Do you ever work in a confined space? There are many types of
confined spaces-tanks, silos, pits, tunnels, pipes, boilers-the
list goes on and on. No matter what the type, confined spaces
have something in common. They have limited ways to get in and
out, and the atmosphere within them could be dangerous. This
week's Safety Topic discusses what you should
know to work in a confined space safely.
A confined space is a space that has these three
characteristics: It has limited openings for entry and exit, it
is large enough to permit a worker to enter, and it is not
designed for continuous worker occupancy. The characteristics of
a confined space cause it to present unique hazards. Yesterday's
miners knew some of the dangers of a confined space. Have you
ever heard about the canary that died? Miners once took a bird
into the mine. When the bird died, the miners knew the atmosphere
within the mine was getting dangerous. The death of the bird told
the miners it was time to leave. Today we have more sophisticated
ways of testing the atmosphere within a confined space, but the
principle is the same: Check the atmosphere to make sure it's
safe to work in the confined space.
Confined spaces present many dangers-some of which the miners
of yesterday never knew. These are some of the common ones:
lack of oxygen, presenting a suffocation hazard
fire or explosion hazards from an accumulation of
flammable vapors
health hazards from toxic vapors
difficulty exiting the space in the event of an emergency
cramped spaces to work in, resulting in a danger of being
caught in equipment
poor visibility
high levels of noise
temperature extremes
Regulatory agencies require workplaces to have a plan for
working in confined spaces safely. If you work in a confined
space, you should know your company's procedures for safely
entering into the space and working in it. Confined spaces should
be identified and classified, and safe entry procedures
developed. Some confined spaces are called "permit-required
confined spaces," meaning a permit is required for entry
into the confined space. In addition to the normal
characteristics of a confined space, permit-required confined
spaces present one or more of these hazards:
has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere
could contain material capable of engulfing someone
entering the space
has an internal configuration such that a person could be
trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by
a floor, which slopes downward and tapers off to a
smaller cross section (e.g., a grain silo)
contains any other recognized serious hazard
In general, these are the things you should be aware of before
you enter a confined space:
know how to enter it safely
know how to exit quickly
know that the atmosphere in the space is tested and found
to be free of dangerous levels of toxic or flammable
vapors, and that there is sufficient oxygen
know that the atmosphere within the space is going to
remain safe while you are working
know the rescue plan in the event of an emergency, and
make sure the proper rescue equipment is available and in
good condition
know that another person outside the confined space is
keeping an eye on you as you work, and that they know the
rescue plan, too
know what other procedures are necessary to follow to
work safely, such as locking out energy sources
Another very important thing to remember is what to do if
someone working in a confined space becomes ill or injured. In
the event of such an emergency, you should never enter a confined
space to rescue someone without the proper equipment, training,
and atmospheric testing. Chances are, whatever caused the illness
or injury will claim you as a victim too.
It is possible to work safely in a confined
space, but it's a task that requires careful planning and
preparation. Don't be tempted to take shortcuts when it comes to
confined spaces. Follow all safety precautions and don't hesitate
to speak up if you are unsure of the correct procedures. You play
the most important role of all when it comes to working safely.
By consistently following safe work procedures and not taking
chances, you will be working safely for a long time to come.
