Introduction to Fire Safety Management

15.13.3 Safe system of work
The precise precautions required in a safe system of 
work will depend on the nature of the confi ned space 
and the risk assessment fi ndings although the main ele-
ments to consider in this are detailed below:
Elements to consider in a safe system of work
Supervision 
Ventilation 
PPE and
Lighting
RPE
Competence
Removal
Portable
Static
for the work 
of residues 
gas cylinders electricity
and 
internal 
combustion 
engines
Communications Isolation
Gas supplied Smoking
from
by pipes and
gases, 
hoses
liquids 
and 
other 
free 
fl owing 
materials
Testing/
Isolation
Access 
Emergencies
monitoring from and 
and
the atmosphere 
mechanical egress 
rescue
and 
electrical 
equipment
Gas purging 
Selection
Fire 
Limited
and use of prevention 
working
suitable 
time
equipment
Factors to be assessed
Factor Example
The general conditions of
Previous contents, residues,
the confi ned spaces 
contamination, oxygen 
defi ciency/enrichment, 
physical 
dimensions
Hazards arising directly from Cleaning chemicals that may
the work to be undertaken
be used, sources of ignition,
in the confi ned space 
e.g. hot work or sparks from 
tools to be used
The need to isolate the
Entry of substances from
confi ned space to prevent
outside by inadvertent
dangers from outside 
operation of machinery, 
automatic delivery lines or 
external 
processes 
generating fumes, etc.
The requirement for
Possible emergencies should
emergency rescue
be anticipated and the
arrangements equipment/facilities 
needed 
for a rescue identifi ed