CONFINED SPACE ENTRY
A roadmap to understanding confined space entry, common hazards, safety equipment and solutions.
“We commonly see accidents that result from a lack of understanding the hazards associated with working in confined space,” said Mike Kay (pictured), Director for Resource Safety Services, a Safety Products Inc company. “A written procedure, including a rescue program and training, are imperative for safe confined space work."
Want to learn more about:
• What is a confined space vs. a permit required confined space?
• What is the typical equipment for compliance?
• Equipment checklist and common mistakes?
Download our FREE Planning for Confined Space Entry Guide
CONFINED SPACE MUST HAVES
There are common issues related with the use of safety equipment. Companies use either the wrong equipment, use equipment inappropriately, use damaged equipment, or equipment that has exceeded its useful life, or simply don’t use safety equipment at all.
Below are key categories of confined space equipment:
RESCUE & RETRIEVAL
A rescue and retrieval system will commonly include a tripod or davit system for lowering/lifting workers, a winch, and a three-way self-retracting lifeline (SRL-R).
HARNESSES
Workers in confined spaces will wear a full-body harness, with a retrieval line attached at the center of the entrant’s back near shoulder level, above the entrant’s head.
GAS MONITORS
Durable and reliable, this monitor detects up to 4 gas hazards and combines straightforward one button operation with an integrated sampling pump.
VENTILATION
Ventilating with fresh air reduces or removes potential atmospheric hazards. And when you introduce fresh air, you provide your work crew with a more comfortable work environment.
MANHOLE SUPPLIES
There are multiple ways to make confined space entry easier and safer for your work crew. Different option of manhole equipment can add convenience, comfort and safety.
HOIST SYSTEMS
Hoist systems are typically attached to an overhead anchorage point, such as a davit arm. Used for raising and lowering personnel and equipment, and for rescue operations in an emergency.
A great tool for training your team on confined space and its most commonly asked questions.
TOP 5 FAQs OF CONFINED SPACE
1. WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?
OSHA defines that a work area must meet all 3 of the following criteria to be considered a confined space:
1. Large enough that an employee can enter and perform assigned work.
2. Has a limited or restricted means for entry or exit.
3. Is not intended, or designed, for continuous employee occupancy.
2. DO I NEED A PERMIT?
An OSHA defined confined space with 1 or more of the following characteristics will require a permit entry:
• Contains, or has a potential to contain, a hazardous atmosphere.
• Contains a material that has the potential of engulfing an occupied entrant.
• Contains any other serious safety or health hazard.
• Has an internal configuration that an entrant could be trapped, or asphyxiated, by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section.
3. WHAT ARE COMMON HAZARDS?
A confined space is likely to contain a number of hazards that range from atmospheric to physical.
Commonly a confined space atmosphere is oxygen-deficient, toxic or combustible and should be tested prior to entry and continually monitored.
4. WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL I NEED?
In addition to PPE and gas monitoring, the entrance of a confined space will determine other equipment.
If a vertical entrance is required, equipment must be provided to ensure safe access, such as a tripod or davit system.
5. WHAT IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG?
Employees may need to be rescued or evacuated due to potential emergency in a confined space.
An employer must have a plan in place to respond to emergencies with rescue or retrieval of confined space entrants.
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