38 HEALTH AND SAFETY
The protocol:
• The attendant( top-man): You must have at least one person trained in resuscitation stationed outside the entrance. Their only job is to monitor the person inside. They never enter the space to perform a rescue unless a third person has arrived to take their place.
• The lifeline: Every person entering a deep confined space must wear a full-body harness attached to a mechanical recovery winch( tripod). This allows the top-man to crank the victim out of the hole without ever having to step inside the danger zone.
Training and PTW Working in a confined space is not a standard plumbing task. It requires a specific Permit to Work( PTW). This document acts as a checklist:
• Has the gas been tested?
• Is the ventilation fan running?
• Is the rescue tripod set up?
• Are the workers trained?
Under the Physical Agents Regulations( 2024), employers must also ensure that workers are " comprehensively informed, instructed and trained " on the specific nature of the hazards they face. If your team hasn ' t had a confined space induction in the last 24 months, you are likely in breach of the new OHS requirements.
Preparation: The plumbing checklist Before you crack that manhole cover, follow these steps:
• Purge and ventilate: Use a blower to force fresh air into the bottom of the space for at least 15 minutes before testing the air.
• Test high, middle and low: Some gases are heavy and sit on the floor, others are light and hang at the top. Test the entire column of air.
• Continuous monitoring: Don ' t just test once. Leave the gas monitor on and clipped to the worker’ s‘ breathing zone’( near the collar) for the duration of the job.
Conclusion: Respect the space Confined spaces are unforgiving. They don ' t give you a second chance. As a plumbing professional, your job is to bring technical excellence to the infrastructure of South Africa, but your primary responsibility is to ensure that you and your team go home at the end of the shift.
Respect the regulations, trust your gas monitor and never ever enter a space without a recovery plan. Safety isn ' t just about avoiding a fine, it ' s about respecting the silent, invisible power of the belly of the beast. PA
www. plumbingafrica. co. za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline July 2026 Volume 32 I Number 05