Weekly Safety Meeting

For The Construction Industry

CONFINED SPACES

PRIMARY POTENTIAL HEALTH AND PHYSICAL HAZARDS

• INSUFFICIENT OXYGEN – ASPHYXIATION – SUFFOCATION
• TOXIC AIR CONTAMINANTS – IMPAIRMENT – INCAPACITATION – DEATH
• FLAMMABLE GASES & VAPORS – FIRES & EXPLOSIONS

PRIMARY EXPOSURES FOR MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

• Entry into pipelines, ductwork, equipment housings, boilers, manholes, sewers, vaults, tunnels, shafts, vessels, pits, tanks, etc. that have limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and are not designed for continuous human occupancy
• Hot work inside a confined space that could change what would otherwise be acceptable atmospheric conditions to hazardous atmospheric conditions

COMMON HAZARDOUS GASES/ISSUES IN MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION

• Oxygen – Levels in confined spaces must be between 19.5% and 23.5%. Levels below 19.5% can lead to immediate organ damage and ultimately death. Levels that are too high can make the space more susceptible to fires and explosions.
• Methane – Is highly flammable (it is the main constituent of natural gas). Methane is not considered to be toxic. However, it can displace oxygen in the lungs leading to asphyxiation and suffocation.
• Carbon Monoxide – Prevents efficient exchange of oxygen in the circulatory system and can be fatal.
• Hydrogen Sulfide – Is highly flammable, and is considered a toxic substance. It is an irritant that can cause respiratory failure over time if it goes undetected.

SAFE WORK PRACTICES

• Treat every confined space as a Permit-Required space unless your company’s designated Competent Person and Entry Supervisor reclassify the space as Non-Permit Required.
• Never enter any confined space until you have the appropriate confined space entry safety training. Before entering any confined space, make sure the Competent Person has tested the atmospheric conditions inside the space and informed you that it is safe to enter.
• Once you enter the space, continuously monitor the atmosphere inside for changes that could render the space unsafe.
• Use monitoring equipment with built-in hazard detection alarms. If an alarm sound, exit the space immediately and do not re-enter until the Competent Person informs you that it is safe to do so.

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