Page 8 - OHS, July/August 2021

IH: CONFINED SPACES
Proper Use of Fall Protection PPE in a Confined Space
Planning, preparation and proper equipment is key to protecting confined space
workers from fall hazards.
BY ANNE OSBOURN
MSA — The Safety Company/MSAsafety.com
Confined space work can be dangerous. The truth of this statement cannot be understated. Confined space workers face a plethora of risks, ranging from asphyxiation and engulfment to electric shock, explosion and falls.
Because the onus to protect confined space workers is on the employer, it’s imperative for employers to recognize and plan appropriately for confined space work. This article is intended to assist employers in understanding that obligation as it relates to fall protection.
For full compliance with the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 standard1 that governs confined spaces, employers are urged to rely upon the expertise of safety and health professionals, such as industrial hygienists.
This article is intended to help employers like you who want to effectively protect confined space workers from falls by helping you understand more about confined spaces, including what they are, why they’re a fall hazard and what essential PPE is needed.
What is a Confined Space?
The core definition of a confined space is any area that’s not easily accessible by people, is not intended for long-term occupancy, is characterized by limited entry and exit points and has the potential for the presence of significant hazards.
OSHA’s definition of confined space is particular to what they call “permit-required confined space.” As defined by OSHA2,
permit-required confined space is any area that:
■ Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous
atmosphere
Includes material that have the potential to engulf anyone who enters
■ Features walls that converge inward or floors that slope downward, tapering to a smaller space that can trap or asphyxiate an entrant
■ Comprises any other recognized safety or health hazard, such as unguarded machinery, exposed live wires or heat stress
Confined spaces are found in varying sizes and shapes within a wide variety of industries. Because not all confined spaces are as easily identifiable as a confined space, as an employer, you should leverage the expertise of highly trained workers to identify their confined spaces and assess the potential hazards. This will allow you to determine which controls are appropriate for your specific confined space hazards.
How Confined Spaces Present a Fall Hazard
There are a wide range of potentially dangerous situations for confined space workers, including: lack of oxygen, chemical reactions, accidental leaks and spills and exposure to toxic gases.
One of the least understood hazards, however, are slips, trips and falls. Fall hazards in confined spaces can result at any point from entry to exit, and, of course, while the worker is doing
8 Occupational Health & Safety | JULY/AUGUST 2021
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