| SEWERAGE
SYSTEMS CONFINED SPACE ENTRY COURSE (AGT lll) |
 Many lives have been lost in 'confined
spaces' throughout the world caused by poisonous gas related
accidents. Most of the victims were wither overcome by
toxic
fumes or die of gas explosions. Almost all of the deaths
were caused when working in 'confined space' or through
the explosion of flammable gases, which could have been
prevented or avoided. |
| |
| DEFINITION
OF CONFINED SPACE |
| (Department of Workers
Safety & Health - JKKP(1) 04/98) |
| A space, which: |
| • |
Is not intended as a regular
work place i.e. continuous employee occupancy. |
| • |
Has restricted means of entry
or exit |
| • |
Is large
enough and so configured that an employee can bodily
enter & perform assigned work
and |
| • |
Is at atmospheric pressure
during occupancy |
|
| |
| CHARACTERISTICS
OF CONFINED SPACE |
| • |
contains or has a potential
to contain a hazardous atmosphere |
| • |
contains material (solid or
fluid substance) that has 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
downwards and tapers to a smaller cross section or |
| • |
contains any other recognized
serious safety or health hazards, e.g. rotors |
|
| |
| CONFINED
SPACES |
 |
|
Some examples of confined spaces are sewers, manholes, chambers,
wet and dry wells, sewage and sludge tanks, septic tanks,
tanker barrels, air filter houses, chemical storage tanks,
tidal storage tanks, underground tanks and reservoirs. Audits
and tunnels, pipelines, bore-holes, reaction surge vessels,
boilers, road tankers and the like.
Nearly all deaths involved in confined spaces are due to
:-
|
| • |
suffocation due to lack of
oxygen |
| • |
poisoning caused by inhalation
of toxic gases |
| • |
injuries caused by an explosion
due to ignition of flammable gases |
|
| |
| CAUSES
OF DEATH IN CONFINED SPACES |
| • |
Ignorance and inability to
recognize confined space when they see one. Unaware that
the space is dangerous. |
| • |
Trust own senses and not realizing
that a space, which looks safe is not safe. Most hazardous
atmosphere is not visible to the human eyes. One cannot
see, taste or smell most toxic or deadly atmosphere. |
| • |
Underestimate the danger. One
thinks they can get in and out before a hazard affects
them. One does not realize how quickly one can be overcome
by a deadly atmosphere. |
| • |
Do not stay on guard. One forgets
that a hazard may develop after one has entered a confined
space. |
| • |
Try to rescue other people.
It is only human nature to offer assistance to another
human being in trouble. But, the sad fact is that the
untrained and ignorant rescuer dies along with the trapped
victim they attempt to save. |
|
 |
Only trained personnel
in confined space safety procedures supplied with the appropriate
safety equipment can be allowed to enter a sewer or confined
space. |
| |
| CONFINED
SPACE TRAINING |
To provide practical
safety training to personnel whose job involved entering and
working in a sewer or confined space. |
| |
| CONFINED
SPACE TRAINING OBJECTIVES |
| • |
State the danger of working
in sewer or confined space |
| • |
State the General Precautions
to be observed when entering and working in a confined
space |
| • |
Proper usage of pieces or equipment
such as safety harness, winch, tripod, lifeline, barriers
and telecommunication tools. |
| • |
Escape safely from a sewer
or confined space with the use of a self-rescue breaching
apparatus. |
| • |
Operate a gas detector and
know the emergency procedures to be followed if the detector
alarms (Authorized Gas Tester III) |
|
| |
| COURSE
DURATION & TRAINING METHODOLOGY |
This is a 2-day (16
hours) course and the training program includes lectures as
well as indoor and outdoor practical sessions. At the end of
the course the participant will be given a written examination.
On passing this examination, they will be awarded a Certificate
of Competence, which is valid for 2 years. The Certificate can
be renewed by attending a one day (8 hours) refresher course
and passing the written examination. |
| |
| SEWER
CONTRACTORS/CONSULTANTS |
 |
Personnel
involved in the maintenance of sewerage systems is compulsory
to register
with the Sewerage Services Department, Ministry of Energy,
Water & Communications before enrolling for the confined
space course and training.
|
| |
| TRAINING
MODULES |
| |
| 1. |
Legislation
On Confined Space Examination |
| 2. |
Definition
Of A Confined Space |
| 3. |
Entry
Into Manholes |
| 4. |
Permit-To-Work
|
| 5. |
Equipment
Required For Entry Into Confined Space |
| 6. |
Theory
Of Gas Detection |
| 7. |
Breathing
Apparatus |
| 8. |
Practical
& Simulation |
| 9. |
Written
Examination |
|
 |
| |
| WHO
SHOULD ATTEND |
All personnel involved
with entering and working in sewer and confined spaces. Participants
must be physically fit and free from any of the medical conditions/impairments
listed in paragraph 10.2 of the Department of Safety and Health
(DOSH) Guidelines for Safe Working in a Confined Space (JKKP:GP
(1) 04/98). |
|
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION |
|
The training is organized by the Department
of Sewerage Services under the Ministry of Energy, Water & Communications in cooperation with the Malaysian Water Association (MWA).
It is conducted by trainers engaged by Indah Water Konsortium
at the Pantai Sewage Treatment Works Facility, Pantai Dalam,
Kuala Lumpur.
For more information on the Sewerage Systems Confined Space
Entry Course (AGT lll), please contact :-
|
| |
| |
| Malaysian Water Management Sdn Bhd, |
| (subsidiary company wholly owned by MWA)
|
| No 77-2, Second Floor, Medan Bunus, |
| Off Jalan Masjid India, |
| 50100 Kuala Lumpur, |
| Tel: 03-26912518 |
| Fax: 03-26912520 |
| Email: mwmgtsb@tm.net.my |
| |
| 2-Day Course Fee is RM430.00 per participant.
|
| 1-Day Refresher Course Fee is RM340.00
per participant |
| |
|
| |
A
second level course "Authorized Gas Tester (AGT ll)" will be enforced and launched
soon by Department of Sewerage Services. This is mainly for
supervisors who possessed the "Confined Space (AGT lll) Certificate". |
| |
