Intrinsic Risks of “Enter and Work in Confined Spaces”

 The uncertainty of working in a confined space environment involves:

• Reduced Oxygen levels

• Chamber or tank flooding

• Harmful fumes

• Dangers involved due to confined workspace which restrict safe operation

The risks are unknown as to what may happen no one can know in advance. Thus a complete assessment and a safe operational planning is required and should be custom made according to the confined space restrictions. The location should be taken into consideration before proceeding further. Precautions include a compulsory and a mandatory training to the specific team of workers who are going to undertake the task

Precautions to be taken before entering a confined space

A risk management and in-depth assessment is since it mitigates the risks involved in a confined space. A supervisor has to have backup and rescue plan for the worker who is assigned the task to work in confined space. Constrained and Limited space access also leads to many hazards. So a proper pre-planning is compulsory before entering a confined space. A quick, safe and easy to follow rescue plan should be developed in case of emergency.

Do you know why evacuations are followed when there is work involved in a confined space? Since there are various hazards associated while working in a confined space thus to avoid unprecedented accidents to people there evacuations are done beforehand. Also an extra PPE is kept at handy when entering and working in a confined space. A supervisor should have chalked out all of these mentioned here for a worker’s safety:

• Operational details

• Details of the rescue plans and 

• Emergency operations.

Confined space approach should be limited to a worker who is trained and certified to enter and work in confined spaces. All the PPE should be checked and tested ok for usage. Before starting the work there should be proper examination of:

• Hazardous material or fumes

• Clarity of access and exit locations

• Proper lighting inside the space

• The types of emergency alarms and rescue operations in the event of an unforeseen disaster.

Last but not the least the training and work supervision level of the assigned worker and supervisor should be specific and clear. A very specific requirement which comes under the level of supervising to work in a confined space is a “Permit to work” implementation. This further reduces the accidents involved while working. This undertaking clearly mentions:

• Confined space training

• Plan details of the procedures and the steps to be followed

• Constrained access to only those who meet all the training requirements

And those who have a proper training are certified and licensed with a “Work Permit” in the confined space.