What Are Confined Spaces?
Many workplaces have areas that are considered “confined spaces.” Because these spaces are not designed for people. They may only be big enough for workers to enter and perform certain jobs. A confined space also has limited or restricted means for entry or exit and is not designed for continuous occupancy. Confined spaces include, but are not limited to, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, pits, manholes, tunnels, equipment housings, duct-work, pipelines, etc.
In this course, we will discuss the permit system and duties of entrants. As well as, attendants, supervisors and rescue and emergency services. You will learn to recognize what is a permit and non-permit required space. There will be a review of monitoring and entry equipment. Some class time will be spent doing hands-on practice, in an actual confined space..
There is also a second, more in-depth class available on Confined Space Rescue. This is a three-day class taught in your facility. Participants will learn how to safely retrieve and rescue an entrant from a confined space.
When it comes to confined spaces there are a lot of dangers to be aware of, which is why this class can be so important to anyone working in a confined space. Some of the more major hazards include the areas being a toxic atmosphere. A toxic atmosphere can cause many effects, like impairing judgement, causing someone to go unconscious and sometimes it can even cause death. Another hazard to worry about is oxygen deficiency, sometimes air can get displaced in a confined space and be replaced by another gas. Not to mention various biological processes that can take away oxygen. A flammable or explosive atmosphere is also a huge hazard, which can most of the time result in death.
