out by a qualified person who has training and experience to calibrate, operate and monitor testing equipment and interpret readings from the testing equipment. (3) The test record must show the date and time of the test, the initials of the tester and the levels or condition found. (4) Test results, other than continuous monitoring results, must be posted without delay at all points of entry to the confined space. [am. B.C. Regs. 312/2003, App. B, S. 12; 188/2011, App. D, S. 2.] ## Cleaning, Purging, Venting and Inerting ## Cleaning, purging and venting - 9.27 (1) When practicable, the employer must ensure that a confined space to be entered contains clean respirable air. (2) If a confined space is known, or shown by pre-entry testing to contain other than clean respirable air, the hazard must be controlled by cleaning, purging or venting the space and the atmosphere must be retested before a worker enters the space. (3) The dead-ends of a line that has been isolated must be cleaned, purged or vented to remove any harmful substance which could present a hazard to a worker entering the confined space. ## Risk control 9.28 If clean respir…

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) ## Control of hazards (cont.) WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT B.C. Reg. 296/97 # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 9 - Confined Spaces ## Confined space entry program - 9.5 Before a worker is required or permitted to enter a confined space, the employer must prepare and implement a written confined space entry program which includes (a) an assignment of responsibilities, (b) a list of each confined space or group of similar spaces and a hazard assessment of those spaces, and (c) written safe work procedures for entry into and work in the confined space, that address, where applicable (i) identification and entry permits, (ii) lockout and isolation, (iii) verification and testing, (iv) cleaning, purging, venting or inerting, (v) ventilation, (vi) standby persons, (vii) rescue, (viii) lifelines, harnesses and lifting equipment, (ix) personal protective equipment and other precautions, and (x) coordination of work activities. ## Responsibilities ## Administration 9.6 The employer must assign overall responsibility for administration of the confined space entry program to a person or persons adequately trained to do so. ## Supervision - 9.7 (1) The employer must assign responsibility for supervision to a person who is adequately trained to supervise the job before any worker enters a confined space. (2) The responsible supervisor must ensure that (a) pre-entry testing and inspection is conducted based on the written procedures, (b) the precautions identified in the written procedures and the precautions required by this Regulation or which are otherwise necessary for the health and safety of workers are followed, and (c) only authorized workers enter a confined space. ## Instruction 9.8 Each person who is assigned duties or responsibilities related to entry into a confined space must be adequately instructed and trained in (a) the hazards of th…

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION B.C. Reg. 296/97 (cont.) ## Contents (cont.) <table><tr><th>Safety Headgear</th><th>172</th></tr><tr><td>Eye and Face Protection</td><td>173</td></tr><tr><td>Limb and Body Protection</td><td>175</td></tr><tr><td>Footwear</td><td>176</td></tr><tr><td>High Visibility and Distinguishing Apparel</td><td>177</td></tr><tr><td>Buoyancy Equipment</td><td>179</td></tr><tr><td>Flame Resistant Clothing</td><td>180</td></tr><tr><td>Respirators</td><td>180</td></tr><tr><td>Schedule 8-A - WorkSafeBC Standard - Leg Protective Devices</td><td>186</td></tr><tr><td>PART 9 - CONFINED SPACES [sections 9.1 - 9.51]</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>General Requirements</td><td>190</td></tr><tr><td>Responsibilities</td><td>191</td></tr><tr><td>Hazard Assessment and Work Procedures</td><td>192</td></tr><tr><td>Identification and Entry Permits</td><td>193</td></tr><tr><td>Lockout and Control of Harmful Substances</td><td>194</td></tr><tr><td>Verification and Testing</td><td>197</td></tr><tr><td>Cleaning, Purging, Venting and Inerting</td><td>198</td></tr><tr><td>Ventilation</td><td>199</td></tr><tr><td>Standby Persons</td><td>200</td></tr><tr><td>Rescue</td><td>201</td></tr><tr><td>Lifelines, Harnesses and Lifting Equipment</td><td>202</td></tr><tr><td>Personal Protective Equipment and Other Precautions</td><td>203</td></tr><tr><td>PART 10 - DE-ENERGIZATION AND LOCKOUT [sections 10.1 - 10.12]</td><td>205</td></tr><tr><td>PART 11 - FALL PROTECTION [sections 11.1 - 11.40]</td><td>209</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">PART 12 - TOOLS, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT [sections 12.1 - 12.183]</td></tr><tr><td>General Requirements</td><td>214</td></tr><tr><td>Guarding Mechanical Power Transmission Parts</td><td>216</td></tr><tr><td>Conveyors</td><td>218</td></tr><tr><td>Power Presses, Brake Presses and Shears</td><td>219</td></tr><tr><td>Feed-rolls and Metal-forming Rolls</td><td>220</td></tr><tr><td>Machine Tools</td><td>220</td></tr><tr><td>Abrasive Equipment</td><td>22…

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# WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION B.C. Reg. 296/97 Part 9 - Confined Spaces ## Standards 9.43 Harnesses, lifelines and lifting equipment must meet the requirements of standards acceptable under this Regulation. Line entanglement 9.44 If one or more workers enter a confined space, provision must be made to prevent the entanglement of lifelines and other equipment. ## Additional workers 9.45 If rescue cannot be effected by the standby person(s) using harnesses, lifelines and lifting equipment, then one or more additional workers must be stationed at the entrance to the confined space and these workers must be equipped and capable of entering the space and effecting rescue. ## Personal Protective Equipment and Other Precautions - 9.46 Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. D, S. 6.] - Emergency escape respirator 9.47 Workers entering a confined space which contains a high hazard atmosphere must carry on their person or have within arm's reach an emergency escape respirator sufficient to permit them to leave the confined space without assistance. - Compressed gas cylinders 9.48 A cylinder of compressed gas is not permitted inside a confined space, except for a cylinder of compressed air supplied to a respirator, medical resuscitation equipment, handheld aerosol spray containers, fire extinguishers, or other equipment permitted by the Board. [en. B.C. Reg. 253/2001, S. 5.] Torches and hoses 9.49 When practicable, torches and hoses used for welding, brazing or cutting must be removed from a confined space when not in use and when the confined space is vacated. [am. B.C. Reg. 253/2001, S. 6.] - Electrical equipment - 9.50 (1) Electrical tools and equipment used in a confined space must be grounded or double-insulated and so marked, and if wet or damp conditions exist inside the space, must be protected by an approved ground fault circuit interrupter as required by Part 19 (Electrical Safety). (2) Electrical tools …

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) ## Instruction (cont.) B.C. Reg. 296/97 WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 9 - Confined Spaces (b) the precautions identified in written procedures to properly perform their duties. # Hazard Assessment and Work Procedures ## Hazard assessment - 9.9 (1) A hazard assessment must be conducted for each (a) confined space, or each group of confined spaces which share similar characteristics, and (b) work activity, or group of work activities which present similar hazards, to be performed inside a confined space. (2) The hazard assessment required by subsection (1) must consider (a) the conditions which may exist prior to entry due to the confined space's design, location or use, or which may develop during work activity inside the space, and (b) the potential for oxygen enrichment and deficiency, flammable gas, vapour or mist, combustible dust, other hazardous atmospheres, harmful substances requiring lockout and isolation, engulfment and entrapment, and other hazardous conditions. ## Procedures 9.10 Written procedures specifying the means to eliminate or minimize all hazards likely to prevail must be developed, based on the hazard assessment required by section 9.9. ## Qualifications - 9.11 (1) The hazard assessment and written confined space entry procedures must be prepared (a) by a qualified person who has adequate training and experience in the recognition, evaluation and control of confined space hazards, and (b) in consultation with the person assigned overall responsibility for adminis- tration of the confined space entry program and with the joint committee or the worker health and safety representative, as applicable. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1) (a) qualifications which are acceptable as evidence of adequate training and experience include (a) certified industrial hygienist (CIH), registered occupational hygienist (ROH), certi…