“SAFETY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY EMPLOYEE”

1. PAINTING IN CONFINED
SPACES
BY : KOMARUL FAUSIYAH

2. Introduction
• Most of the paints, solvents and thinners are
volatile and extremely flammable. If its vapors
are mixed with air in the right proportion, fire and
explosion may result when ignited. Therefore,
safety precautions must be observed when
paints are being applied within a confined space,
such in a tank or compartment. The following
Safety Rules must be strictly observed
whenever painting work is carried out within a
confined space :

3. Safety Rules …
• No welding, cutting or other hot work should be
performed in a confined space or other side of deck or
walls when spray painting in progress.
• Excessive paints should not be stored other than
requirement for that shift. Paints should be placed on a
metal tray provided with 6” stands. The allowance of 6”
above is to prevent it from catching fire from operation
of welding/cutting that may pierce through the deck
underneath.
• All unused and unfinished paints, solvents and
thinners must be covered tightly with its lids. This is to
prevent evaporation of solvent as well as the drying up
of the top layer of paint

4. Safety Rules …
• Do not mix paint inside the confined space and after
completion of painting work, all containers of paint must be
taken out from the compartments. Do not store paint, solvent
and thinner in the confined space.
• Rags and other materials that have been soaked in paint,
solvent and thinner shall be kept in a covered metal container.
• When spray painting is in progress a “NO HOT WORK” and
a “NO SMOKING” sign should be displayed at the entrance
of the confined space.
• No matches, lighted cigarettes or cigarette lighters shall be
taken into the area where painting is being done.
• All electric cables for tools, equipment and lights shall be
inspected to ensure that the insulation is in excellent condition
and free from cracks.

5. Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work in Confined Spaces
• Performance of welding and gas cutting in or
opposite confined spaces may lead to an
unintentional or accidental accumulation of
inflammable gases, oxygen deficiency, fires and
explosions. These dangers can be substantially
reduced if the various steps underlined below
are adhered to. Please remember that “SAFETY
IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY
EMPLOYEE”

6. Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work in Confined Spaces
1. General Cleaning
Welding, cutting and other hot work are spark
or fire producing operations. Therefore it is
essential that inflammable or combustible
substances, e.g. oil, grease, paper cups, rags,
paint, wood, and canvas are removed from
the immediate vicinity of hot work activity.
Rubber hoses and cables which are not in
use should be moved away from immediate
area of hot work.

7. Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work in Confined Spaces
2.
Forced Ventilation.
Forced ventilation is provided by means of blowers,
air lines, ventilators and exhaust fans. Thorough
ventilation will remove any accumulation of gases and
renew the oxygen supply in the atmosphere. All vent
fans should be safely constructed with the blade
guarded from the intake and discharge sides. Oxygen
should never be used for ventilation purposes,
comfort cooling, blowing dust or dirt from clothing or
for cleaning the work area.

8. Testing of the Atmosphere within Confined Spaces.
1. Testing of atmosphere within confined spaces will be carried
out by the Safety Department daily before the normal shift
commences work. During this time or any other time when
testing is done, a sign “NO HOT WORK’ will be displayed at
the entrance to confined spaces under test or not yet tested.
This means that no one is allowed to enter these
compartments and no hot work can be performed therein
until the sign is removed. This testing by the Safety
Department is done using a combustible gas detector that
will indicate the percentage of any combustible gas and
oxygen simultaneously within the atmosphere of a confined
space.

9. Testing of the Atmosphere within Confined Spaces.
2. If testing shows significant deviation from normal, the
space shall not be entered and no hot work can
commence in the immediate vicinity until the space has
been thoroughly ventilated and cleared and subsequent
re-tests show a significant reduction in the
concentration within the safe limits. If at any time an
employee working in a confined space suspect that the
atmospheric conditioned have changed, work shall be
stopped immediately and the Safety Department shall
conduct a re-test.

10. Testing of the Atmosphere within Confined Spaces.
3. No man or group of men shall re-enter a suspect confined
space until the atmosphere within the space has been
tested and the atmospheric condition within the space
has been found to be safe.
4. No welding, cutting or other hot work should be
performed in a confined space where spray painting is in
process. If painting has recently been done, the
compartment shall be thoroughly ventilated and a gas
test made prior to any hot work. The gas test should be
conducted with the ventilating equipment shut off at least
10 minutes.

11. Testing of the Atmosphere within Confined Spaces.
5. Do not burn through a deck or bulkhead in to a
confined space prior to test the confined space
for combustible substances and inflammable
gas. A fire watchman should be posted if there
is any chance of uncontrolled combustion.
6. Do not weld on a deck or bulkhead opposite a
confined space prior to test the confined
spaces for combustible substances and
inflammable gas

12. Other Precautions & Requirements




Switch off the power to the welding machine and remove the
electrode from the holder.
Turn off torch valves of the gas-cutting unit and shut off the
gas supply and remove the torch and hose from the confined
space.
The Maintenance Department shall periodically inspect all
equipment relating to welding/cutting processes at least
once a week. All equipment that requires repair should be
removed from the job site and turned over to the
Maintenance Shop for repair
Use standard hose connectors to join up individual length of
hose. Do not attempt to repair leakage of hose with
insulating tapes, wires or clips.

13. Other Precautions & Requirements


Hoses should be rolled as a reel when shifting from one
work area to another and must not be pulled or
dragged. Avoid placing heavy object on the hoses, or
running it over sharp edges and hot surfaces.
Any manholes or other openings which are left
unattended should be protected with iron grills or other
suitable cover or barricades. In the case of barricades,
a flasher or lantern shall be placed at night if there is
danger of personnel stepping into the opening due to
limited vision.

14. Other Precautions & Requirements
 Each supervisor will ensure that there is an adequate number of fire
extinguishers in all work areas and when deemed necessary. A fire
watchman should be assigned.
 Anyone who has cause to use a fire extinguisher shall immediately
thereafter inform his supervisor who shall direct his subordinates to
return the used extinguisher to the maintenance shop and obtain a
replacement from the warehouse.
 The supervisor shall make a thorough investigation of the cause of
the fire and take necessary steps to eliminate the cause. The
supervisor will complete the appropriate fire investigation report and
forward a copy to the Safety Department.

15. THANKS FOR YOUR
ATTENTION
SAFETY IS START FROM OURSELVES