As of August 4th, 2015 there is a good chance that your team will be affected by the new confined space rule finalized by OSHA. There are several changes that assign responsibility to almost every contractor on a project or work assignment. In today’s meeting we thought it would be important to review the areas in which confined spaces have the greatest potential to be present.
Confined spaces are dangerous for several reasons. Toxic fumes can build up, oxygen can be evacuated, which could lead to asphyxiation. Training in proper procedures is required prior to working in or around them.
Examples of where confined spaces may occur, but are not limited to, the following:
Bins
Boilers
Chemical Tanks
Closets
Concrete Pier Columns
Crawl Spaces
Drilled Shafts
Elevator Pits
Equipment Pits
Escalator Pits
Fuel Tanks
Hallways
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Ducts
Incinerators
Manholes
Precast Concrete
Pump Pits
Scrubbers
Sewers
Solid Tanks
Storm Drains
Transformer Vaults
Valve Pits
Water Mains
What types of confined spaces does your crew work around? What are the challenges you face when working around confined spaces? Have you ever witnesses or been a part of an accident while working within a confined space?
Confined space fatal fact.
A farm maintenance worker died after entering an 8,000- gallon polyethylene storage tank that was not marked to indicate a potential uncontrolled hazardous atmosphere. At the time of the incident, the tank contained liquid whey, known to produce carbon dioxide gas as it decomposes. A broken ball valve inside the tank needed replacement. Using a forklift, a worker was lowered through a 16-inch-diameter hole at the top to fix the valve. The forklift operator had no visual contact or other means to monitor the situation inside the 12 foot-by-12-foot tank. For a full report on this fatal fact please click here.
Sadly, everyday untrained workers will encounter deadly situations like the story above. Therefore it is critical to provide confined space training to all exposed workers prior to work assignment. To schedule a confined space awareness training email sales@pasafety.com or dial 877.209.9648.