BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A confined space can be any enclosed area that if unventilated could contain a toxic gas/vapour,or insufficient oxygen to support life. In many cases the dangers cannot be detected by the senses. It is important to remember that many deaths occur whilst attempting to rescue from a confined space.
HAZARDS
- Too much or too little oxygen.
- Presence of toxic and/or flammable atmospheres.
- Biological hazards for example Weils’s disease from rats.
- Physical hazards such as noise, dust, temperature.
- Structural hazards due to the condition of the confined area.
- Introduction of existing mechanical or electrical equipment.
HEALTH AND SAFETY POINTS
- Before entry a full assessment of the space must be made by a competent person.
- No person must enter the space without the relevant information, instruction and training.
- A permit to enter system must be put into operation.
- You must be fit and healthy to enter a confined space.
- No entry can ba made until monitoring of the space has been carried out depending on the assessment details.
- No person must enter a confined space without an ‘Observer’ on the outside of the operation.
- Suitable and adequate rescue equipment must be available at the place of work and in good condition.
- Rescue equipment may vary from escape equipment to breathing apparatus therefore the training must be in line with the equipment to be used.
- A person injured in a confined space cannot be rescued unless he is able to communicate his/her condition to the observer, this requirement is the same in any area even if it has been passed as safe to enter.
- Emergency precedures must be in place before the work can commence.
- No confined space that has been disignated ‘not safe to enter’ can be accessed without breathing apparatus.
- Before any work is carried out in a confined space contact the safety department/adviser to enable an adequate risk assessment to be made.
- Wear any protective clothing that has been provided.
- Don’t ear or drink in a confined space.
- Smoking is strictly prohibited in any confined area.
- Any use of naked flame ie. Welding must be under a hot work permit.
QUSTION TIME
- What should be done before any confined space is entered?
- When can a person be rescued from a confined space?
SAFETY REMINDER
Don’t enter a confined space until the risks have been assessed. Many people are killed trying to rescue other people from confined space.