FEATURE 21
How to know if you are working in a confined space The general rule of thumb is that confined spaces are regulated by government. Check if the area:
• Is enclosed
• Is restricted
• Could be a place where there could be an accumulation of gases, such as methane, hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide
• Has one entrance and one exit
Any place where people don’ t normally sit and work such as manholes and water tanks is likely a confined space. To decide whether the area is a confined space, you must consider both the physical enclosure of the area, as well as the possible hazards that could be inside of it.
The methane gas guideline When working in a confined space that you suspect could have methane gas, follow the below guidelines:
5. Make sure the area has enough oxygen If there is methane or other gases in the air, pump fresh air into the space
Note: Do not just use an extractor fan to suck out air, as this could also remove oxygen. You want to pump fresh oxygenated air into the space.
Chris Coetzee’ s short checklist for confined spaces: 1. Purge and ventilate 2. Test high, middle and low 3. Have someone continuously monitoring the situation – make sure they are trained in CPR and are always paying attention
Kues1 | Magnific. com
1. Use a multi-gas detector These are as essential as any other tool in your toolbox. Besides methane gas, hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide should also be tested for in the space, as these are the lethal gasses that could be present in confined spaces.
Methane gas is also highly flammable and highly explosive.
2. Have trained personnel on site This needs to be someone trained to use the gas detector. The must test the environment at:
• Floor level
• Middle level
• As high as the detector can go
• For manholes, the detector should be dropped to the lowest level, middle level and near the entrance
3. Have rescue kits on hand The rescue kits will depend on the type of environment you are working in. For example, when working in a manhole, a rescue kit would involve a tripod system and a lanyard attached to an anchor point with a winch that can be used to pull a person out in case of emergency.
4. Never work alone in a confined space There should always be someone outside of the environment you are working in, who supervises the system. This supervisor must:
• Not be distracted
• Continuously watch the work that is happening
• Keep the person inside of the confined space connected to an emergency rescue system for immediate extraction
• This person should be trained in rescue procedures and resuscitation( CPR / First Aid Level 1)
July 2026 Volume 32 I Number 05 www. plumbingafrica. co. za