Card 03.06 Confined spaces

THE RISKS:

Direct / indirect contact of employees with hazardous materials (due to the presence of fumes arising from residues not removed) with the consequences of different levels:
- lethals acute
- non-lethals irreversible, after a single exposure
- severe after repeated or prolonged exposure
- irritants
- sensitizing
- suffocation or asphyxia (for missing of oxygen in the environment)
- entrapment or burial (for collapse of walls or ceilings of tunnels, excavations, ..)
- burns (for explosion or fire)
- fall from the top (for tripping or slipping)
- contact with abrasive or sharp;
- bump, shot or crushing (by contact with moving parts);
- projection of solids and liquids;
- falling objects from above;
- contact with electrical voltage;
- animal bite or sting;
- fall of liquid in containers;
- exposure to biological agents;
- drowning to flooding.

It is necessary to remember that:
A "confined space" is any space "limited" in which the danger of death or serious injury is very high, due to the presence of substances or dangerous conditions. A typical example are the tanks, silos, tanks and underground, barrels, tanks, pipes, tunnels. If in the Company they are special environments, in which, if only to make cleaning or regular maintenance, you must "enter", it is always necessary to be extremely cautious and consider well what it contained, before taking any action.

PRACTICAL AND OPERATING INDICATIONS:

There are specific rules that allow you to qualify Enterprise and Self-employed persons who work, for the profession, in "confined or suspected pollution" spaces.

There are check-lists and illustrated manuals for working operators - even if only occasionally (just once!) - in confined spaces: consult them before taking action in an improvised way.

It must respect at least the basic rules (or "good practices") that help / oblige to:

adopt the suitable preliminary measures, such as signage, surveillance, monitoring of the environment, ...);
identify cases where it is appropriate not operate directly, but entrust the work to qualified businesses, more experienced and better equipped;
conduct a proper analysis of the situation and a proper risk assessment;
identify the characteristics of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) which may be considered appropriate to reduce the risks for a particular type of problem;
adopt an effective system of information, education, training and health surveillance;
define the necessary emergency procedures and rescue (solutions of technical, organizational and procedural), something can always go "wrong" and so it is good to keep yourself prepared for any eventuality

FURTHER INDICATIONS AND ADVICE

The integrity and the functionality of tools and personals protective equipment (shoes, suit, gloves, helmet, harness, .. ) must be thoroughly verified before use.
Always make available near the place where the activities take place, a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher (usually in powder form)
Make available every time water for washing and to reduce the extent of possible contamination
restrict the access in the area and fix appropriate signage or delimit the area for forbidden access to unauthorized persons
Work in pairs, with one person who will never enter in the zone "at risk" and that it can keep the situation under control, possibly giving the alarm
Predispose operational procedures and emergency procedures (including any block plant )
In the event of award of the work to "third parties" , make sure of their professionalism
Always remember that the mask used to protect themselves from pesticides does not protect against concentrations of polluted too high , does not protect against all the pollutants and it is absolutely ineffective in the case of oxygen deficiency (in such cases it is necessary to have at disposition a "respirator").
Before accessing the interior of the confined environment, proceed to make a homogeneous ventilation of the whole volume.
Always verify previously the presence of gases and vapors flammable, and residues of substances in its interior, which may result from the work in process or deposit but also from connecting pipes or leaks or spills.
At the first signs of asphyxiation or intoxication , give warning and try to get away from the area.