CONFINED SPACE AREA - CMA483 AP2464A

FAKULTI SENIBINA DAN PERANCANGAN DAN UKUR

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONS) CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT (AP246)

CMA483 QUALITY, SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIROMENTAL
(CASE STUDY: CONFINED AREA / SPACE)

DISEDIAKAN OLEH: 2022961961
2022938841
(1) Nor Hikimah Binti Ahmad Taruna 2022192043
(2) Ain Zarifah Ilyana Binti Zamzuri 2022509809
(3) Muhammad Amirul Hilmi Bin Abdul Karim
(4) Nor Aziemah Binti A.Aziz

Prepared For: Miss Fazeera Ujin

SEMESTER 1
SESI MAC -JULAI (20222)

Submitted Date
11 June 2022

STUDENT CERTIFICATE FORM

“We hereby certify that at all times all results the assignments we submit are the result
of our own work, not imitations and plagiarism from any source, or attempting to imitate
any party without placing the proper citation. We are aware that any student violates or
is suspected of violating the certificate made can be brought to the UiTM Disciplinary

Committee Shah Alam."

1. Name: Nor Hikimah Binti Ahmad Taruna
Student No.: 2022961961

2. Name: Ain Zarifah Ilyana Binti Zamzuri
Student No.: 2022938841

3. Name: Muhammad Amirul Hilmi Bin Abdul Karim
Student No.: 2022192043

4. Name: Nor Aziemah Binti A.Aziz
Student No.: 2022509809

TABLE OF CONTENTS

No. Contents Pages
1. Introduction 1-2
2. 1.0 HIRARC 3-4
3. 1.1 Term and definition
1.2 Confined Space 5-17
4. Background of case study
5. 2.0 Background 18
6. 2.1 Incident Report 19-20
3.1 Factor of Death
3.2 Root of cause incident -

3.2.1 Training and education
3.2.2 Work without Permits
3.2.3 Atmospheric hazard, testing, and monitoring
3.2.4 Lack of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
3.2.5 Emergencies and stand-by-person
3.2.6 Lack of responsibilities
3.3 Accident Prevention
3.3.1 Workers Training
3.3.2 Proper Personal Protective Equipment
3.3.3 Signage on Site
3.3.4 Valid Work Permit
3.3.5 Test, Precaution & Rescue Plan
3.3.6 Safe System of Work
3.4 HIRARC of Inhalation of Ammonia and Methane Gas
During Septic Tank Cleaning Operation

Discussion
Conclusion
Reference

1.0 HIRARC

Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control (HIRARC) have become
fundamental to the practice of planning, management and the operation of a project as a
basis of risk management. This was acknowledged as an effective way of managing
hazard and risk, so that we will be able to control the identified hazard before it becomes
the root cause of the accident. This HIRARC is part of the regulatory requirement that
safety management standard, Occupational Health & Safety Management System and
OHSAS 18001 required it to be done prior certification.

HIRARC is dissected into 3 elements which is HI for Hazard Identification, RA for Risk
Assessment and RC for Risk Control which is the basis of occupational safety and health
(OSH) in achieving the purpose of it. Furthermore, HIRARC is a requirement by law under
OSHA and regulations. It is the foundation for all OSH personnel, safety committee, etc.
Before analyzing, it is important to be able to classify hazards, danger and risk.

1.1 Terms and Definition

1.1.1 Hazard

Hazard means a source or a situation with a potential for harm in terms of human injury
or ill health, damage to property, damage to the environment or a combination of these.

1.1.2 Hazard control

The process of enforcing measures is to reduce the risk related with a hazard. Hierarchy
of control means the organized priority order for the procedure to be used to control risks.

1.1.3 Hazard identification

The identification of undesired incidents that lead to the materialization of the hazard and
the mechanism by which those undesired events could occur.

1.1.4 Risk

Combination of the likelihood of an incident of a hazardous event with specified period or
circumstances and the severity of injury or damage to the people’s health, property,
environment, or any combination of these caused by the event.

1.1.5 Risk assessment
Process of evaluating the risks to safety and health arising from hazards at work. Risk
management means the total procedure associated with identifying a hazard, assessing
the risk, putting in place control measures, and reviewing the outcomes.
1.2.0 Confined Space
A confined space is a space with limited entry and exit that is not suitable for human
inhabitants. In order for a work area to be defined as a confined space it must meet all
three of the following criteria:

i. Limited Openings for Entry and Exit.
ii. The Space is not Intended for Continuous Human Occupancy.
iii. The Space is Large Enough for You to Enter and Conduct Work.
Below are examples of confined area / space

Figure 1.1 Examples of confined space
For our task, we identified a case in Malaysia: "Cleaning contract worker died believed to
have inhaled ammonia gas." in 2018.

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2.0 BACKGROUND OF THE CASE STUDY

Title: Cleaning contract worker died believed to have inhaled ammonia and methane gas.
(August 2018)
Ammonia and methane gas is believed to be the cause of death when a cleaning
immigrant (Indonesian) worker inhaled the gas while cleaning the septic tank in Senai
International Airport on 11th august 2018. Abdul Basit, 32, died at the scene while two of
his colleagues Nazri Yasin,40 and Sutrisno,44 immigrant (Indonesia) , a local were found
unconscious during the incident near gate 1.
Based on the investigation Abdul Basit entered the septic tank chambers to execute the
maintenance work without wearing any safety equipment which caused him to be
exposed to ammonia and methane gas before losing consciousness. Abdul Basit had
time to approach his friend asking for help. Nazri and Sutrisno tried to help but failed as
they themselves also almost fainted after inhaling the gas.
District police officer also stated that Nazri and Sutrisno halfway through on bringing
Abdul Basit to the surface but since they were also affected by the gas, Abdul Basit fell
again in a 10-meter-deep septic chamber. The company’s lorry driver asked for help from
the airport police and Abdul Basit’s body was removed from the chamber with the help of
the nearest fire fighter.
The driver stated that this is the first time that Abdul Basit was involved in septic tank
maintenance work as usually Abdul Basit was doing road cleaning. Which shows that
Abdul Basit does not have competency to do work in confined space.

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2.1 INCIDENT REPORT

Name Victim Related Information
Abdul Basit,32
Gender Nazri Yasin,40
Time of injury Sutrisno,44
Specific activity during Male
the incident 12:15 P.M
Exact location of the The victims were cleaning Septic Tank Chambers.
incident
Victims’ employment Near gate 1 at Senai International Airport
status
Severity of the injury Contract worker

Serious injury Abdul Basit, intoxicated and losing consciousness then
died after inhaling ammonia and methane gas for a long
Supervision status time during the jobs. Nazri Yasin and Sutrisno fainted
during the incident after trying to save Abdul Basit which caused Abdul Basit
to fall into the septic chambers that are 10 meters deep.
Abdul Basit, Died at the scene Nazri
Yasin, Intoxicated and fainted
Sutrisno, Intoxicated and fainted
The incident was only seen by the company’s lorry driver
(male). He then asking for help from local authorities
(Airport police and nearest Fire fighter)

Table 1.1 Incident Report

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3.1 FACTOR OF DEATH OR ACCIDENTS

The cause of death was cardiovascular collapse due to the acute myocardial ischemia
due to inhalation of toxic fumes “methane and ammonia”. Enter the septic tanks without
permit and did not use any respiratory protective equipment.

In most cases, the cause of death is due either to inhalation of toxic gases or oxygen
deficiency.

A. Methane (CH4)

Methane is the main constituent of natural gas and can be produced by the decomposition
of organic matter. It’s lighter than air and is likely to be found at the top of a confined
space. Methane is colourless and odorless. Methane is nontoxic, but it’s not harmless.
Not only is it extremely flammable, but it’s also an asphyxiant at an oxygen concentration
below 16%.

B. Ammonia (NH3)

Ammonia is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent smell. Ammonia is both caustic
and hazardous in its concentrated form. Urine is high in ammonia, and it’s also a by-
product of the decomposition of organic matter. Exposure to high concentrations of
ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the nose, throat, and respiratory tract. This
can result in respiratory distress or even failure. Ammonia’s odor provides an early
warning signal, but ammonia also causes olfactory fatigue which reduces awareness of
its presence.

3.2 THE ROOT CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS

In 1994 The Occupational safety and Health created a standard to better protect those
who work in confined spaces. This standard is based on best practices for eliminating
and controlling confined space hazards. According to OSHA repair, maintenance,
cleaning and inspection activities account for almost ¼ of confined space related fatalities,
with construction and manufacturing industries experiencing the most fatalities. The lack
of an adequate risk assessment means that the work location was not even classified as

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a confined space, so the hazards were not realized. After all, recognizing a tank as a
possible confined space should be relatively easy. If a confined space is not recognized
as such, the accompanying safety measures probably don’t exist. Another typical cause
is that while a risk assessment may have been performed, there was no valid work permit
to provide information detailing the dangers that existed prior to entry. The employee was
not adequately trained for working in the confined space but was nonetheless required to
perform the task.

Many confined spaces are also poorly ventilated, so the release of vapors which might
otherwise be released into the open air can create an oxygen-deficient, toxic,
combustible, or otherwise harmful atmosphere. Exposure to these atmospheres can
result in immediate asphyxiation, acute or chronic poisoning, or impairment that can result
in injury. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of death in confined spaces.

Confined spaces can also pose the hazard of asphyxiation or other injury from engulfment
in the materials within the space, such as grain or sawdust within a silo.

3.2.1 TRAINING AND EDUCATION

As the statement shows “According to him, this is the first time Abdul Basit is involved in
septic tank maintenance work because before this the victim only did road cleaning work”.
He is not a competent person to do work under confined space, an individual assigned to
perform a particular task within a confined space might have limited awareness about the
operation is to be correctly carried out. This increases their risk of facing situations that
might even cost them their lives. According to DOSH, the main reason for accidents in
confined spaces is the sub-contracting of work to contractors who do not have knowledge
and experience working in a confined space. These contractors normally do not have
proper work procedures and equipment for working in a confined space. The employer
shall ensure that their employees who are involved in confined space operation have
undergone training on confined space safety course approved by the Director General
and passed the examination. A “competent person” should be appointed to carry out a
risk assessment of the conditions and the work and activities to be conducted in the

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confined space and identify the necessary safety precautions to be taken according to
the findings to avoid posing hazards to workers.

They have to ensure that the workers were certified to enter the manhole and whether
they followed the guidelines in the Industry Code of Practice (ICOP) for Working in a
Confined Space 2010. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
has worked with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) to set up the
national standards for safety in work involving confined spaces, whereby a permit will be
given to competent persons. Workers who plan to enter a confined space must have the
Authorised Entrant and Standby Person (AESP) for Confined Space certificate while the
person who supervises their activities must obtain the AESP and Authorised Gas Tester
and Entry Supervisor for Confined Space certificate.

Only those who have the certificates from approved training providers, such as NIOSH,
are allowed to carry out work in confined spaces. ICOP is legally binding and must be
adhered to by all industries and parties involved in confined work spaces. Under ICOP,
every employer and contractor must conduct a risk assessment in relation to the safety
and health risks posed to any person who may be affected by his undertaking, and take
all reasonably practicable steps to eliminate any foreseeable risk. In addition, the
employer also must ensure that employees are trained in their assigned duties.
Employers are responsible for providing their workforce with proper and sufficient
confined space training. Employers that fail to train their employees leave their staff
vulnerable to serious injury or even death, as well as leaving the company liable for any
accidents that occur.

3.2.2 WORK WITHOUT PERMITS

In this sense, Abdul Basit, 40 should not enter a confined space without a permit from the
employer. Abdul Basit’s employer must provide permit to work to keep people safe on the
job, and without these permits’ employer put Abdul Basit and team at risk. The written or
printed document that is not provided by the employer to allow and control entry into a
confined space. This is not only morally problematic, but it makes you liable from a legal
and insurance perspective too. provides a kind of guide that is agreed upon before work

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is completed. Without a complete permit to work, there is nothing to go back to and pull
up as a kind of contractual agreement of what work is expected. If you don’t complete
your permits to work, you put your business at risk of working with unskilled people who
don’t know what they’re doing.

A permit is essentially a document which sets out the work to be done and precaution to
be taken. It predetermines a safe procedure and a clear record that all foreseeable
hazards have been considered in advance. A common error is to omit contractor from
permit system. Contractors’ employee may be completely unaware of the risk in an
unfamiliar workplace. The responsibility in law is with the principal management to ensure
a safe workplace.

The confined space entry permit will document the methods used to control a confined
space’s hazards and ensure a worker is safe while entering, working in, and exiting the
space. A permit-required confined space also known as a “permit space” contains or has
the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere or any other serious safety or health
hazards. Permit-required confined spaces are characterized as a high- risk workplace,
requiring regulatory permits and strict entry and safety procedures.

3.2.3 ATMOSPHERIC HAZARD, TESTING AND MONITORING

In this case, there is no one monitor or doing a testing on test to determine levels of
oxygen present, and no dangerous amounts of flammable and or poisonous gases.
Atmospheric monitoring is the first and most important role, as most fatalities in confined
spaces are the result of atmospheric problem. A thorough assessment of the atmospheric
conditions in the space must be completed before entering the space, and should be
continued during the entire entry. This is necessary in order to check that the air is free
from both toxic and flammable gases, and that there is no deficiency in oxygen and the
air is fit to breathe. Testing should be carried out by a competent person using a suitable
gas detector which is correctly calibrated. Where the risk assessment indicates that
conditions may change in the course of work, or as a further precaution, continuous air
monitoring as advised by the competent person is required. Atmospheric Hazards
(currently present or potential to occur) of confined spaces:

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i. Oxygen deficiency-O2 levels below 19.5%
ii. Oxygen enriched atmosphere-O2 levels above 23.5%
iii. Toxic atmospheres-carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide,

chlorine, ammonia, methane

As in this case, before entering a confined space, it would be necessary to ensure the
atmosphere in the confined space is clear of hazardous substances. Atmospheric
hazards include things such as oxygen deficiencies, dusts, chemical vapours, fogs and
mists that can interfere with the body's ability to transport and utilize oxygen, or that have
negative toxicological effects on the human body. These hazards can be fatal as they
create a limited window in which to perform a rescue. The general rule is that after four
minutes without oxygen, a person in a confined space will likely suffer asphyxia resulting
in either brain damage or death same with this case “An Indonesian cleaning worker can
be believed to have inhaled ammonia and methane gas while doing cleaning work at the
septic tank line at Senai International Airport (LTAS) today” Asphyxiation caused by low
levels of oxygen. In these types of cases, oxygen has been replaced by other gases.

“Abdul Basit managed to ask for help and his two friends (Nazri and Sutrisno) tried to help
but were unsuccessful because they also almost fainted after inhaling the gas" in this
case, accidents and rescue operations related to a toxic atmosphere typically pose a
great risk for the rescuers. There are numerous reported cases where rescuers entering
a confined space lost consciousness, making the entire rescue operation riskier and more
complex. Always ventilate a confined space with normal air. To avoid an oxygen-enriched
atmosphere, never use pure oxygen to ventilate a confined space. Confined spaces
should not be entered without proper safety equipment and an approved self-contained
breathing apparatus (SCBA). All applicable OSHA guidelines must also be followed.

3.2.6 LACK OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The 1994 Occupational safety and Health Clearly define that “the management of safety
and health at work place is responsibility of those who create the risks and those who
work with the risk”. Therefor the employer and employee must play important role to
ensure the safety.

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In this case, if you are an employer, then you must take all practical steps to:

i. Ensure your employees are safe while at work
ii. Identify all hazard in place of work
iii. Where the hazard identified are significant-eliminate, isolate or minimise your

employees expose to the hazard

“Employers who fail to provide safe and healthy working environments for their employees
can be charged under Section 15 of the OSHA, which carries a maximum fine of
RM50,000 or two years’ jail or both”. Employer commonly omit to involve employees in
the development of procedures for identifying and managing hazards in workplace and
including emergency plans. If employees are still exposed to significant hazards,
employers must provide Personal Protective Equipment for them and monitor their
exposure to the hazard.

In addition, inform the employees about the hazard and the results of any monitoring of
their health or the work environment. Employers must take all practicable steps to train
employees to work safely and have them supervised by someone competent or
experience.

RESPONSIBLES PERSONS

A. Owner of industry
i. ensure that the contractor, permit issuer, entry supervisor, authorised gas
tester, authorized entrants and stand-by person fulfil their duties.
ii. inform employees and contractor of any precautions or procedures that the
employer has implemented for the protection of employees in or near confined
spaces where his employee or contractor’s employee working

B. Employer as contractor - Employers and the Self-Employed
i. obtain all available information regarding confined space hazards and entry
information from the owner of industry
ii. Developing and implementing a safe system for entering and working in a
confined space. Making suitable and sufficient arrangements for the rescue of
persons in the event of an emergency

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C. Permit issuer
i. Inform on hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the
mode, signs and symptoms, and consequences of the exposure
ii. identify all hazards and recommends control measures to ensure safe entry,
ensure there is no other incompatible activity in the vicinity of the confined
space. Authorize and endorse the permit to work

D. Supervisor
i. supervise all the activities before, during and after entry operation
ii. verify by checking that the appropriate entries have been made on the permit
to work, that all tests specified by the permit to work have been conducted and
that all procedures and equipment specified by the permit to work are in place
before the permit issuer authorize the permit to work and allow entry to begin.

E. Authorized Gas Tester
i. Identify all chemical hazards and recommends control measures to ensure safe
entry by test and interpret the reading level of gaseous.

F. Stand-by person
ii. monitor the condition of equipment required for safe entry work such as lighting,
ventilation and also communicate with entrants regularly to know the condition
or update from them.
iii. Have the knowledge of the hazards that may be faced during entry, including
information on the mode, signs and symptoms, and consequences of the
exposure, be aware of possible behavioral effects to authorized entrants due
to exposure to hazard

G. Employees
i. Employees must co-operate with their employer, taking into account
information, training and instruction received, to enable the employer
implement a safe system of work and execute effective emergency
arrangements to ensure safe working in confined spaces.
ii. Make proper use of any equipment provided including personal protective
equipment supplied by their employer.

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3.3 WAYS TO PREVENT INCIDENTS OR ACCIDENTS FROM
HAPPENING IN CONFINED SPACE AREAS

According to OSHA law (Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, section),
employers are required to provide safe and healthy workplace. The workplace must be
free from any kind of hazard such as mechanical hazard, physical hazard, and chemical
hazard. By refer to OSHA law, safety can be defined to control of recognized to achieve
an acceptable level of risk. The method to avoid hazards is to minimize the incidents or
accidents in workplace by increase the safety precautions and considering the safety
factors in construction site. By looking at the type of hazards has been chosen, it is
important for make a safety measure to preventing or reduced any incident construction
site especially in confined area spaces.

There are few ways to avoid any injuries or accidents that may occur in enclosed
workplaces, focusing on the case study selected.

A. OPERATIONAL CONTROL

3.3.1 Workers Training – Firstly, all workers need to be properly educated. This involves
training them during their course of work how to use equipment and obey safety protocols.
Employers should provide ideal, safe-to-use protective equipment. During recruiting,
reunion, and spontaneous monitoring, personal protective equipment is necessary and
should be maintained. Take the time to train workers how to use goggles, masks for the
ears, gloves, hard hats, safety shoes, earrings, or earplugs.

3.3.2 Proper Personal Protective Equipment – In addition, for their particular work, all
workers must also be fit. From safety harnesses to proper gloves and goggles, equipment
can differ. Employees do not execute tasks without the appropriate equipment in certain
circumstances.

3.3.3 Signage on Site – Signage in visible locations and in areas where procedures
should be practiced, the employer must ensure that adequate signage is displayed to
inform workers of the correct safety protocol.

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3.3.4 Valid Work Permit – Employees must have a work permit that is valid. The work
permit is usually an integral component of a secure work process and may be authorized
by law or regulation. For potentially hazardous work or other high-risk work that is not
routine and does not form part of the manufacturing process, work permits are important.
The contact between the plant manager, the supervisor and the required worker is
formalized and recorded by such a permit.
3.3.5 Test, Precaution & Rescue Plan – Moreover, they can verify or check the available
oxygen levels before employees reach a closed space such as a pit, and there is no
amount of flammable and / or hazardous gases in that enclosed workplace.

Figure 1.2: Gas Detection test prior to entering confined space.
All workers in the enclosed area should wear rescue harnesses to reduce the risk for
injury when on duty. Employee training should provide rescue procedures so that staff
are more responsive and always vigilant while the actual work is being performed. Lastly,
rescue equipment should be always near the entrance, including emergency respirators.
3.3.6 Safe System of Work – A confined space should be cleaned and cooled before
the entry of workers to avoid harmful gas, dust, or fumes. Next, increase the number of
openings in a confined space during work and therefore, improve ventilation. Also,
provision of non-sparking tools and specially protected lighting are essential inside the
confined space.

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3.4 HIRARC OF INHALATION OF AMMONIA AND METHANE
GAS DURING SEPTIC TANK CLEANING OPERATION

An incident has been reported in which a cleaning contract worker died believed to
have inhaled ammonia and methane gas whilst working in a septic tank. The incident
occurred during septic tank cleaning operation at Senai International Airport on 11th
August 2018. The victim inhaled ammonia and methane gas before fell in the 10 meters
deep septic chamber.

Risk Assessment / Risk Management
The risk assessment process helps to identify and prevent hazards at the workplace.

It also helps in the implementation of effective risk control measures before risks escalate
into accidents and injuries. It is the process of Identifying and analyzing safety and health
hazards associated with work, assessing the risks involved and prioritizing measures to
control the hazards and reduce the risks.

Identify Hazards and Those at Risks

Think about the work that is done and identify what may cause or increase the risk of
work-related accidents. With enclosed workspace area, the risk assessment should focus
on the risk factors that have been described before. Think about everyone who may be
hurt by each hazard. This means not just employees, but also contractors, self-employed
persons, and members of the public. Specific attention should be paid to young and older
workers. Consider the causes of the identified hazards.

Evaluate and Prioritize the Risks

Evaluate the risk for each hazard, which means calculating the probability of harm to
occur and how severe the health effect may be. Prioritize the risks based on the exposure,
the probability, and the severity of the effect

Decide on Preventive Action

If health risks do exist, develop a plan of action for risk reduction. Check whether the
hazard can be removed completely, whether the risk can be controlled, if protective
measures can be taken to protect the whole workforce or if personal protective equipment

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is needed to protect workers if a risk that cannot be adequately controlled by collective
preventive measures.
Take Preventive Action

Prioritize preventive and protective measures and specify short- and long-term
actions. Specifying who does what and when, when a task is to be completed and the
means allocated to implement the measures.
Monitor The Risk and Preview Preventive Measures

Evaluate, on a regular basis, to see if the risk has been reduced to an acceptable level
and if new risks have emerged. Decide if further action should be taken.
Risk Analysis can be presented in variety of ways to communicate the results of analysis
to make decision on risk control. For risk analysis that uses likelihood and severity in
qualitative method, presenting result in a risk matrix is a very effective way of
communicating the distribution of the risk throughout a plant and area in a workplace.
Risk can be calculated using the following formula:

L x S = Relative Risk
L = Likelihood
S = Severity

Figure 1.3: Likelihood Rating and Severity Rating

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Figure 1.4: Risk Assessment Matrix Level

Figure 1.5: Indication of Risk Level

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HAZARD IDENTIFICATION, RISK ASSESSMENT & RISK CONTROL
RECORD

Hazard Identification Risk Analysis Risk Control

Work Activity Hazard Which Existing Likeli Severity Risk Recommended
can Risk hood 16 Control

cause/ Control (if Measures
effect any)
- Air quality
Maintenance Poor air Deadly in Proper 44 testing
only a PPE
work quality few - Ventilation
breaths equipment
is operating
Maintenance Chemical Skin or Proper 3 26 properly
eye PPE 3 4 12
work exposures irritation - Gas
or burns, Detection
or Test
poisoning
- Ventilation
Maintenance Asphyxiants Death Proper equipment
work due to PPE is
lack of
oxygen operating
properly
Maintenance Flammable Presents Ventilation 2 5 10 - Provision
work or explosive a risk of controls of
atmospheres fire or Breathing
explosion Apparatus
- Ventilation
equipment
is operating
properly
- Gas
Detection
Test
- Ventilation
equipment
is operating
properly

Table 1.2: The HIRARC for Confined Space

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4.1 DISCUSSION

In this case, confined areas need to be taken seriously to avoid recurrence. It needs to
be better supervised by the cleaning management and the cleaning work in the septic
tank needs to be done by qualified workers. Given the risks associated with work in
confined spaces, it’s imperative that employers take training seriously. Far too many
companies emphasize increasing performance and productivity to simply get the work
done, failing to adequately train their workers on proper procedures, hazards, and
precautions.

Is the confined space entry permit needed? Yes, in this case they don’t have supervision
by a competent person and a lack of safety equipment such as self-contained breathing
apparatus (SCBA) and personal protective equipment. If a confined space has any
recognized hazards such as an atmospheric hazard, an engulfment hazard, or an
entrapment hazard, then a permit is required for entry. Only workers that have attended
the Confined Space Entry training are allowed to enter a permit-required space. Worker
training is essential to the recognition of what constitutes a confined space and the
hazards that may be encountered in them. This training should stress that death to the
worker is the likely outcome if proper precautions are not taken before entry is made.
Before entry, all confined spaces should be TESTED by a qualified person before entry
to determine whether the confined space atmosphere is safe for entry. Tests should be
made for oxygen level, flammability, and known or suspected toxic substances. The
confined space should be continuously MONITORED to determine whether the sphere
has changed due to the work being performed.

Rescue procedures should be established before entry and should be specific for each
type of confined space. The standby person should be equipped with rescue equipment
including a safety line attached to the worker in the confined space, self-contained
breathing apparatus, protective clothing, boots, etc. The standby person should use this
attached safety line to help rescue the worker. The rescue procedures should be
practiced frequently enough to provide a level of proficiency that eliminates life-

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threatening rescue attempts and ensures an efficient and calm response to any
emergency.

5.1 CONCLUSION

Based on the information derived from these case studies, in 1994 The Occupational
safety and Health and NIOSH concludes that these fatalities occurred as a result of
encountering one or more of the following potential hazards:

i. lack of natural ventilation,
ii. oxygen deficient atmosphere,
iii. flammable/explosive atmosphere,
iv. unexpected release of hazardous energy,
v. limited entry and exit,
vi. dangerous concentrations of air contaminants,
vii. physical barriers or limitations to movement, or
viii. instability of stored product.

An accident in the workplace can occur for a number of reasons. It can have modest or
fatal consequences, such as minor injury, equipment damage, or even major harm or
death in some situations. To avoid workplace accidents, employees must remain vigilant
and informed at all times, while site managers and safety officers must be familiar with
the most common causes of workplace accidents and be able to recognize risk factors
early enough to prevent them. In each of these cases there was a lack of recognition and
testing, evaluation, and monitoring prior to entry nor had a well-planned rescue been
attempted. These incident reports suggest that recognition of what is a confined space in
conjunction with the proper testing, evaluation, and monitoring of the atmosphere and
development of appropriate rescue procedures could prevent such deaths. NIOSH
investigations indicate that workers usually do not recognize that they are working in a
confined space and that they may encounter unforeseen hazards. Testing and evaluation
of the atmosphere are typically not initiated prior to entry and monitoring is not performed
during the confined space work procedures. Rescue is seldom planned and usually
consists of spontaneous reaction in an emergency situation.

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Occupational safety and health (OSHA) are one of the agencies that protects those who
are working at a workplace from being exposed to risks to their safety or health as a result
of the activities of those who are at work. In this case study, procedures taken while
reporting an incident must be detailed enough to prevent similar incidents from occurring
in the future, such as trapping in a septic tank. All the high-risk places should post warning
signs about the risks of confined spaces and gas hazards. We can minimise the risk to
workers in confined spaces with careful planning and preparation, thorough training, and
proper procedures. Confined spaces should not be entered without proper safety
equipment and an approved self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). All applicable
OSHA guidelines must also be followed. Efforts must be made by all the companies to
maintain a good working environment which has more safety efficiency.
Hence, to prevent any accidental injuries, all involved parties should maintain the safety
of the work environment. The management should focus on implementing safety
regulations and effective management practices in the work environment to protect
employees. Although the occurrence of occupational accidents is unpredictable,
protecting worker safety would decrease the risks of occupational accidents

20

REFERENCES

Bernama – Pekerja kontrak pembersihan maut- https://www.astroawani.com/berita-
malaysia/pekerja-kontrak-pembersihan-maut-dipercayai-terhidu-gas-ammonia-182791

Ammonia-
https://www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/ammonia/#:~:text=Ammonia%2C%20also%20known%20a
s%20NH,vital%20components%20of%20metabolic%20processes.

https://www.epa.gov/gmi/importance-

Methane-
methane#:~:text=Methane%20(CH4)%20is%20a,%2Dinfluenced)%20and%20natural%
20sources.

Confined Space- https://precast.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Confined-Spaces-
Summary.pdf

Comply working code- https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2021/08/23/comply-
with-code-for-working-in-confined-spaces

Fatalities record - https://www.osha.gov/fatalities

Abas A L, Said A R M, Mohammed M A A and Sathiakumar N 2013 Non-fatal
Occupational Injuries among Non-governmental Employees in Malaysia Am. J. Ind. Med.
56(1) 56

Mohammed Y D and Ishak M B 2013 A Study of Fatal and Non-Fatal Accidents in
Construction Sector Malayas. J. Civil Eng. 25(1) 106

Rahman H A, Wang H C and Mohammad F S 2015 Implementation of Risk Management
in Malaysian Construction Industry: Case Studies J. Const. Eng. 2015 6

GOVERNMENT OF MALAYSIA. Factories and Machinery (Safety, Health and Welfare)
Regulations 1970 [Revised 1983]. Kuala Lumpur, JPN, 1983. P.U. (A) 114/1983