60 per cent of confined space fatalities are rescuers
Confined spaces are hazardous work environments, each year a number of workers are killed or injured working in these confined spaces – and interestingly, a whopping 60 per cent of the fatalities are among rescuers.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) defines a confined space as a fully or partially enclosed space which is not primarily intended (or designed) for human occupancy, has limited access such as a restricted entrance or exit, and due to its design or the materials it contains can be a serious health and safety hazard.
With this broad definition, confined space safety is definitely a cross-industry issue. It affects workers from a range of environments including mining, construction, manufacturing or utilities. A range of hazards arrive in confined spaces, here are some of the big ones according to the CCOHS.
Poor air quality. The CCOHS says that confined spaces may feature poor amounts of oxygen for the worker to breathe. They can also feature toxic gases or asphyxiants – which are gases that can displace the level of oxygen in the air. This is why ventilation is so important
Chemical exposures. Atmospheric hazards are so much more than just gas. Standard gas monitors check on things such as oxygen, explosives or carbon monoxide. Speaking with COS, Rubicon Safety’s Doug Legg says that atmospheric hazards include so much more including dusts, fumes and vapours which can result in acute health effects. Exposure can happen through inhalation or ingestion, or even skin contact.
Fire hazards. Fire hazards are a huge risk in confined spaces. Tim Morrison, risk management and confined space expert and president of SafetyScope Inc, told COS that Toronto has around 3,200 firefighters, 72 of which are trained in confined space rescue*, “and even those who are trained often can’t get to you fast enough.”
*Please note that these numbers were accurate at publication date but may differ now.
Process-related hazards. The CCOHS refers to these as “residual chemicals, or release of contents of a supply line.”
Read more: Six critical confined space safety requirements
Physical hazards. In a confined space, all hazards are exacerbated. Noise hazards, extreme thermal conditions such as heat or cold, and even radiation. There is a very long list of confined space safety hazards, which is why it is so important that risk assessment be done and a complete safety plan be in place.
Safety hazards. Writing for COS, Michelle Morra says that gases are far from being the only hazards in a confined space. Workers may be at risk of entanglement, or slipping and tripping. Indeed, all those classic safety hazards remain hazards in confined space settings, and can be exacerbated by the physical features of the space (limited entrance or exit, poorly designed for humans, etc.).
Vehicular and pedestrian traffic. If means of entrance or egress are not properly thought out, and there isn’t a safety plan in place, then traffic can be a huge hazard for workers. In addition, if access to the space has not been properly restricted, workers can be at risk of outside vehicular or pedestrian traffic – who certainly may not be fully aware of confined space safety rules.
Shifting or collapse of bulk material (engulfment). Safety Manual OSHA says that engulfment “causes physical harm when the material has enough force on the body to cause injury or death by constriction, crushing, or strangulation.” In a small space, this is especially dangerous.
Barrier failure that results in a flood or release of free-flowing solid or liquid. This one is pretty self-explanatory, and is especially a risk for those in the utilities sector (e.g. sanitation workers for example).
Visibility. Going back to poor air quality or fire hazards, lack of visibility can of course be a huge hazard in any confined space (and in any work space).
Biological hazards. Slightly different from chemical hazards but just as important, the CCOHS says that biological hazards can occur in confined spaces, such as viruses or bacteria from fecal matter or mould.
