Confined space and associated hazards

What is a confined space?

A confined space is a space that is large enough for a person to enter and perform work, but where entry and exit are restricted or hindered, and it is not intended for continuous occupancy. A confined space may contain harmful and flammable gases, inhalable materials, slippery and wet surfaces, etc., and it can be difficult to exit in an emergency situation.

Examples include hatches, vessels, tanks, silos, pits, shafts, (sewer) pipes, wells, chimneys, basements, chambers, and other similar areas where the likelihood of accidents and injuries is higher due to their enclosed nature.

What are the hazards associated with working in a confined space?

The most common injuries that may occur when working in a confined space are those caused by fire or explosion, loss of consciousness and suffocation due to toxic gases or oxygen deficiency, drowning due to rising liquid levels, and loss of consciousness caused by an increase in body temperature.

Most accidents in confined spaces happen because:

  • Workers have not received the proper training to recognize hazards present at the workplace;
  • Hazards have not been assessed or eliminated before workers enter the space;
  • Rescuers are not competent or adequately trained.

What should be considered before starting work?

Typically, at least a three-person team is required to work in confined spaces: one worker inside the confined space and two workers outside, one of whom serves as a lookout. This is necessary to ensure the worker can be safely removed from the space and receive first aid if needed.

Before starting work in a confined space, it’s important to ensure the safety of the confined space and to be aware of the hazards present there. It’s essential to understand the appropriate methods to handle these hazards using proper work techniques. Additionally, ensure that suitable equipment is available to handle different situations. It is also crucial to verify that all individuals in the confined space have been properly instructed and trained on the risks associated with confined spaces.

We assist with equipment selection!

Visit us at Vitamiini 6a, 51014 Tartu, where you can see and try different equipment, or contact us at (+372) 56 111 024 / abi@kukkumiskaitse.ee, and we will find suitable solutions for your work situations.

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Kukkumiskaitse.ee

Kukkumiskaitse.ee is a high-altitude work center founded in 2011, aimed at providing the best safety solutions for working safely at heights and in confined spaces. Our goal is to offer a comprehensive solution – consultation for finding the right solution, system installation, training for users, and periodic inspections of products. We have manufacturer-provided training for the installation of all the systems we offer. The necessary tools for performing the work can be purchased from our online store, our warehouse in Tartu, or through our authorized dealers.

Kukkumiskaitse OÜ is a member of the Estonian High Altitude Work Association, ERCA, and BSA.

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