Limited could mean that you have two ways in and out, but when your operation calls for 15 people to be working in the space, they would have difficulty exiting quickly. In other words, there are nuances to the definition which make it necessary for you to evaluate each and every potential confined space individually. The simplest thing to do is start with number 4. Does your confined space contain any recognized serious safety or health hazard?
If you are unsure of whether or not number four is met, then go back and review the first three. For engulfment, this could be water or some other liquid, or it could be a flowing solid material, like grain, sand, soil. For criteria number three, picture a large tank that dispenses its material through the bottom. In this tank, the bottom is sloped to the center where there is an opening large enough into which you could slide and get stuck.
This would make your space a PRCS. The trick is to take the designation process once step at a time. Determine whether or not you have a confined space, then look to see if you have a PRCS. Break the definitions apart as needed to help you figure this out.
At the time of this writing, there is no Confined Space standard for Construction. One had been proposed that contained five different classifications of a confined space, but it was never made into law. Currently, construction tends to follow the regulation as the accepted industry practice.
The training and education portion of the Construction regulations places responsibility on the employer to train their employees about the hazards of confined spaces, what precautions to take, what PPE is needed and what emergency precautions and equipment are required.
Any citations regarding confined spaces issued to construction contractors would most likely reference the General Duty Clause or the training and education portion of the Construction regulations 29 CFR Up until this point, the only construction requirement for confined spaces has been that the involved employees needed to be trained.
What is a confined space? Confined Space refers to any place, including any vessel, tank, container, pit, bund, chamber, cellar or any other similar space which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, creates conditions that give rise to a likelihood of an accident, harm or injury of such a nature as to require emergency action due to the presence or reasonable foreseeable presence of: - flammable or explosive atmospheres - harmful gas, fume or vapour - free flowing solid or an increasing level of liquid - excess of oxygen - excessively high temperature the lack or reasonably foreseeable lack of oxygen back to top What are the key characteristics which define a confined space?
The key characteristics of a confined space are: the space must be substantially enclosed there must be a risk of at least one of the hazards listed above occurring within the space the risk of serious injury from the hazard must be created by virtue of the enclosed nature of the space the potential injury must be serious and be such as to require emergency action to rescue the person involved.
The hazards associated confined spaces include: Toxic Atmosphere A toxic atmosphere may cause various acute effects, including impairment of judgement, unconsciousness and death. A toxic atmosphere may occur due to the presence or ingress of hazardous substances. These substances may be present in the Confined Space for various reasons such as: - remaining from previous processing or storage - arising from the disturbance of sludge and other deposits - the presence of a fire or flames within the space - seepage from improperly isolated adjoining plant - formation during the work processes carried out in the space - being released from under scale and in brickwork as a result of the work process Oxygen Deficiency Oxygen can be lacking a confined space for the following reasons: - displacement of air by another gas - various biological processes or chemical reactions such as rotting of organic matter, rusting of metals, burning, etc - absorption of air onto steel surfaces, especially where these are damp Oxygen Enrichment An excess of oxygen, in the presence of combustible materials, results in an increased risk of fire and explosion.
Some materials, which do not burn in air, may burn vigorously or even spontaneously in an enriched oxygen atmosphere. Flammable or Explosive Atmospheres A flammable atmosphere presents a risk of fire or explosion.
Such an atmosphere can arise from the presence in the confined space of flammable liquids or gases or of a suspension of combustible dust in air. If a flammable atmosphere inside a confined space ignites, an explosion may occur, resulting in the expulsion of hot gases and the disintegration of the structure.
Flowing Liquid or Free Flowing Solids Liquids or solids can flow into the confined space causing drowning, suffocation, burns and other injuries. Solids in powder form may also be disturbed in a confined space resulting in an asphyxiating atmosphere. Excessive Heat The enclosed nature of a confined space can increase the risk of heat stroke or collapse from heat stress, if conditions are excessively hot. The risk may be exacerbated by the wearing of personal protective equipment or by lack of ventilation back to top What are the legal requirements in regard to confined space entry?
Regulation 5 states that: A person shall not carry out work in Confined Spaces if it is reasonably practical that it could be avoided If the work must be carried out Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment must be carried out prior to the work commencing A person shall not enter a confined space unless there is a system of work in place that has been planned, organised, performed and maintained so as to render that work safe and without risk to health Anyone entering a confined space must be provided with appropriate information, training and instruction appropriate to the particular characteristics of the proposed work activities back to top What are legal requirements in relation to Emergency Arrangements for confined spaces?
Regulation 6 of the Confined Space Regulations states that: A person shall not enter a confined space unless there is a suitable emergency arrangements have been made which are appropriate to the confined space in question The emergency arrangements shall include: - all practical measures necessary to ensure the health and safety of those taking part in the rescue - the provision of a suitable and reliable means of raising the alarm in the event of an emergency - having all necessary rescue equipment nearby and in a well maintained, good condition - the provision of information, instruction and training to all involved in rescue procedures - the provision of equipment and training for resuscitation procedures if there is a foreseeable risk that they will be needed.
When carrying out a risk assessment the following questions should be asked: What could be inside the space that would pose a risk? What will be created due to the work carried out in the space? The key elements to be considered when drawing up a safe system of work are: Competence, training, supervision and suitability Permit-to-work procedure Gas purging and ventilation Dangerous residues Testing and monitoring of the atmosphere Mechanical, electrical and process isolation Respiratory protective equipment Other personal protective equipment Safe use of work equipment Communications Access and egress Flammable or explosive atmospheres Combustible materials back to top What is a permit-to-work procedure?
Submission completed, thank you! Related Link s Confined Spaces. What is a Hydraulic Jack? Related posts Confined Space Definition How are confined spaces defined according to UK health and safety regulations? Working in confined spaces poses a laundry list of dangers and could land you in a tight spot.
If you or your employees are working in a high-risk enclosed area, ensure you have a confined space User Menu Home Log in. September Offers: Don't Miss Out! Address SafetyLiftinGear. Tel: Fax: sales safetyliftingear. Vacancies Online Certification Sitemap Terms.
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