Safety Tip of the Week – Confined Space

Confined spaces present a special type of danger – a danger that you may not recognize until you’ve already entered a confined space and encountered the hazard. By then, it may be too late. Toxic gases, lack of oxygen, shifting materials inside, and other hazards can cause injury or death before you can take action to protect yourself or a co-worker.

Every year unsuspecting employees are killed because of hazardous conditions in confined spaces.

Historically, over 60% of these fatalities are would-be
rescuers who enter these spaces to retrieve the fallen individual or individuals, only to be overcome and become victims themselves.

Confined Spaces Present Many Hazards. Some of the Common Ones Are:

• Lack of oxygen, presenting a suffocation hazard;
• Fire or explosion hazards from an accumulation of flammable vapors;
• Health hazards from toxic vapors;
• Difficulty exiting the space in the event of an emergency;
• Cramped spaces to work in, resulting in a danger of being caught in equipment;
• Poor visibility;
• High levels of noise; and
• Temperature extremes.

Before You Enter a Confined Space, Make Sure You:

• Know how to enter it safely;
• Know how to exit quickly;
• Know that the atmosphere in the space is tested and found to free of dangerous levels of toxic or flammable vapors and that there is sufficient oxygen;
• Know that the atmosphere within the space is going to remain safe while you are working; and
• Know the rescue plan in the event of an emergency.

REMEMBER…CONFINED SPACES CAN BE DANGEROUS PLACES!!