Confined Space Safety Assessor

Evaluation of confined space entry permit

1. On receipt of the application for a confined space entry permit, the confined space safety assessor shall test the atmosphere of the confined space prior to entry by any person into the confined space.
2. The confined space safety assessor shall, in relation to the testing of the atmosphere referred to in paragraph (1) —
   (a) use a suitable and properly calibrated instrument;
   (b) conduct the test in the following sequence:
       (i) test for level of oxygen content;
      (ii) test for level of flammable gas or vapour; and
     (iii) test for concentration of toxic gas or vapour, where applicable;
   (c) conduct the test in a manner that will not endanger himself or others; and
   (d) record the results of the test in the confined space entry permit.
3. If the confined space safety assessor is satisfied that entry into or work in a confined space can be carried out with due regard to the safety and health of persons who enter or work in the confined space, he shall endorse the application for the confined space entry permit and forward the endorsed application to the authorised manager for the confined space.
4. It shall be the duty of the confined space safety assessor to exercise all due diligence when performing his functions in relation to the testing, evaluation and endorsement of an application for a confined space entry permit under paragraphs (1), (2) and (3).

Periodic testing of atmosphere

1. It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined space to ensure that —
   (a) the atmosphere in the confined space is tested by a confined space safety assessor at such intervals as is necessary to evaluate the safety and health of the person entering or working in the confined space;
   (b) if there are 2 or more persons present in the confined space, at least one of them continuously monitors the atmosphere in the confined space with a suitable gas detector; and
   (c) if a hazardous atmosphere in a confined space is detected by the tests or continuous monitoring referred to in subparagraphs (a) and (b) —
      (i) all persons in the confined space shall vacate the confined space immediately;
     (ii) an evaluation is made to determine how the hazardous atmosphere developed; and
     (iii) no person re-enters the confined space until a new confined space entry permit is issued by the authorised manager for the confined space.
2. It shall be the duty of the confined space safety assessor to record the results of the tests
3. It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that each of the records referred to in paragraph (2) are kept for not less than 2 years from the date it is made.

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