Risk assessment Confined spaces

Risk assessment-Confined spaces – The sheer thought of having to spend time in a confined space is enough for many people to simply walk away. Employers cannot afford to have this happen and are obliged to do whatever they can to ensure employees feel comfortable and safe in such spaces. This requires that a regular risk assessment is done.

Any enclosed space can be considered a confined, space, but generally speaking it is spaces like vessels, tanks, containers, pits, bunds, chambers and cellars that are considered real confined spaces. Working in these environments is not just challenging for the employee; they can also cause serious headaches for safety workers when an employee needs to be rescued.

A confined space can pose some unique and specific threats, including:

• the presence or reasonable foreseeable presence of flammable or explosive gases, harmful gas, fumes or vapour, free flowing solids or an increasing level of liquid and excessively high temperatures

• the lack or reasonably foreseeable lack of oxygen

These possible threats make that confined spaces can contain toxic air which can impair judgement and lead to unconsciousness and even death. Problems in confined spaces often occur because of:

• Toxins i.e.:
  • the remains from previous processing or storage
  • the disturbance of sludge and other deposits
  • the presence of a fire or flames within the space
  • seepage from improperly isolated adjoining plant
  • formation during the work processes carried out in the space
  • being released from under scale and in brickwork as a result of the work process

• Oxygen Deficiency
• Oxygen Enrichment
  Flammable or Explosive Atmospheres
  Flowing Liquid or Free Flowing Solids
  Excessive Heat

The Health & Safety regulations state that:

• A person shall not carry out work in Confined Spaces if it is reasonably practical that it could be avoided.

• If the work must be carried out Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment must be carried out prior to the work commencing.
• A person shall not enter a confined space unless there is a system of work in place that has been planned, organised, performed and maintained so as to render that work safe and without risk to health.
• Anyone entering a confined space must be provided with appropriate information, training and instruction appropriate to the particular characteristics of the proposed work activities.

All the above is reassuring to know, but provides little comfort when somebody needs to be rescued. Health and safety officials are strongly advised to:

• not enter a confined space unless suitable emergency arrangements have been made
• The emergency arrangements shall include:
  • all practical measures necessary to ensure the health and safety of those taking part in the rescue
  • the provision of a suitable and reliable means of raising the alarm in the event of an emergency
  • having all necessary rescue equipment nearby and in a well-maintained, good condition
  • the provision of information, instruction and training to all involved in rescue procedures
  • the provision of equipment and training for resuscitation procedures if there is a foreseeable risk that they will be needed.

This is to avoid the health and safety official being the next person who needs to be rescued.

When doing a risk assessment and drafting plans, health and safety officials should always include:

• Competence, training, supervision and suitability
• Permit-to-work procedure
• Gas purging and ventilation
• Dangerous residues considerations
• Testing and monitoring of the air
• Mechanical, electrical and process isolation
• Respiratory protective equipment
• Other personal protective equipment
• Safe use of work equipment
• Communications
• Access and egress
• Flammable or explosive gas
• Combustible materials

Don't let yourself be boxed-in; Assess each confined space regularly and, when necessary, draft a protocol to ensure you that the door doesn't close on you!