ABSTRACT
Confined spaces on first appearance may seem relatively hazard free, but contain many hazards that can pass as a threat to entry personnel. It is critical that each confined space in your facility be evaluated individually to determine that all hazards are identified. The following categories cover the major hazard groups found in confined spaces:
Atmospheric• Content issues• Potential energy• Environment in the space• Configuration of the space• Nature of the work• External hazards• Miscellaneous•
In addition to these hazards, which are unique to confined spaces, one must also contend with the general safety hazards that are present in any work environment. The evaluation must include an overall assessment of all of the potential hazards within the space. Ideally, hazards should be eliminated. If this is not possible, one
must control the hazards to a level of acceptable risk. The corporation’s employees must be aware of the general characteristics of confined spaces and how to recognize a work area that may not have been posted as a confined space. When doing repair maintenance work outside the plant, each service employee must be capable of recognizing and identifying a confined space, and take the proper procedures in dealing with the danger.
