Page 74 - OHS, October 2023

CONFINED SPACES Navigating the Hidden Dangers of Confined Spaces Understanding the invisible dangers and the critical importance of preparedness in confined work environments. BY OMAR VIKIN OSHA mandates testing the confined space atmosphere in Your workmate enters a confined space and collapses. this order: What do you do? Most would follow their instinct and try to immediately rescue him. The problem is, would-be ■ For oxygen rescuers account for 60 percent of fatalities in confined ■ For combustible gases ■ For toxic gases and vapors spaces.1 The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 1,030 workers Examples of confined spaces include wind turbines, sewers, died in confined space incidents from 2011 to 2018.2 According to Certified Safety Professional Mark Cangemi, Se- manholes, storm drains, crawl spaces, septic tanks, silos, vats, boilers, pumping/lifting stations, ducts, pipelines and more. They nior Technical Training Specialist at Honeywell, an overall lack are located across numerous industries and may be encountered of training and hazard recognition contributes to these risks. He adds, “The No. 1 cause of fatalities in confined spaces is prevent- in virtually any occupation. The main reason workers enter con- fined spaces is to perform their work functions of routine mainte- able atmospheric hazards.” When a person collapses due to invis- nance, repairs, and inspections of the confined space. ible hazards, the same dangers are present for those attempting a rescue, putting them at risk of succumbing to the same hazard as the initial victim. Permit Spaces The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) If confined spaces are present on a worksite, the employer must defines confined space as any space that: have a competent person determine whether the confined spaces 1. Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit are “permit spaces.” A permit space has one or more of the fol- 2. Is large enough for a person to enter to perform tasks lowing characteristics: (1) contains or has the potential to con- 3. Is not designed or configured for continuous occupancy tain a hazardous atmosphere; (2) contains a material that has the noomcpk/Shutterstock.com 74 Occupational Health & Safety | OCTOBER 2023 www.ohsonline.com