Thursday, March 5, 2015

Using The Appropriate Confined Space Entry Equipment Will Save Lives

Using The Appropriate Confined Space Entry Equipment Will Save Lives

By Leslie Ball


Since part of the definition of a confined space means people can fit in it, care and safety must be upper most in their minds. Another part of that definition requires some crouching or crawling, so that makes it an even more serious endeavor to enter or exit. Identifying and properly using confined space entry equipment is necessary for anyone working in these spaces.

A basic example of one of these spaces is a storage tank. It might have held anything, liquid, granulated or a gas. The correct equipment would depend on what is currently in there and what was in there, before you arrived. There may be or may have been flammable or explosive gas. There might be a danger that, whatever is there, it could engulf or drown you if you are not prepared.

A flashlight is a handy item to have on hand for just about any areas you are going to crawl into. Since many of these spaces are limited in height, this is a good call. Gloves are good unless you know, for a fact, there is nothing in there that can cut you. Anything to protect you from real or imagined dangers should be considered before attempting this work.

Sewer grates or sewer man hole covers are what a lot of people think about when confined areas are discussed. This is not at all far from the point, however, not all entries must be facilitated with a tripod lowering the worker down. This type of tripod is definitely a piece of equipment to consider when entering a space below grade, however, anything that assists the worker in their entrance and exits is needed.

A major consideration is the possibility of gas and this must always be prepared for. A gas detector is a common item to have on hand. Before this is effective, it must be understood at what level of exposure does damage to the worker happen. It might cause unconsciousness, irritation to the skin or eyes or anything else. If there is something that can cause health concerns, protective clothing and breathing apparatus must be employed or the gas must be evacuated from the space, completely.

Many of these spaces are termed permit required. This usually means there are definite dangers within it. Lights are required and the use of fans to thoroughly vent the air before entry is allowed. The permit process requires completing paperwork, along with a check list of tools, supplies and protocols to take or follow.

Any entry that is permit required is also established as at least a two person operation. The use of radios to stay in constant contact with each other is also usually required. In some cases, all personnel within this area are required to be in sight of each other. The appropriate tools for this project can be anything that protects the entrants from anything in the space.

Each one of these spaces will need different equipment and it must be identified and implemented as the work becomes necessary. There may be small items, such as detectors for various substances or large tripods and even tools for removing a bolt to open the port. It all depends on what is needed to open, enter and move about in the space.




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