There’s no way around it. The standard demands a lot from safety professionals in terms of record-keeping, training, permits, as well as a written program. Complying with confined space training Sydney standard is a complex task.
There are still dangers. This is because mistakes made in confined space entry are often deadly.
Sometimes workers aren’t familiar with the rules, and this can lead to mistakes. Sometimes, workers make shortcuts. In both cases, the Services Team has found that serious accidents can often be traced back to one or more key breakdowns. The following “Five Tips on Safety in Confined Spaces.”
- Monitor the area immediately before, and during, entry
Simply put, being aware of the conditions inside a small space can make all the difference in the world. Employees should be aware of all hazards inside the space before they enter it. Risk involves exposure to a toxic, oxygen-enriched, or flammable atmosphere.
Because atmospheric conditions can change quickly, it is crucial to monitor the space once you enter. You should have a monitor that can send an alarm to employees who enter the confined space.
- Removing hazards from confined spaces is important
The entry permit that authorizes entry to a permit-required space must document compliance with this section. These measures may include equipment lockouts or tags, as well as the procedures for flushing, venting, and purging permit spaces.
Before anyone can enter a confined space they must first:
Eliminate energy-related hazards
Double block and bleeding lines that run into the space
Ventilate the area if it is filled with a hazardous atmosphere
Remove engulfment hazards
- Make sure to account for potential hazards.
Workers will usually enter small spaces to accomplish a specific task. Workers are often required to carry tools into these spaces. You must consider the nature of the work to be done to avoid creating an unsafe environment.
To avoid spark-producing tools or oxygen-rich environments, we recommend that welding tools are not used in areas above the lower explosive limit. Also, welding materials can produce deadly carbon monoxide. Ventilation may also be required. Monitoring may be required to ensure safety.
- Have trained rescue workers on-site and ready
you should select a rescue organization or service that: “Can reach victims within a reasonable time frame; is proficient in performing rescue services; can inform rescue teams and service about the dangers they may face when called upon to rescue the site, and gives access to all permit space from which rescue may need to be performed so that rescue service can prepare rescue plans and practice operation.”
Only qualified rescuers are allowed to enter confined spaces to rescue victims. Nearly half of all fatalities in confined-space rescues involve the rescuer. It is, therefore, crucial to prohibit non-rescue qualified personnel from entering confined areas.
The alarming rise in fatalities due to confined-space accidents is partly because rescuers are often called upon from outside. Most often, rescuers will be members of the local Fire Department. They may not be informed of an entry. It is even possible that the responders don’t know they’ve been assigned as a rescue team.
If a worker is trapped in an oxygen-deficient environment or toxic environment, survival depends on immediate rescue. The two most important things to do when an entrant is in danger of death is to notify the outside party immediately.
The outside party arrives too late
A coworker who is not trained enters the enclosed space to try and rescue the entrant. This often leads to a second fatality.
Before entering the space, you must work with the rescue team. Rescuers should be familiar with the space and what rescue equipment is needed in case of an emergency.
- Use a mechanical rescue device
If possible, rescuers can use a tripod and a hoist to free the worker from the enclosed space. A key advantage of rescue is that it can be done immediately after the hazard is detected. Also, with the response team ready, it increases the chances for a successful rescue.