Confined Space Working Safety Study
Advancing Safety in Confined Spaces: Key Insights from Our Landmark Study
EM&I is dedicated to leading the way in Asset Integrity Management, not only through our services but also by investing in critical research that benefits the entire Oil, Gas, and Renewable Energy industry. We are proud to have commissioned a comprehensive Confined Space Working Safety Study conducted by the esteemed Institute of Energy and Environmental Flows at the University of Cambridge. This research provides vital data and insights into mitigating risks associated with one of the most hazardous industrial activities.
The Critical Challenge: Quantifying Confined Space Dangers
Working in confined spaces such as tanks, vessels, and other enclosed areas on Floating Production Storage and Offloading Units (FPSOs) and other marine vessels presents significant and often underestimated risks. For years, the industry has recognized these dangers, but a clear quantification of the risk through risk analysis was needed to reduce potential risks and drive meaningful change.
This study aimed to:
- Objectively quantify the safety risks associated with confined space entry (CSE) and operations in oil and gas sectors.
- Review existing regulations and best practices.
- Provide guidance on risk mitigation strategies, particularly focusing on the ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) principle.
Key Findings from the Study: A Clear Call for Action
The research, supervised by Professor Andrew Woods, has delivered crucial insights into the level of risk in confined space operations:
- Elevated Fatality Risks: The study reveals that the current risk of a fatality in a confined space is significantly higher than broadly acceptable safety levels, necessitating a focus on reducing potential risks.
- On an FPSO, the risk is estimated at approximately 8.6 x 10-4 per person per year, the potential risks that occur in confined spaces are significant.
- On a general marine vessel, the risk is around 1.3 x 10-4 per person per year.
- These figures are substantially higher than the broadly acceptable risk level of confined space activities in offshore environments. 1 x 10-6 per person per year often cited by regulatory bodies like the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
- Significant Human Cost: The study references UK HM Treasury data from 2020, which values the prevention of a fatality at approximately GBP 2 million (around US$2.75 million), underscoring the substantial economic, alongside the ethical, imperative to prevent such incidents.
- Persistent Incidents: Despite existing safety protocols, fatal accidents in confined spaces continue to occur, emphasizing the need for improved resilience engineering. The study analysed historical data, including 12 fatalities on FPSOs over a 7-year period (2015-2021).
- Limitations of Procedural Changes: While improved procedures are beneficial, they cannot entirely eliminate the risks associated with human entry into confined spaces.
The ALARP Principle: Justifying Investment in Safer Practices
A core theme of the study is the ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) principle. This principle requires that risks must be reduced to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable to mitigate hazards in enclosed spaces.
- The study suggests that expenditure to mitigate risk should be considered in “gross disproportion” to the cost of an incident.
- Given the high fatality risks identified, significant investment in risk reduction measures, including advanced technologies, is not only justified but essential to meet ALARP criteria.
Pioneering the Future: Technology’s Role in Eliminating Risks
A crucial conclusion of the study is the potential of technology to fundamentally change how we approach confined space work:
- Reducing Human Entry: Technologies that eliminate or reduce the need for human entry into confined spaces are highlighted as a key step forward.
- Enhanced Safety and Efficiency: Adopting such technologies can significantly mitigate risks that occur during confined space entry, fatalities, injuries, and long-term health issues (though the latter were outside this study’s direct scope for quantification). This also leads to more efficient operations.
- EM&I’s Innovative Solutions: EM&I is at the forefront of developing and deploying innovative inspection, repair, and maintenance solutions that minimize or eliminate the need for personnel to enter hazardous confined spaces, directly aligning with the study’s recommendations.
EM&I: Committed to Delivering Integrity and Leading Safety Forward
By sponsoring this independent study with the University of Cambridge, EM&I reaffirms its commitment to:
- Proactive Safety Leadership: Going beyond compliance to actively seek and promote solutions that enhance safety across the industry.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Providing the industry with robust data to make informed decisions about risk management.
- Supporting Our Clients: We aim to enhance FPSO safety through innovative strategies in confined space entry and operations. Helping our clients in the Oil, Gas, and Renewable Energy sectors achieve the resilience engineering necessary for effective FPSO safety, upholding the highest safety standards while maintaining asset integrity and operational efficiency.
This study provides important insights for all stakeholders, including operators, regulators, and service providers, encouraging a collective effort to improve safety in confined space entry and operations.
Download the Full Study
Gain deeper insights into the methodologies, data, and comprehensive findings of this critical research, offering a new perspective on safety measures. We invite you to download the complete “Confined Space Working Safety Study.”
Contact us to learn more about our innovative diverless solutions.