WORKING IN CONFINED SPACES
identifying the hazards present, assessing the risks and deciding on the appropriate control measures. Generally, the assessment will mean looking at the task, the working environment, working materials and tools, the suitability of those carrying out the task and arrangements for emergency rescue.
Where the assessment identifies risks of serious injury, the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 apply and these contain the following key duties…
• Where possible, avoid the need to enter a confined space by carrying out the work from outside
• If working within the confined space is unavoidable, follow a safe system of work
• Ensure that
adequate emergency arrangements are in place before the work starts
WORKING AT HEIGHT Under the Working at Height Regulations
2005, someone can be considered to be working at height in any place, including at or below ground level, where there is a risk of a person falling a distance likely to cause an injury the measures required by these Regulations must be in place.
Falls while entering or exiting confined spaces are common, often resulting from the use of poorly maintained climbing structures, poor lighting or space restrictions. For workers who have to access the area at height, usually the only option that provides protection from injury in the case of a fall is fall-arrest equipment. Personal fall arrest systems incorporate three components, often described as the ABCs of fall protection, which are an anchorage/ anchorage connector, body support and connecting device.
In some situations, it may be necessary to use suspended access techniques to lower the worker into the confined space using a davit and winch. In this case, the back-up of an SRL fall arrest system is also necessary and it is common practice to use a retrievable type of SRL to offer the capability of rescue in the event the worker gets into difficulty whilst in the confined space.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
As previously stated, plans for working in a confined space should always include provision for rescue should an accident occur and the worker involved is unable to exit the area unaided. Circumstances will always differ and methods of rescue need to take into account the specific hazards to both victim and rescuers
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involved. However, in many situations, a non-entry rescue is the safest solution for all parties and the only time an entry rescue should be attempted is when the use of a non-entry technique is likely to place the injured or trapped worker in greater danger.
In general, it is safe to say that rescues from confined spaces – particularly those with difficult or at- height access – are too complicated and dangerous for untrained or non-experts to attempt. A sensible precaution is to have designated competent people who can quickly perform their assigned rescue duties if an emergency occurs and it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that these individuals are suitably trained and equipped.
Working in confined spaces, particularly when combined with the need to access or work within them at height,
poses risk, but risk can be managed if the correct strategies are in place. By taking the time to review the appropriate legislation and the guidance offered by the HSE, employers can ensure that they are, to the best of their ability, providing a safe working environment where the risk of death or serious injury is minimised.
Stephen Morris
Training Sales Manager Capital Safety Training UK
Working At Height & Rescue • Fire Awareness
First Aid with Automatic External Defibrillation • Manual Handling Technician Core Skills • Safe Lifting & Slinging for Turbines
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