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Working in an open area where there's plenty of space to move around is often ideal. But, sometimes, workers have no choice but to enter a confined space to complete a task. It’s extremely risky (and often a violation of safety laws and regulations) for a lone worker to enter a confined space without a well-trained team to assist them.
The truth is, even with a dedicated team outside the confined space and a workable rescue plan, confined spaces can be dangerous. Using the right confined space equipment, such as a safety harness, a lifeline and proper anchorage, along with following strict safety protocols are vital steps in keeping workers safe.
Before you can implement a plan to keep your employees safe in confined spaces, you need to know exactly what a confined space is. According to OSHA and Canadian Occupational Health and Safety regulations, confined spaces can be found above ground, underground, or inside a building or other structure. There are certain characteristics that define a confined space including:
Examples of confined spaces in industrial settings include, but are not limited to:
If you have any doubts about whether a particular area is a confined space, consult an expert on safety regulations and requirements specific to your industry. You can also visit our dedicated to confined space
Confined spaces are surprisingly common and it's not unusual for a worker to have to enter one, regardless of occupation. No matter the type of confined space or how often it's accessed, it is vitally important to identify the hazards workers will face. Only then can you determine how to mitigate the risks and eliminate the hazards, so your workers stay safe. Common confined space hazards include:
Due to the enclosed nature of many confined spaces, gases, vapor, and dangerous chemicals can often build up inside them. As the pollution builds up, the oxygen levels in the air drop and workers can experience a variety of problems including asphyxiation.
Protecting workers from airborne contaminants inside a confined space begins with continuous air quality testing. Only when the oxygen levels are normal, and no poisonous substances are detected should people enter. If this is not possible, workers should use breathing apparatus to avoid inhaling toxic substances.
When working in confined spaces, there's a real risk of becoming trapped. Whether the container holds grains, plastic pellets, water, or a chemical, a worker can become engulfed if they aren't properly protected. The first step in keeping your workers safe is to educate them on the engulfment dangers they face at work.
Maintaining worker's safety when dealing with confined spaces where engulfment may occur comes down to providing adequate safety equipment to your team. Personal protection devices like a lanyard, lifeline, safety harness, and anchorage devices are a must as they allow for a swift non entry rescue. Frequent, clear communication with the rest of the team, especially those in a position to perform a rescue, is also of top importance.
Some confined spaces present a fall hazard in addition to environmental and engulfment hazards, and you shouldn't ignore this potential hazard. Remember that both OSHA and Canadian regulations require fall protection whenever employees are working at height, or when a fall hazard is present.
A well-fitted safety harness coupled with a lanyard or lifeline may be used to arrest a worker's fall while entering, exiting, or working inside a confined space. It's imperative that the equipment is inspected before each use and that employees are properly trained on how to use the safety equipment to protect themselves and others.
While the confined space requirements mentioned refer to the person entering the space and their safety, this is not the only concern. It's also important to provide protection for the attendant and rescue team, In fact, one could argue that the safety of these individuals is paramount.
When a worker needs to be rescued from a confined space, time is of the essence. A highly trained rescue team with the appropriate rescue equipment can extract a worker and get them to safety quickly. A well-rounded rescue team will have a strong mix of rescue equipment, training, and experience to keep them all safe during an extraction.
Although your main objective is to make money and grow your business, you can't get there at the cost of safety. That means mitigating or eliminating as many potential hazards as possible. For example, you need to be mindful of these confined space requirements:
Protecting workers from the hazards of confined spaces isn't an easy task, especially since you can't always predict everything about the space they'll be working in. Whether your employees are entering a confined space they've never been in, or if this is a frequent place they have to enter to work, you need some key pieces of confined space equipment to maintain their safety:
Workplace safety isn't just a good idea, it's your obligation under federal and local law. Every aspect of your operation needs to be scrutinized in order to keep the whole team safe while they work in confined spaces. Enlist the help of a qualified safety expert who understands your industry to determine whether you're compliant or if you need to make some improvements.
If you're concerned that your confined space equipment is inadequate or not compliant, contact the experts at Tractel® to discuss your options. Our experts will be happy to assist you in finding the regulation-compliant safety equipment you need to maintain a safe workplace, no matter how wide open or confined it may be.
Visit our confined space page to learn more about our solutions. We can also help you to find the right solution for your application.
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