Confined Spaces: Confined Space Safety Precautions
Confined Spaces: Confined Space Safety Precautions
David
Confined Spaces: Confined Space Safety Precautions:
Confined Space Safety Precautions:
Whenever possible, avoid entering confined spaces. Determine whether the work is truly necessary or if it can be done in another way that avoids the need to enter.
If entering a confined space is unavoidable, you must follow a safe system of work. Have emergency procedures in place before starting work. The results of your risk assessment will help you identify the risks and necessary precautions.
Safe Systems of Work:
Ensure you have all the relevant information, knowledge, and experience to perform the work. Click here for Confined space training course
There must be a site-specific method statement for all employees to follow before work is performed.
You may need a permit to work on the system.
Ventilation:
You will need to ensure there is adequate ventilation in the workplace. It may be necessary to introduce temporary ventilation before beginning.
If the area has restricted or no natural air supply, it may be necessary to use a breathing apparatus to provide the user with an air supply.
- Isolation
- gas
- water
- electricity.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Ensure all your employees have adequate PPE to perform their work.
Care must be taken to ensure that the PPE used does not present other hazards. This may include overheating or restricting communication or movement.
- Ensure your employees have
- head, hand, and foot protection
- eye and hearing protection
- waterproof and thermal clothing
- respirators and breathing apparatus
- appropriate safety harnesses.
Emergency Procedures:
Make emergency plans before beginning any work. You must take appropriate and sufficient measures to ensure that employees can be safely rescued if necessary. You should also consider
- First aid procedures
- The safety of rescuers
- Liaison with emergency services.
These procedures should be appropriate to the hazard presented by the activity.
There must be an effective means of communication to raise the alarm both from within the confined space and from someone outside.
Work in confined spaces is often carried out at night, on weekends, and during times when the facility is closed, such as holidays. Consider how the alarm can be raised.
Provide rescue and resuscitation equipment. This will depend on the likely emergencies identified.
It may be necessary to shut down any adjacent plant before attempting an emergency rescue. Ensure access and the means for safe shutdown are available.
Consider how local emergency services would be informed of an incident. Plan your access route. Also consider what information about the hazards needs to be provided to them upon arrival.
Training:
Training is essential in all confined space work. Ensure that all employees receive adequate and appropriate training to perform their tasks in the workplace. This will include emergency procedures and, if necessary, training in the use of breaching equipment.
