Recently, the CSA Group has released a new version of its standard concerning work in confined spaces, entitled Z1006-16 – Management of work in confined spaces. Employers need to be aware that there have been some important changes in this edition that are worth noting. The entire 108 page document can be viewed here.
What is this standard about?
The standard specifies requirements for and provides guidance on the activities required to manage all aspects of work in confined spaces in accordance with CSA’s occupational health and safety principles (found in CAN/CSA-Z1000-14, Occupational health and safety management). In a nutshell, it specifies requirements concerning management commitment, leadership, participation, assignment of roles and responsibilities, identification of confined spaces, identification of hazards, risk assessment, selection and application of controls, design considerations, training, monitoring and measurement, emergency response, documentation, internal audits and management reviews. There are also five Annexes that provide guidance on implementing the standard’s normative requirements, including sample forms that can be customized for the specific needs of the user.
What version is this?
This is the second edition of CSA Z1006, Management of work in confined spaces. It supersedes the previous edition published in 2010.
What are the main changes involving?
Changes in this edition include:
- the improvement of the flow and readability of the document with the inclusion of additional flowcharts and tables and restructuring of content and clauses;
- the addition of three informative Annexes to elaborate and provide additional information on rescue planning, atmospheric testing, monitoring, and instrumentation, and ventilation systems;
- the harmonization of the Standard with CAN/CSA-Z1000, CAN/CSA-Z1001, and CAN/CSA-Z1002; and
- the elaboration on the information regarding workspace design and modification.
More specifically, what does this standard do?
The standard specifies requirements for:
- establishing and maintaining a confined space management program in accordance with health and safety management principles;
- the roles and responsibilities of management, the entry team, and the emergency response team;
- identification and designation of confined spaces;
- design and engineering of confined spaces;
- hazard identification and risk assessment relating to work in confined spaces;
- management and control of hazards and risks associated with work in confined spaces;
- personal protective equipment and other equipment used for work in confined spaces; general safety procedures for confined spaces;
- training for work in confined spaces; determining worker capability of performing assigned duties within confined spaces;
- emergency plans for rescuing workers in confined spaces;
- management of external service providers; and
- documentation.
Note: However, the standard does not address safety management of enclosures or structures designed and constructed for continuous human occupancy or underwater enclosures (you are recommended to see CSA Z275.2 for these topics).
More specifically, the standard sets out to provide:
- an overview of the steps an organization needs to take to establish and maintain an effective confined space management program;
- safety information for workers entering confined spaces and for persons responsible for ensuring the safety of such workers; and
- requirements for confined space emergency preparedness and rescue.
In fact, Clause 4 specifies general requirements for a comprehensive confined space management program. Also, and Clauses 5 to 8 specify requirements for planning and implementing a confined space management program, including specifying roles and responsibilities, requirements for hazard identification and risk assessment, development of entry procedures, emergency response planning, and assessment of worker capability for performing assigned duties within a confined space, training requirements, and requirements related to controls, emergency response activities, and documentation. Moreover, Clauses 9 and 10 specify requirements related to incident investigation and analysis, corrective actions, internal audits and management reviews. Lastly, Annexes A through E provide guidance on implementing this standard’s requirements and include sample forms.
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