While confined spaces are not necessarily designed for people, workers often need to access these spaces to perform maintenance, repairs or inspections. Maintenance tunnels, silos, tanks and pipes are all examples of confined spaces workers may need to access. But while this work is necessary, confined spaces are often very dangerous work environments. Workers in confined spaces need to be trained to identify the hazards of a confined space and follow safety procedures to avoid them.

What makes confined spaces unsafe?

There are many factors that may pose a threat to the safety of workers in a confined space. Here are three of the most common hazards of working in a confined space:

1. Fall risk — Many confined spaces require ladders or lifts to access. Workers may also need to perform work while suspended on a lift or platform. Falling from a ladder or lift can result in serious injury. This is especially true in a confined space where they may collide with walls or equipment as they fall.

2. Exposure to harmful substances — Harmful gases or other materials may be present inside of a confined workspace. Many gases, such as hydrogen sulfide, can build up inside of confined spaces, and they may not be able to be detected by smell. Exposure to harmful substances can result in injury, long-term illness and even death.

3. Risk of entrapment — In some confined spaces, unstable materials such as water, gravel or grain might be present. If workers become trapped in these materials by accident, they may fall victim to asphyxiation before rescue teams can free them.

How can I ensure the safety of my workers in a confined space?

There are many procedures and policies set in place to help prevent injury and death while working in a confined space. Workers who are unaware of these procedures risk injuring themselves and others. This is why confined space training is extremely important to ensuring that your confined space workers remain safe on the job.

Basin Safety is ready and equipped to provide your workers with the training they need to stay safe while working within a confined space. Our Confined Space Entry & Operations training program is compliant with all OSHA standards, and provides the hands-on training and knowledge of procedure required to ensure workplace safety. Our Confined Space Rescue Training program also prepares your team to act quickly and prevent injury in the event of an emergency. We can even provide your work site with a highly trained confined spaces rescue team.

Basin Safety offers dozens of workplace safety programs that are compliant with all federal and local regulations.

Contact us today to learn more about our training services, as well as our field, equipment and consultation services for a wide variety of industries.