A confined space does not necessarily mean a small, enclosed space like a manhole. It could be rather large, such as a clarifier, a boiler, or a pit.
One of the first defining features of a confined space is it’s large enough to allow an employee to enter and perform work. The second defining feature is it has limited means of entry or exit. Entry may be obtained through small or large openings and usually there is only one way in and out. The third defining feature is that confined spaces are not used for continuous or routine work.
All confined spaces contain serious health and safety threats including:
- Oxygen-deficient atmospheres
- Flammable atmospheres
- Toxic atmospheres
- Mechanical or physical hazards
- Engulfment hazard
Although the danger in a confined space is obvious, the type of danger often is not. For example, a confined space with sufficient oxygen might become an oxygen-deficient space once a worker begins cleaning, vacuuming, pumping or performing other tasks.
These are some of the reasons confined spaces are hazardous:
- Lack of adequate ventilation can cause the atmosphere to become life threatening because of harmful gases.
- The oxygen content of the air can drop below the level required for human life.
- Many gases are explosive and can be set off by a spark.
- Even dust is an explosion hazard in a confined space.
- Confined spaces often have physical hazards, such as moving equipment and machinery like agitators or pump suctions.
- Tanks and other enclosed confined spaces can be filled with materials unless the flow process for filling it is controlled.
Before entering any confined space you are to be trained to the Ted Berry Company Confined Space Entry Safety Policy and have a competent Project Supervisor fill out a Ted Berry Company confined space entry form.
Matt Timberlake – Vice President