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TRAINING & EDUCATION IN SAFE HANDS


MRS Training tell us more about the things to consider when working in confined spaces.


A confined space has two defining features. Firstly, it is a place which is substantially, though not always entirely, enclosed and, secondly, there will be a reasonably foreseeable risk of serious injury from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby.


A specified risk can be categorised by either of the following:


• Injury caused by fire or explosion.


• Loss of consciousness caused by an increase in body temperature.


• Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation caused by gas, fume, vapour or lack of oxygen.


• Drowning.


• Asphyxiation caused by a free flowing solid or the inability to reach safety due to entrapment by a free flowing solid.


It should be noted that the specified risk may not always be there - it may be introduced by the nature of the work such as cutting, welding or spray painting.


WORKING IN


CONFINED SPACES When work is required in a confined space, such as maintenance or repairs, the following question should always be asked - do I need to enter the confined space to carry out the work?


Other methods should be looked at prior to committing workers into the confined space. It should be assessed as to whether the work could be completed by environmental monitoring involving the lowering of a monitor, using a pole, into the space and drawing a sample.


Businesses can also look at using water jets, chemicals, steam or long handled tools for cleaning instead of entering the space. Blockages in silos can also be cleared by utilising flail devices, vibrators or air purges.


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For those wanting to undertake visual inspections installing sight glass, portholes, grills or holes is another, safer alternative to submerging workmen into the actual area.


Finally CCTV could be used rather than employees.


When it has been decided that none of these alternatives would work and that work must definitely be carried out in a confined space, a safe system of work which identifies the hazards, the risks and the control measures must be created. The purpose of this is to ensure the work can be controlled and undertaken with an acceptable level of risk.


EMERGENCY PROCEDURES If businesses require employees to enter a confined space, they must prepare suitable and sufficient arrangements for their rescue. Very importantly, this is required even if the emergency is not brought about by a specified risk.


The important lesson is practice to ensure suitability and sufficiency of your rescue procedures. Your rescue arrangements need to ensure you are protecting the rescuers and, where necessary, include resuscitation equipment.


At the end of the day, it’s your confined space, your employees, your problem. You cannot and should not rely on public emergency services to provide your rescue cover for confined spaces.


WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY? Following the introduction of the Confined Spaces Regulations, the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities did not significantly decrease. This was traced to the quality of training being provided. To improve this situation, a working group was set up by the Sector Skills Council. This group comprised representatives of the Health and Safety Executive, the industry, training organisations and award organisations. The group established


“OTHER METHODS SHOULD BE


LOOKED AT PRIOR TO COMMITTING


WORKERS INTO THE CONFINED SPACE.”


a National Occupational Standard for confined space entry and rescue. The award organisations then created qualifications covering:-


• Low risk entries. • Medium risk entries. • High risk entries. • Tunnel entries.


• Emergency rescue and recovery of casualties.


• Top man duties. • Managing confined spaces.


A PARTING THOUGHT Working in a confined space will always have an element of risk, but these risks can be controlled to make the risks acceptable. The risks and controls need to be understood by all who work in confined spaces.


www.mrstrainingandrescue.com/ news/mrs-training-rescue


www.tomorrowshs.com


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