Understanding and Mitigating the Atypical Confined Space Hazards

While it may not be a common occurrence, anytime someone is entering a confined space, the hazards present must be understood, addressed, and mitigated using the appropriate procedures and confined space safety equipment to keep everyone safe. But confined spaces come in many different shapes and sizes and may not always be what a worker would consider a “typical” confined space.

Confined Spaces According to OSHA

The first step in managing the hazards associated with confined spaces is to understand exactly what they are. The definition issued by OSHA is the basis for all other considerations and regulations pertaining to confined spaces. If you're not sure whether a space is confined or not, consider these criteria:

• The space must be large enough for someone to enter.
• There must be limited access into or out of the space.
• Confined spaces are not intended for continuous human habitation.

 In addition, OSHA specifies that under certain circumstances, a space may be considered a permit-required confined space. If this is the case, there are hazards present that make the space more dangerous. Permit required spaces must meet one or more of the following: 

• Contains or may contain a hazardous atmosphere
• Holds material that may engulf an entrant
• Has walls that lean inward or floors that slope and taper into a smaller area
• Contains another recognized safety or health hazard

What Is an Atypical Confined Space?

That's not really an easy question to answer since every confined space, entrant, and situation is unique. Some of the most common confined spaces include vats, vaults, bins, pipes, silos, tunnels, and other spaces that you may expect.

There are also spaces that you may consider atypical confined spaces, including:

Unventilated Rooms or Areas

When you consider the definition of a confined space you can easily see that a room without windows or other ventilation qualifies for this status. Rooms like this have limited entry and exit points, enough room for someone to enter, and not meant for habitation, plus the potential for atmospheric, temperature, or other hazards.

Voids in Walls, Floors, and Ceilings

Maintenance and repairs are a fact of life in an industrial facility. Accessing vital systems may require workers to enter a void in a wall, under a floor, or above the ceiling. Entrants need to be equipped with adequate safety equipment to prevent falls, test for contaminants in the air, and to mitigate any other potential hazards. 

Roll Off Dumpsters 

This type of dumpster is common in and around facilities. When equipped with a lid that is able to close, dumpsters present a variety of risks to an entrant. When accessing dumpsters, workers should be wearing protective gear such as a harness and lanyard, protective clothing, and possibly breathing apparatus.

Excavations and Trenches

You might think that a trench or hole in the ground isn't a confined space, but that would be an incorrect assumption. If they are 4 feet deep or more, these spaces meet the criteria for limited entry and exit, space, and habitation. In addition, there is a risk of engulfment and you must be diligent about providing protective equipment and support to workers.

Mitigating Confined Space Hazards

In order to protect your workers and stay in compliance with OSHA regulations, you have to be committed to safety at all times. When your people are working within a confined space, it's vital that you follow a process and protocol including:

1. Evaluate the Confined Space - Before anyone enters a confined space, you need to know as much about it as you can. How big is it? Where are the entry/exit points? Is there an atmospheric issue? Are temperatures an issue? When you understand the space, you can plan for a safe entry.

2. Put Together a Team - Accessing a confined space isn't a safe job for one person. At a minimum, you need the entrant, a supervisor, and an attendant. Every person must be focused on the task at hand and alert in case the entrant needs assistance.

3. Use the Right Equipment - When accessing confined spaces, personal protection equipment like a fall arrest system, body harness, lanyard, and lifeline are essential. Adequate anchor points are also vital. In many cases, you'll need to use a boom or mast-style anchor point that's rated for lifting and supporting both a worker and their rescuer to keep everyone safe.

4. Have Rescue Personnel and Gear Ready - No matter how mundane the task may seem, or how harmless the confined space may feel, do not relax. Accidents and emergencies can happen in an instant, and they can be especially dangerous in a confined space. A trained, fully equipped rescue team isn't a luxury, it's necessary.

5. Keep Employees in Constant Connection – Both in terms of communication and in their attachment to a lifeline and anchor point, contact must not be interrupted. Any tools and materials needed within the confined space must be handled on a separate anchor point from those dedicated to entrants and rescuers.

The Importance of Employee Safety Training

No matter what industry you operate in, safety should be a top priority. When it comes to confined space safety, you cannot be too careful or too concerned. There are very real dangers lurking in these places and your workers could be at risk. Develop a safety training plan that teaches workers how to identify confined spaces, confined space hazards, and to apply the appropriate confined space safety measures and equipment to enter them safely. 

OSHA-Compliant Confined Space Safety Equipment

When you really read OSHA's definition of a confined space, you realize that they are everywhere. Some are very obvious, like that vat of liquid or hopper full of grain. Others may not be quite as obvious, such as the dumpster out back. The confined space hazards your workers encounter will also vary widely. While you can't eliminate all the confined spaces, you can equip your workers with confined space safety equipment that will protect them.

From anchor points meant for two people to anchor points for horizontal lifelines, lanyards, and body harnesses to winches to lift and lower materials and equipment, Tractel is your confined space safety source. Contact one of our qualified confined space safety equipment experts today for a consultation on how you can minimize the confined space hazards in your facility.

You can visit our dedicated confined space page to learn more about our solutions.