Improving workplace health & safety through collaboration

Articles Confined Spaces

Confined Spaces

Principal Author / Publisher:Kim Minju

Last Edited: May 28, 2020 By: Erwin Lagrimas

Article Rating:
Body

What is a confined space?

Confined spaces are spaces which have limited or restricted means for entry or exit and are not designated for continuous occupancy. Some examples include manholes, crawl spaces, attics, turbines, silos, boilers, pits, water mains, sewers, storm drains, incinerators, basements and tanks. OSHA defines two types of confined spaces. The first type is a “permit space” (aka permit-required confined space) which requires a permit for entry, and the second type is a “confined space” (aka non-permit-required confined space) which does not require a permit for entry.

The permit space has at least one of the following characteristics:

1. Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere;

2. Contains material that has the potential to engulf an entrant;

3. Has walls that converge inward or floors that slope downward and taper into a smaller area which could trap or asphyxiate an entrant;

4. Or contains any other recognized safety or health hazard, such as unguarded machinery, exposed live wires or heat stress.

Confined spaces that do not have one of these characteristics, are defined simply as a “confined spaces” or “non-permit confined space”.

What hazards are associated with confined spaces?

Hazards are relative to every confined space but usually include:

1. Potential for hazardous atmospheres because of limited air supply and volume

2. Potential for engulfing an entrant depending on what materials are present in the space

3. Potential for trapping or asphyxiation because of the space’s internal design and configuration such as tapering walls or floors which slope downward to a smaller cross section

What controls may be used to protect yourself from confined space injuries and illnesses?

1. Ensure a competent person has identified the confined space as a “permit-space” or “non-permit confined space” before you enter

2. Ensure the employer has a written permit space program in place prior to entry of a permit-space

3. Ensure you do not enter permit-spaces unless you have been formally trained, certified and have the confidence you need to enter and exit the space safely

4. Ensure that your employer has a rescue plan and emergency services in place before you enter a permit-space

5. Know the type of substance or material that has been inside the space and the hazards associated with that substance or material

6. Ensure the space has been tested for hazardous atmosphere potential prior to entering the space

7. Ensure that monitoring of the space’s atmosphere is planned prior to entry.




Keywords
Article Rating

This article has been read 252 times.

DISCLAIMER: All contents published on this website is for informational purposes only. In as much as we encourage write-ups to be originally written by the claimed authors, we might not be able to control those who will try to copy articles from other authors/writers. In view of the above, the owner and management of Safetyhow.com will not be liable for any loses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of the contents herein. Likewise, the owner and management will not be liable for any errors or omissions in the information stated. Furthermore, we highly recommend that any form of plagiarism or libel committed as a result or implication of the articles written by any specific author in this platform be reported to us immediately so that appropriate action will be given.

BROWSE ARTICLE BY CATEGORY

BROWSE ARTICLE BY INDUSTRY