When confined space entry is part of a job, it requires extensive training, carefully written policies and specialized equipment. However, it’s important for everyone to know something about the dangers of confined spaces and to be able to recognize those dangers, both on and off-the-job. Here’s a brief overview of confined spaces you can share with your workers.

The Dangers of Confined Spaces

A confined space is traditionally defined as an area large enough for a person to enter but not designed for continuous occupancy. Confined space entry is not something to be undertaken lightly. It requires training, protective equipment, correct procedures and authorization. Even in an emergency, you have to follow all precautions. About half of the confined space fatality victims are rescuers. The chain of events repeats: Somebody gets into trouble in a confined space and someone else rushes in without using a proper respirator. Then two people are down. There have been cases of one rescuer after another dying in a confined space.

Confined spaces are dangerous for many reasons:

• They may be poorly ventilated, causing an accumulation of toxic gases or hazardous airborne substances, or a lack of oxygen.
• There may be moving equipment, slippery or dangerous surfaces, electric shock hazards, falling objects, water or other liquid contents, chemicals or extreme temperatures. Noise, poor visibility or shifting materials such as grain or sand could be present.
• Atmospheric hazards cause most deaths in confined spaces. Instead of using test equipment, people think they can rely on their sight, taste and smell to detect toxic atmospheres.
• The air in confined spaces can present respiratory difficulties and other physical distress. When there is too little oxygen in a confined space, a person can smother. Toxic gases, dusts and fumes can cause injury or death when inhaled or contacted by the skin.
• Fire and explosion are other dangers that may be present in confined space atmospheres. These could be ignited when a space is ventilated with oxygen instead of air. Flammable gases, dusts or vapors can also be set off by a spark.

Obtain Proper Training

You should never enter a confined space without training. And don’t misunderstand: This Safety Talk! is not intended to replace confined space training. It’s only to serve as an introduction to the hazards and some of the procedures. Written procedures and an entry permit system are essential. Here are some of the guidelines likely to be included:

• Take atmospheric precautions. The atmosphere should be tested before you enter - by trained people using the right equipment. The confined space should be ventilated until it tests safe, and possibly afterwards. If this is not possible, the right respiratory protection should be worn.
• Lock out energy sources. Lines carrying gases, liquids or solids should be disconnected or blocked off before you enter. Valves and electrical circuits should be locked out and tagged.
• Remove possible sources of ignition. Use non-sparking tools and lighting devices in a potentially flammable atmosphere.
• Be fully prepared before entry. Make sure you are wearing the required personal protective equipment (PPE) including a hardhat, safety-toed footwear, gloves and your breathing apparatus.
• Wear a lifeline. The lifeline should be connected from your body harness to a winch outside the confined entrance so you can be pulled out in case of emergency.
• Have trained and equipped personnel standing by outside the confined space, for communication and rescue if necessary.

Conclusion

Whether it’s a manhole to a sewage system, an underground vault for an electrical system, a silo or a poorly ventilated crawl space, confined spaces can pose serious hazards. Don’t go in unless you are properly trained and equipped.

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