Common Confined Space Hazards

Confined spaces present unique risks. If you operate a business that requires you to send workers into tight, dark spaces, it’s essential to recognize confined space hazards and implement effective safety protocols to mitigate harm.

What Constitutes a Confined Space?

A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed area with limited space and restricted access, which can pose significant risks to workers. Certain confined spaces require a permit to ensure the entrant has specific training and experience working in perilous situations. Some characteristics of confined spaces include:

Restricted access: Confined spaces typically have small or narrow openings that make it challenging for workers to enter or exit. This restricted access increases the difficulty of rescuing workers in emergencies and complicates the movement of equipment and materials into and out of the space. Examples include manholes, access shafts in tunnels, and ductwork.
Temporary occupancy: Confined spaces are not intended for people to work in them continuously. Instead, workers may need to rotate in and out during maintenance, inspection, cleaning, or repair tasks to minimize exposure to hazards. Examples include storage tanks, silos, and boilers.
Hazardous conditions: The enclosed nature of confined spaces often means low oxygen, toxic gases, or flammable vapors can be present. Examples include sewers, chemical storage tanks, silos, and cargo holds.

Common Confined Space Risks

Before adopting specific safety measures, it’s important to understand the risks of working in confined spaces. Here are some common confined space safety hazards:

Lack of oxygen: Natural reactions like rusting or microbial activity can reduce oxygen levels in confined spaces. Certain soils or groundwater interacting with limestone can produce carbon dioxide, displacing the oxygen in the air.
Gases, fumes, and vapors: Poisonous gases and fumes can enter confined spaces from leaking pipes or contaminated soil or be generated by activities like welding and painting. Without proper ventilation, these substances can create a toxic atmosphere, posing immediate health risks to workers.
Flooding and collapse: Liquids can quickly fill a confined space, especially during drainage or sewer work. This can trap and potentially drown workers. In addition to liquid inundation, solid materials like soil and rock can collapse into trenches and excavation sites, posing a risk of entrapment or suffocation.
Dust: Activities like drilling or grinding produce dust. This is particularly hazardous within a confined space where the dust cannot dissipate into the air. Excessive dust can cause respiratory issues, impair visibility, and, in some cases, be explosive.
Fire and explosions: The presence of flammable vapors, liquids, gases, and dust in confined spaces increases the risk of fires and explosions. In these cases, excessive oxygen levels may be hazardous.
Temperature extremes: Confined spaces can become excessively hot due to environmental conditions or the nature of the work being performed. Heat stress is common in such examples. On the other hand, some confined spaces may be extremely cold, increasing the risk of hypothermia.
Difficult entry and exit: The limited openings in confined spaces make it challenging to move in and out, complicating emergency evacuations and rescue operations. Restricted access also makes it harder to see or communicate effectively with fellow workers.

Confined Space Hazards Checklist and Safety Protocols

Working in confined spaces should only be done by trained, certified personnel. These personnel should, at a minimum, have knowledge on the following detailed checklist . Note that this checklist is not exhaustive and should only be used as a reference, and not for formal training purposes.

1. Pre-Entry Measures

Atmosphere testing: Test the atmosphere before entry to detect any hazardous conditions. Continuously monitor the air quality for oxygen levels, toxic gases, and flammable vapors using calibrated gas detectors.
Isolation: Shut down and isolate any hazardous energy sources, including electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems. Implement lockout/tagout procedures to ensure that equipment cannot be activated while workers are inside the confined space.
Hazard removal: Thoroughly clean the space to remove hazardous residues, including flammable materials, toxic substances, and debris. If necessary, decontaminate the space to make it safe for entry.
Ventilation: Where possible, use natural airflow to help maintain safe oxygen levels. If necessary, use fans or blowers to provide adequate ventilation.

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Breathing apparatus: Use a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for environments with low oxygen or high toxic gas levels. In less hazardous conditions, use air-purifying respirators to filter out harmful substances.
Protective clothing: Wear chemical-resistant suits when working with hazardous substances. When needed, don additional thermal protective gear to guard against extreme heat and cold.
Non-sparking tools: Use tools designed to minimize the risk of sparks in environments with flammable gases or vapors. Regularly inspect and maintain these tools to ensure they are in safe working condition.

3. Confined Space Safety Practices

Communication systems: Use reliable communication devices, such as two-way radios, to maintain contact between workers inside and outside the confined space. When speaking is not possible, develop and use standardized hand signals to communicate with others in the space.
Portable lighting: Bring adequate lighting into the confined space to ensure good visibility. Fixtures should be rated for hazardous environments to prevent ignition when exposed to flammable gases.
Supervision and monitoring: Ensure that experienced and trained supervisors oversee confined space operations. Implement a buddy system where workers enter confined spaces in pairs to monitor each other’s safety.

4. Emergency Preparedness

Rescue plan: Develop a site-specific rescue plan that accounts for all potential hazards. Equip the site with necessary rescue equipment such as harnesses, lifelines, and retrieval systems.
Training: Provide the team with comprehensive training on confined space entry, hazard recognition, and emergency procedures. Conduct rescue drills to ensure all personnel are familiar with emergency protocols.
First aid: Ensure that first aid kits are readily available and stocked with the necessary supplies. Train workers in basic first aid and CPR to respond effectively in an emergency.

Request Confined Space Entry & Rescue

If you need to access a permit-required confined space, the team at EnviroBEE can help. Our certified professionals are well-equipped to handle confined space work, ensuring the highest health and safety standards. We also perform 24/7 rescues if your crew members are in imminent danger. Contact us today to request our services throughout the Carolinas or Virginia.