Confined Spaces 

Section 5   Documentation and Control 

Section 5   Documentation and Control 

Reference should be made to Common Elements and Requirements, which 

may supersede some parts of this Section. 

5.1  

GENERAL 

5.1.1  

The standard documentation used with these Safety Rules and Procedures 

is described in this Section. 

5.2   

SAFETY METHOD STATEMENTS

5.2.1  

A Safety Method Statement is to be prepared by the Authorised Person or 

by a nominated representative of the Contractor / Company / Agency 

whose employees are to carry out the confined space work. 

5.2.2  

Where the Safety Method Statement is prepared by a Contractor / 

Company / Agency, it is to be checked, approved and countersigned by the 

Authorised Person before the issue of any Permit to Work. 

5.2.3  

Where the Authorised Person prepares a Safety Method Statement for 

high risk situations it is to be checked, approved and countersigned by a 

second Authorised Person or Authorising Engineer. 

5.2.4  

The Safety Method Statement is to indicate: 

n 

a description of the confined space 

n 

precise site details and access 

n 

the work to be carried out 

n 

plant and equipment to be taken out of service (where applicable) 

n 

the results of the risk assessment 

n 

arrangements for isolation from gases, liquids and flowing materials 

(if applicable) 

n 

arrangements for isolation from mechanical and electrical equipment 

(if applicable) 

n 

minimum number of personnel in the Work Team and competencies 

required including any specialist training requirements 

n 

any special PPE, RPE or other equipment 

n 

methods of ventilation, cleaning, purging and inerting  (if applicable) 

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April 2005