confined spaces
A confined space is
'Any
place, including any: Chamber, Tank, Vat, Silo, Pit, Trench, Pipe, Sewer,
Flue, Well or similar space in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature,
there arises a reasonably foreseeable Specified Risk'.
Confined spaces are
dangerous due to their potential to kill quickly and with
little or no warning. Approximately 15 people are killed each year, but the
surprising thing is that around 10 of these are potential 'rescuers'. This
is usually because whatever killed the entrant can't be seen, and when
onlookers try to help, they too are overcome by the same phenomena.
The main legislation
is the 'Confined Space Regulations 1997', but other regulations such as the
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also apply. These
regulations require that:
a suitable and
sufficient assessment of the risks for all work activities for the purpose
of deciding what measures are necessary for safety. For work in confined
spaces this means identifying the hazards present, assessing the risks and
determining what precautions to take. In most cases the assessment will
include consideration of:
-
the task;
-
the working
environment;
-
working materials
and tools;
-
the suitability of
those carrying out the task;
-
arrangements for
emergency rescue.
A
crucial requirement is that all persons who enter a confined space must be
adequately trained. Marsden Fire Safety Ltd offer a one day on site basic
confined space entry course anywhere in the UK.
Click here for further information.
We also
supply CONFINED SPACE EQUIPMENT
such as gas detectors, tripods and winches etc.
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