Key Checklist for A Safe System of Work in Confined Spaces

 

A confined space refers to a work area with limited openings for entry and exit, featured with space unintended for human occupancy and space large enough for a person to enter and conduct work. To prevent any kind of fatality, it is necessary to create a safe work system in such spaces.

One may note that there are various courses available offering enter and work in confined spaces training. Such institutes in Australia help aspiring individuals to ensure their safety, as well as others,' when working in such conditions. One may choose to work at heights ticket online but at the same time get trained by opting such courses and know some of the key checklists that can help in safety while working.

The key significant checklist that ensures safety for those working in confined spaces

Testing or monitoring of the atmosphere

At times, confined spaces are contaminated with disastrous fumes or vapour in the air. This can be fatal for those who enter the confined spaces to carry out the necessary work. Hence, there is the need for pre-monitoring or testing of the atmosphere of such confined spaces. Oxygen concentration and hazardous gas presence should be checked for safe breathing. 

Communication

During the work, communication should be made possible among those workers performing any task inside the confined spaces and employees present outside. Immediate availability of help through systems such as radios, tugs on ropes, telephones and speech should be effectively present. Easy and effective communication must be made possible despite the breathing apparatus.

It is also required to maintain equipment for emergency procedures that do not give way to inflammable and potentially explosive atmospheres.

Ventilation

Ventilation helps remove hazardous substances and help with oxygen availability. Confined spaces must have adequate ventilation methods applied to allow easy and clean breathing. This can be made possible with trunking, exhaust fans, ejectors, and blower fans. Note that oxygen concentration should not be less or more than the standard levels.

Fresh air may also be drawn inside without allowing contamination due to pollutants.

Supervision

There is always a supervisor placed for every confined space, who looks after the areas of work, and so it is the supervisor's responsibility to ensure safe working confined spaces. One should also make sure for a proper operation of the permit-to-work system. While it is important to take all necessary precautionary measures, it is also equally important to let those in the vicinity know about the same.

Allowing only adequately trained workers inside

Last but not least, those with adequate training and experience only should be allowed inside such confined spaces. The workers should be able to perform the required tasks and be aware of the conditions inside. They should also be trained to ask for help when in need and should only remain inside for the assigned time frame.