A confined space refers to any constricted area, such as a tank, vessel, pit, or chamber, where the nature of the space itself leads to dangerous conditions that can lead to accidents or even fatalities.
Needless to say, working in confined spaces requires a lot of careful planning. According to statistics, the confined space fatality is about 0.05 to 0.08 per 100,000 workers in Australia.
If you’re planning to work in a confined space or training to be a rescuer in confined spaces, then here are some of the most common risks and tips on how to mitigate them!
Toxic Atmosphere
A toxic atmosphere in a confined space can cause acute effects like impairment of judgement, suffocation, unconsciousness, and even death.
Toxic substances are most commonly found in these areas due to previous storage left behind, disturbance of sludge or sewage materials, or seepage from any adjoining plant.
Solution:
To mitigate the presence of these toxic gases, ensure proper ventilation by purging the area with fresh air using fans or blowers. You should also continuously monitor the air to see the degree to which it has become purified.
Additionally, it’s important to monitor the air quality before and after purging to ensure that you’re able to remove as much toxicity as possible. Ensure everyone in your team has a confined space ticket from a reliable institution. They’ll be well-equipped to deal with toxic environments from the right course.
Lack Of Oxygen
Oxygen can be depleted from a confined space due to natural and man-made processes.
For example, a continuous chemical reaction between certain soils and oxygen or reactions between groundwater and limestone can produce carbon dioxide, which leads to the displacement of oxygen.
Solution:
Here, too, you have to ensure adequate ventilation by first maintaining the airflow inside the space. Specialised fans and blowers dilute the existing gases and help to restore oxygen.
As a rule of thumb, many companies restrict workers from working in spaces where the oxygen levels are less than 20.9%. If the levels drop, the rescue team has to ventilate the space until it reaches this value.
Flooding
Flooding is also a common problem in many confined spaces, especially if your employees are working near a water-energy plant or dam.
When it comes to flooding, water isn’t the only liquid to overflow. Any liquid can soon overfill a confined area, especially in drainage or sewer operations, with little time to escape.
Solution:
Trained rescuers will first remove traces of water vapour and address the source of the leak to prevent further flooding. If the flooding is caused by water, they use special pumps to remove large amounts of water rapidly and actively. Next, a rescue plan is activated to make sure everyone can breathe while escaping.
Fire And Explosions
Fire and explosions are probably the most dangerous forms of confined space hazards simply because they give the people trapped inside very little time to escape.
Flammable vapours, liquids, and dust within the nooks of these spaces can increase the risk of fire or explosions. The risks are further increased if any tool sparks or gets too heated.
Solution:
Before entering the space, workers must use tools to test the presence of any flammable gases or vapours using portable gas detectors.
The area itself should come with explosion-proof heating, lighting, and power supply systems. For example, there shouldn’t be any faulty wires or loose sockets in these areas.
Moreover, workers should carry insulated materials with them to mitigate the risk of sparking an explosion.
Temperature Fluctuations
Strenuous work and long hours can lead to temperature fluctuations inside the confined area. Moreover, if the space is located in a chilly area, then the winters can be harsh for workers. This can become a problem because if a mishap occurs, workers won’t have enough time to combat the sharp rise or fall in temperatures.
Solution:
The most important thing to remember here is that workers need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for temperature fluctuations.
For example, if the environment inside is very cold, workers have to wear layered clothing with insulated materials. Similarly, if it’s too hot or humid, the interiors must be periodically ventilated to ensure that the temperature drops.
Conclusion
To build invincible confined space rescue teams, prioritise proper training and practice from the right providers. This will make sure they can handle even the toughest of situations and prevent any accidents.
