ARCA : THE ASBESTOS REMOVAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
A confined space has two defining features . Firstly , it is a place which is substantially ( though not always entirely ) enclosed and , secondly , there will be a reasonably foreseeable risk of serious injury from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby (“ specified risk ”).
WORKING IN A CONFINED SPACE When work is required in a confined space e . g . maintenance or repairs , the following question should always be asked -
Do I need to enter the confined space to carry out the work ?
Other methods should be looked at prior to committing workers into the confined space . These include :
A specified risk can either be :
• Injury caused by fire or explosion
• Loss of consciousness caused by an increase in body temperature
• Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation caused by gas , fume , vapour or lack of oxygen
• Drowning
• Asphyxiation caused by a free flowing solid or the inability to reach safety due to entrapment by a free flowing solid
It should be noted that the specified risk may not always be there ; it may be introduced by the nature of the work , i . e . cutting , welding , spray painting .
• Environmental monitoring - lowering a monitor , drawing a sample , using a pole
• Using water jets , chemicals , steam or long handled tools for cleaning
• Clearing blockages in silos by utilising flail devices , vibrators or air purges
• Installing sight glass , portholes , grills or holes to allow visual inspection
• Use of CCTV rather than employees
When work must definitely be carried out in a confined space , a safe system of work which identifies the hazards , the risks and the control measures must be created . The purpose of this is to ensure the work can be controlled and undertaken with an acceptable level of risk .
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HSE INTERNATIONAL