Roles, Duties and Responsibilities of a Stand-by Man

Presented

By Emmanuel Essen

As Part Of The On-going Knowledge Sharing Amongst Maintenance Teams

In

Nigeria LNG Ltd

June, 2016

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Objectives

At the end of the presentation, the participants will know

Who is a Standby-man.

The definition and Characteristics of a confined space.

Examples of a confined space.

Different types of risk environment in a confined space.

Hazards in a confined space.

Major factors that lead to fatalities in a confined space.

Qualities of a competent Standby-Man.

Roles, Duties and Responsibilities of a Standby-man

- Responsibilities of the standby-man at the worksite.

- What should be done when preparing to enter the confined space.

- Duties of the standby-man when the work is ongoing

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Who is a Standby-man

Whenever a confined space job is to be carried out, the team meets and nominates another worker who is competent and qualified to act as a Standby-man.

This Standby-man must be properly equipped to carry out this duties and responsibilities at ease without any hindrance as the fate of all the team members rest on him.

This standby man must acquired the necessary training will qualified him to work independently and during emergency situation.

Then, the question is, Who is a Standby-man?

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Therefore, a Standby-man may be defined as a competent person who is

Assigned to remain on the outside and in closed proximity to a confined space.

Capable of being in continuous communication with and, if practicable, able to observe persons working inside the confined space.

Capable of operating monitoring equipment used to ensure safety during entry to and working in the confined space.

Capable of initiating emergency procedures (including rescue procedures). But the golden rule while working as a standby-man is,

‘NEVER ENTER A CONFINED SPACE TO RESCUE ANY VICTIM’

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The Definition and Characteristics of a confined space

Confined space may be defined as

The space with limited/restricted opening for entry and exit. The space which is not intended for continuous human occupancy or habitation. The space which is large enough for personnel to enter and conduct work.

Graphically; see next slide

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Restricted entry or exit

Space is large enough for Personnel to enter and conduct work

Space is not intended for continuous human habitation

Is a confined space

Is not a confined space

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

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Characteristics Of A Confined Space

The following are the characteristics of a confined space;

It contains or could contain hazardous atmosphere e.g Sewer, Manhole, Gasoline storage tank etc.

It contains material that could engulf the person entering into the space e.g Mole sieve vessel, Activated carbon filter vessel.

It has a inwardly converging wall or floor that slopes downward and taper to a small cross section.

It contains any other recognised safety hazard e.g electrocutio, loose objects.

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Examples of a confined space

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Employer shall ensure that all authorized entrants:Know the hazards that may be faced during entry (mode, signs, symptoms, and consequences of exposure);Properly use all required equipment;Communicate with attendant as necessary to enable attendant to monitor status and alert entrants of need to evacuate. Alert attendant whenever any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation or a prohibited condition is detected.Exit from permit space as quickly as possible whenever:Order to evacuate is given by attendant or entry supervisor; Entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation;Entrant detects a prohibited condition; orEvacuation alarm is activated.

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Employer shall ensure that each attendant:Knows that hazards that may be faced during entry;Know the possible behavioral effects of hazards;Continuously maintain accurate count of entrants; Remains outside permit space during entry operations until relieved by another attendant;Communicates with entrants as necessary to monitor status and alert of need to evacuate space;Monitors activities inside and outside space to determine if safe for entrants to remain in space and orders evacuation when necessaryTakes the following actions when unauthorized persons approach or enter a permit space while entry is underway:Warns them to stay away;Advised them to exit immediately if they have entered; andInforms authorized entrants and entry supervisor if unauthorized persons enter space. Summons rescue and emergency services when emergency exit from permit space is necessary;Performs non-entry rescues per employer’s procedure; andPerforms no duties that might interfere with their primary duty to monitor and protect authorized entrants.

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UNACCEPTABLE TEST RESULTS:

Know your emergency response procedures! Immediately notify entrants of unsafe

conditions!If there is any doubt - EVACUATE THE

SPACE!Know the time it takes to evacuate!Don’t try to remedy before ordering

evacuation! EVACUATE THEN CONTROL THE

HAZARD!

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Standby Person - Roles and Responsibilities

Standby Person (aka. Spotter, Sentry, Observer, Attendant, Hole Watch, Cockatoo or Look-out)

This is a vital function, a position often held by the highest qualified member of a confined space team.

This person (or people) has responsibilities that are defined in State OHS Regulations and Standards. These responsibilities include maintaining constant communication (monitoring wellness of entrants and able to signal evacuation), initiating emergency response and keeping a record of entry and exit. In addition, the standby person may operate and monitor equipment for the safety of personnel in the confined space and monitor conditions outside the space.

The preference is that the Standby Person is qualified to provide CPR First Aid, though this function may be provided by a second person who is readily available.

In practice, the standby person controls entry and exit to the confined space and is prepared to respond (but not enter) during a confined space incident

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Particular attention is drawn to the requirement for standby persons to be available whenever confined spaces are occupied to ensure issues of; communication, safe work procedures and implementation of emergency procedures are maintained.

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