What is Confined Space ? How to work safely in Confined space ?

Confined space safety  program

 In this article we will discuss about following topics

•  identify all confined spaces
•  evaluate confined spaces  for hazards
•  establish protection  procedures to control hazards
•  set permit procedures  for entering
•  develop a rescue team

What is a Confined Space ?

Any area could be confined space if following criteria apply

Has limited means of access/egress,  a  person , worker can bodily enter and perform task and which is  not for permanent occupancy .

If the above definition apply on an area we can say it Confined space. examples are tank, vessels, manhole, pipes, wells , trench etc.

 examples of confined spaces

Hazards in Confined Space ?

I. One of the first hazard associated with confined space is hazardous atmosphere and  Oxygen deficiency which is the biggest cause of confined space fatalities worldwide,hazardous atmosphere means Unsafe amounts of a flammable gas, vapor, mist, or dust or Harmful levels of a hazardous substance like H2S, CO,  Osha standard says oxygen  must be between 19.5 to 23.5 Percent . When oxygen level is below 19.5 percent we call it Oxygen Deficiency  and  and when its level is above 23.5 percent we call it Oxygen enrichment which increase fire and explosion hazard ,

           Lack of  Oxygen will cause :

•           Shortness of breath

•           Disorientation

•           Coordination problems

•           Weakness

•           Nausea and Vomiting

II. Engulfment  by materials

 Other big hazard is engulfment by matrials for example a tank full of chemicals, water or any fluid substance, or any fine thin particles in confined space can cause engulfment .

iii. Dangerous configuration or shape

Trapping inside confide space is also a big hazard , Entrance and exit are not normal in mostly cases workers have to enter very narrow spaces or hard to reach target area so once they reach the target area they stuck there and can't move let's consider a worker is moving inside a pipe which is narrow on other side at one place worker will feel suffocation and difficulty in movement.

iv. Serious safety or health hazards

1. Electricity

Standard for Electricity use is  110 volt for lightings with Grount Fault Circuit Interruptor (GFCI) during normal  operations and should use  safe (non-spark producing) 24 volt during situations wherehydro carbon, flammable,and  explosive atmospheres exists.  

 for portable equipment first it should have double insulation and protected by GFCI and also don't cause slip trip hazard inside confined space.

2. Machinery

Machinery parts movement is also a big hazard like agitators, rakes augers, rollers  or conveyors

make sure all the moving parts are isolated , deenergized and taged before starting work inside confined space.and also make sure all the pipes and ducts are closed and isolated before entry.

3. Extreme Heat  and  Extreme Cold

Inside confined space depending on circumstances extreme heat or extreme cold environment possible

4. Chemical Exposure

Working with chemicals you should first read MSDS of that chemical from which you will aware all of the possible hazards associated with that chemical and you will know symptoms of exposure and first aid techniques.

Other hazards are 

Falling Objects

Being wedge into narrow space

Suffocation

Debris, Wet surfaces

These hazards become more serious because rescuers will have difficulty in reaching you for help.

In this article we discussed about Confined space identification, examples and most of the associated hazards which may arise during work, in the next article we will discuss further about Confined space procedures for controlling hazards, Permit procedures and how to arrange a rescue team . If you have any question feel free to comment.

Confined space