Imagine you see your coworker climb down into a tank and he collapses suddenly. Your other coworker races down to get him and he collapses. What do you do? Do you go down to help them out?
Don’t!
Although you may be filled with the urge to help your coworkers out of the tank, it is clear that if you go down into that tank there will be three bodies to retrieve.
It sounds so obvious as we read this right now, however, this chain-reaction happens over and over again in many work sites every single year. Over half of the victims are people who were attempting to rescue someone else. To quote Lois Lane in 1978’s Superman, “You’ve got me? Who’s got you?”
That’s a good question, isn’t it?
In an airplane they tell you to put your mask on before helping somebody else out with theirs. Likewise, you can’t enter a confined space without taking the proper precautions and knowing what hazards you are stepping into. You can’t be a hero if you’re dead.
Confined space work is a part of many jobs, however, it requires extensive training, special permits, and special gear. Everybody on the job site should be familiar with the potential dangers of confined space work, however, only trained and authorized employees should be permitted to enter confined spaces.
What is a confined space?
- A confined space is any space that is big enough for a person to enter, however, it is not meant for extended occupancy, and there are usually limited entrances and exits.
- A confined space usually has poor ventilation which allows for the buildup of toxic or flammable gases.
- A confined space may have low oxygen levels. A nitrogen-rich environment can kill you instantly. Many confined space workers are required to wear special oxygen masks.
- A confined space may be a small space filled with hazards such as poor visibility, excessive noise, moving parts, extreme temperatures, liquid or other materials, etc.
- Confined spaces can include tanks, sewers, silos, chimneys, ducts, tunnels, and boilers to name a few.
Confined Space Entry Program:
All confined spaces on the job site must be identified as such. Only trained and authorized workers shall be allowed to enter. In many cases, the fire department needs to be notified before any worker can enter into a confined space. The atmosphere of the confined space must be tested by qualified personnel before entry. Hazards must be removed and\or locked out before entry. Workers need to wear the appropriate gear and respiratory equipment, if required. Confined space work should never be performed alone. Workers should have a spotter standing outside, usually attached to a lifeline, ready to perform a rescue in the case of an emergency.
Always work safe. Never enter a confined space unless you have been trained and authorized to do so.
Until Next Time – Safety First!