Confined Space Safety Strategies for Underground Utility Workers

Entering a confined space presents a variety of hazards to employees that must be addressed so no one potentially gets hurt. Per OSHA confined space requirements, safety managers in the electrical/power utilities field must provide their techs with compliant utility worker fall safety equipment such as a safety harness, lanyard, and lifeline, as well as confined space safety equipment like a portable tripod or other retrieval system.

What Is a Confined Space in the Electrical/Power Utility Industry?

Workers in this industry encounter a wide variety of workspaces as they perform their duties out in the field, and knowing personally what constitutes a confined space may be difficult for techs on the job. To help employers and employees be aware of the dangers of confined spaces, OSHA has defined them as when the working area meets the following criteria:

• The area is not designed for people. 

• The space is not intended for continuous occupancy.

• It is large enough for workers to enter and perform certain tasks.

Examples of confined spaces include vaults, pits, manholes, tunnels, equipment housings, HVAC ductwork, water and sewer pipelines, crawl spaces, areas between walls, and similar spaces. As mentioned above, however, techs in the field may encounter confined spaces not listed here.

What Risks Do Utility Workers Face in Confined Spaces?

Confined Space Fall Hazards

There is a real risk of physical injury to workers as they enter, exit, and work in a confined space. The most common, and urgent risk to address is the risk of a fall. Workers must often ascend and descend ladders inside of hatches or other small openings to access the utility system. An exposed opening also puts other workers on the upper level at risk of falling. And in some field scenarios, like in water and sewer treatment facilities, damp, slippery conditions put workers at an even higher risk of slip-and-fall accidents.

Other Confined Space Hazards

While falls are the most common hazard, confined spaces in the utility industry can contain a number of hazards. For example, if the oxygen levels drop or increase, a worker may pass out and become unable to extract themselves. Water or liquids could flood the space, engulfing the worker. Electric shock is another very real threat when working inside a confined space. Finally, psychological issues can affect workers who are working in a tight space with limited mobility.

What Are OSHA's Confined Space Requirements for Fall Protection?

OSHA takes confined space fall protection seriously and so should you and your technicians. In fact, fall protection should be your number one safety concern in the majority of cases. Therefore, it's vital that you understand the regulations to avoid costly injuries and non-compliance penalties. Referencing OSHA 1910.146, we find the following key requirements with regard to fall protection and confined spaces:

• Employees must be informed of the presence of a confined space and the dangers it contains.

• Workers must be issued, and properly use adequate personal fall protection equipment as well as compliant passive fall protection devices and equipment.

• Only approved individuals should enter confined spaces.

• An attendant must be present when a worker is accessing a confined space.

• Entrances to confined spaces must be protected when open to prevent falls or injuries from falling objects.

What Is the Best Way to Protect Workers in Confined Spaces?

Working in a confined space can be a challenge, even for seasoned utility workers. However, if proper precautions are taken, the work can be completed safely and in a timely manner. Regardless of how often confined spaces are accessed, the following steps will ensure safety and compliance:

1. Identify and Document Confined Spaces - Knowing where the confined spaces are is the first step. A walk-through and inspection of the worksite with a qualified safety expert is highly recommended. You should also speak to your techs about confined spaces they've encountered.

2. Develop a Confined Space Safety Plan - A written safety plan that's easily accessible to your technicians is a must. Be sure your plan includes specific steps, procedures, and expectations. Insist all employees memorize the material.

3. Institute Training Procedures - Fall protection training is vital for every employee from the newest to your most senior supervisor. Schedule regular refresher sessions to ensure everyone knows and understands their role in keeping everyone safe.

4. Develop a Rescue Plan - In case of emergency, workers need a set of procedures to follow for a fast, safe rescue. 

5. Provide OSHA-Compliant Protective Equipment - Your employees need to be protected from any potential hazard, including falls, with the proper OSHA-compliant equipment.

Utility Worker Fall Safety Equipment Must-Haves

Fall protection equipment for utility workers can be similar to that of any other industry. However, there are some confined space safety solutions designed specifically to help descending into, ascending out of, and rescuing a potentially incapacitated coworker from a confined space. For a complete confined space fall protection system, you should consider:

Safety Harnesses

A safety harness is one of the most common pieces of a fall protection system for confined spaces. Occasionally called a lineman harness in the electrical and power utility field, these lightweight devices allow for free movement while allowing a tech to be connected to an anchor or a portable tripod by a safety lanyard.

Safety Lanyards

A shock-absorbing safety lanyard connects a tech’s safety harness to an anchor point, allowing a more controlled descent in the event of a fall than a static line. It can also arrest a fall in progress, preventing the worker from contacting the level below.

Anchor Points

Confined spaces are often located in areas where it's difficult to find solid anchorage. A portable tripod will provide a secure point for a safety line to connect to, no matter the location. This is pivotal, both in the normal operation of work in these confined spaces, as well as in the event of a rescue retrieval.

Confined Space Safety Equipment for Utility Workers

Safety isn't an option for electrical techs out in the field, especially when they need to enter confined spaces. Contact us at Tractel® for expert help and advice in choosing the appropriate utility worker fall safety equipment for your confined space needs.

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