Hazards and safety in confined spaces

Contents• What is confined spaces• What is the Hazard • What is safety • Example of confined spaces in construction field• General Hazards in confined spaces• Why is working in a confined space more hazardous than

working in other workspaces• Safety Procedures • Safety Symbols and boards• Reference

Confined spaces• A confined space is an enclosed area with limited space and

accessibility.(From Wikipedia)

What is the hazard? • A hazard is a situation that poses a level of threat

to life, health, property, or environment.

(From Wikipedia)

What is Safety?• It is defined as the control of recognized hazards to achieve

an acceptable level of risk. This can take the form of being protected from the event or from exposure to something that causes health or economical losses.

Example of confined spaces in construction field

General Hazards in confined spaces

• Radiation• Toxic atmospheres

• Temperature extremes

• Explosive atmospheres

• Oxygen: too little

• Falling objects

• Low light

• Electrical shock

• Noise

Why is working in a confined space more hazardous than working in other

workspaces?• The entrance/exit of the confined space might not allow the

worker to get out in time should there be a flood or collapse of free-flowing solid.

• Rescue of the victim is more difficult. The interior configura-tion of the confined space often does not allow easy move-ment of people or equipment within it.

• Natural ventilation alone will often not be sufficient to main-tain breathable quality air. The interior configuration of the con-fined space does not allow easy movement of air within it.

• Conditions can change very quickly.• The space outside the confined space can impact on the

conditions inside the confined space and vice versa.• Work activities may introduce hazards not present initially.

Safety Procedures

• First we do the air quality check before enter the confined space

• Safety officer should observe following safety items in strictly – Wearing shoes ,gloves and helmet – Use the safety belt– Use the masks, head phones and glass– Don’t smoke , drinking in confine spaces

• Should displayed the safety symbols and boards about the danger of confined spaces at near that place

• Use Mechanical ventilation (blowers, fans) is usu-ally necessary to maintain air quality.

• Should maintain the space is clear • Don’t allow unauthorized persons in confined

spaces• Have a emergency subway • Allow the limited laborers in side of confined spa-

ces

Symbols and boards

REFERENCE

• www.google.com/images• (Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US

Department of Defense 2005)• Lecture notes• http://www.hse.gov.uk/confinedspace/• Confined Space - Introduction : OSH Answers.

[ONLINE] Available at:http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/confinedspace_intro.html. [Accessed 15 August 2015].