Working Safely in Confined Spaces - Reality Check For Australia
Confined spaces are common in many industries & workplaces which involve significant risks for employees who need to work inside them. A confined space is a place which is substantially enclosed which is not intended for human occupancy and where serious injury can occur from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby (e.g. lack of oxygen).
Some of the main aspects are as follows:
-- limited openings for entry and exit.
-- Unfavorable natural ventilation
-- Not designed for continuous worker occupancy.
It includes boilers, pressure vessels, cargo holds, cargo tanks, ballast tanks, double bottoms, double hull spaces, fuel oil, lube oil, sewage-tanks, pump-rooms, compressor rooms, cofferdams, void spaces, duct keels, inter-barrier spaces and engine crankcases.
What are the main challenges?
Working in confined spaces can be risky. The presence of toxic gases and vapors in confined spaces pose serious risks to workers.
Some of the risks include:
• Loss of consciousness, injury or death due to contaminants in the air.
• Fire or explosion from the ignition of flammable contaminants.
• Suffocation caused by a lack of oxygen.
• Enhanced combustibility and spontaneous combustion.
• Suffocation or crushing after being engulfed by loose materials stored in the space, such as sand, grain, fertilizer, coal or woodchips.
What To Take Care of When Workin in Heights?
<u>Safety guide
</u>
This guide will help you understand the risks, and will explain what you need to do to make your workplace safe.
• Acquire a Permit
Most spaces entail a permit by the organization carrying out the work before workers are allowed to enter. Ensure your employer or unit has obtained the necessary permit. It should be notably displayed at the space during an entry.
• Control Hazardous Energy
Make applicable use of locks and tags to prevent accidental start up of equipment. Cut off steam, water, gas or power lines that enter the space. Use only safe, grounded, explosion proof equipment and fans if there is a possibility of a combustible atmosphere developing.
• Purging and Ventilating
Purge and remove all unwanted water, atmospheres, sediments, or other substances before entry, as these may all become safety hazards.
• Test the Air
Use the necessary equipment for checking oxygen levels, combustibility and toxicity levels in confined spaces. Test before the space is opened by prying with the test apparatus near the entry.
• Training
Regular training is vital so that employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to safely enter and operate in these confined spaces; avoid exposure to hazardous substances, flammable or explosive conditions; and address other health and safety issues. They must also be familiar with escape methods and routes.
• Always plan and detail the execution of all work and activity within the space. If hazards are present, ensure that they are distant before entry is permitted.
<u>Final Analysis
</u>
Human life is precious. In order to keep the life cycle intact with working on professions like working on the heights need some good practices.With this, it is advisable to pursue working at height courses [http://www.atec.edu.au/courses/work-safely-at-height/] which are designed in such a way that not just human life is safeguarded but also the professional aims are achived.
Some of the main aspects are as follows:
-- limited openings for entry and exit.
-- Unfavorable natural ventilation
-- Not designed for continuous worker occupancy.
It includes boilers, pressure vessels, cargo holds, cargo tanks, ballast tanks, double bottoms, double hull spaces, fuel oil, lube oil, sewage-tanks, pump-rooms, compressor rooms, cofferdams, void spaces, duct keels, inter-barrier spaces and engine crankcases.
What are the main challenges?
Working in confined spaces can be risky. The presence of toxic gases and vapors in confined spaces pose serious risks to workers.
Some of the risks include:
• Loss of consciousness, injury or death due to contaminants in the air.
• Fire or explosion from the ignition of flammable contaminants.
• Suffocation caused by a lack of oxygen.
• Enhanced combustibility and spontaneous combustion.
• Suffocation or crushing after being engulfed by loose materials stored in the space, such as sand, grain, fertilizer, coal or woodchips.
What To Take Care of When Workin in Heights?
<u>Safety guide
</u>
This guide will help you understand the risks, and will explain what you need to do to make your workplace safe.
• Acquire a Permit
Most spaces entail a permit by the organization carrying out the work before workers are allowed to enter. Ensure your employer or unit has obtained the necessary permit. It should be notably displayed at the space during an entry.
• Control Hazardous Energy
Make applicable use of locks and tags to prevent accidental start up of equipment. Cut off steam, water, gas or power lines that enter the space. Use only safe, grounded, explosion proof equipment and fans if there is a possibility of a combustible atmosphere developing.
• Purging and Ventilating
Purge and remove all unwanted water, atmospheres, sediments, or other substances before entry, as these may all become safety hazards.
• Test the Air
Use the necessary equipment for checking oxygen levels, combustibility and toxicity levels in confined spaces. Test before the space is opened by prying with the test apparatus near the entry.
• Training
Regular training is vital so that employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to safely enter and operate in these confined spaces; avoid exposure to hazardous substances, flammable or explosive conditions; and address other health and safety issues. They must also be familiar with escape methods and routes.
• Always plan and detail the execution of all work and activity within the space. If hazards are present, ensure that they are distant before entry is permitted.
<u>Final Analysis
</u>
Human life is precious. In order to keep the life cycle intact with working on professions like working on the heights need some good practices.With this, it is advisable to pursue working at height courses [http://www.atec.edu.au/courses/work-safely-at-height/] which are designed in such a way that not just human life is safeguarded but also the professional aims are achived.
