How to Work Safely in Confined Spaces?

What is a confined space?

The Health and Safety Executive describe a confined space as ‘a place which is substantially enclosed (though not always entirely), and where serious injury can occur from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby (e.g. lack of oxygen)’. A confined space will often have poor ventilation & visibility, hazardous air breathing conditions and restricted / limited entry and exit routes, hence it is essential if you are working in or around confined spaces, or where there is a risk of entrapment in a confined space, to understand the risks and to know how to deal with them should a situation occur.

So the question arises…”How to Work Safely in Confined Spaces?”. Understanding how to work safely in a confined space can only be learnt through expert advice and proper rescue training. This is not an area to cut corners, this type of training should be provided by confined space safety and rescue experts. Qualified trainers will personalise a course to deal specifically with your working environment, identifying the potential risks and preparing the learner with the knowledge & practical training to deal with a situation should one occur.

The dangers of Confined Spaces:

Preparation is the key to coping with confined spaces. Confined space rescue training, will help you identify possible risks and to enter a confined space prepared. Lack of oxygen and hazardous fumes are the most common dangers when working in a small area. Even if you have the latest monitoring equipment and checks in place, there is always the possibility that something could go wrong. If explosive gases collect in a confined space there is also the risk of explosions. Finally, there is also the possibility that an area could collapse blocking exit/entry points or trapping a member of the confined space rescue team. Proper training is essential to understand how to spot the risks before they happen, and how to act should a situation occur.

It is a well know expression that “Prevention is better than cure” and this is never truer than when working in hazardous or flammable atmospheres. Knowing how to wear and utilise breathing apparatus, flame-retardant gear and rescue equipment when working in a confined space can mean the difference between life and death. A sobering thought for any worker.

Simple precautions such as ‘standby and rescue’ can often prevent injury and death related to working in and near a confined space. By assigning a “standby” person, whose only two duties are to keep in contact with each worker in a confined space and to alert the appropriate person or team should an emergency situation arise, can and does save lives. Such a simple step, but so often over looked.

ESS-Safeforce is one of the leading providers of confined space training in the UK and overseas. In excess of 20,000 delegates a year are trained on how to work safely in confined spaces.