MRS TRAINING & RESCUE - SAFE IN OUR HANDS
Q. What exactly are confined spaces and why are they
risky environments?
The regulations define a confined space as:
“any place, including any chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit,
trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space in
which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a
reasonably foreseeable specified risk;”
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A specified risk means a risk of:
Serious injury to any person at work arising from a
fire or explosion.
The loss of consciousness of any person at work
arising from an increase in body temperature.
The loss of consciousness or asphyxiation of any
person at work arising from gas, fume, vapour or the
lack of oxygen.
The drowning of any person at work arising from an
increase in the level of liquid.
The asphyxiation of any person at work arising
from a free flowing solid or the inability to reach
a respirable environment due to entrapment by a
free flowing solid.
No one should enter or work in a confined space unless
they are competent to do so, and there are appropriate
emergency arrangements in place for the level of risk
involved in the task/space. These should include making
provision for extracting workers from the confined space
and making provision for first-aid equipment (including
resuscitation equipment), where the need can be foreseen.
No person at work shall enter or carry out work in a
confined space unless suitable and sufficient arrangements
have been prepared for the rescue of persons in the event
of an emergency.
Working in confined spaces will always have an element
of risk, but these can be controlled and made acceptable.
The risks and controls need to be understood by all who
work in confined spaces.
Sadly, not everyone working in confined spaces has the
correct training – according to HSE statistics, there are still
around 15 deaths each year in the UK due to confined space
accidents. Over 50% of these fatalities are colleagues trying
to rescue others. What’s more, 85% could be avoided.
Q Are there any examples of locations with confined
spaces that might surprise our readers?
Confined spaces come in many shapes and sizes,
including: tanks, chambers, drains, sewers, pits, and
trenches.
We were asked to conduct an assessment of a ship’s
hold. Despite being the size of three football pitches, the
hold was deemed a confined space due to its enclosed
nature - it was covered while at sea. The ship was
transporting coal which was thought to be on fire; the
specified risk. The ship was not allowed to dock until there
was proof of no fire, and the only access to the hold was a
spiral staircase in the corner. This was covered over until
the coal was removed. Men and machinery had to enter the
hold to ensure all the coal was removed. Incidentally, there
was no fire - just a faulty, out of calibration environmental
monitor.
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HSE INTERNATIONAL
Q What scope of training is offered by MRS Training &
Rescue?
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We are expert training providers in:
High risk entry and rescue
Working in Confined spaces
Working at height
First aid
Fire fighting
IOSH and NEBOSH
Our comprehensive health and safety training courses
can help any individual or organization to develop the
knowledge, skills and best practice methods to minimize
health and safety risks in the workplace.
We blend classroom learning with practical assessments
to address all your health and safety training needs.
We are also a leading First Aid training and assessment
provider and are fully approved by the MPQC Award
Organization, which in turn is approved by Ofqual.
And our fire courses are suitable for managers and
employees alike, to provide a greater appreciation of fire
prevention in the workplace.
We are also a leading provider of height safety, access
and rescue training and offer a range of courses for people
working at height across many industries.
As well as training, we offer high risk confined space
rescue cover to clients across many industries. Our expert
teams are qualified and competent health and safety
experts, all having a rescue operative’s QCF certificate.