Open HSME menu
Subscribe Login

Home / Articles and Press Releases / Article / Confining Risk

CATEGORIES

  • Latest Issue
  • Above The Neck Protection
  • Chemical Protection
  • Confined Space
  • Construction
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Energy, Oil, and Mining Industries
  • Eye Protection
  • Fall Protection
  • Gas Detection
  • Hand Protection
  • Hazardous and Explosive Atmospheres
  • Health and Safety Awareness
  • Hearing Protection
  • Heat
  • Lighting and ATEX
  • Noise Monitoring
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Respiratory Protection
  • Safety Footwear
  • Safety Technology
  • Safety Training
  • Slips, Trips, and Falls
  • Wellbeing at work
  • Working at Height
  • Working rights

MORE

  • Press Release
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Magazines

COMPANY

  • About
  • Advertising
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Open HSME menu
Subscribe

Home / Articles and Press Releases / Article / Confining Risk

CATEGORIES

  • Latest Issue
  • Above The Neck Protection
  • Chemical Protection
  • Confined Space
  • Construction
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Energy, Oil, and Mining Industries
  • Eye Protection
  • Fall Protection
  • Gas Detection
  • Hand Protection
  • Hazardous and Explosive Atmospheres
  • Health and Safety Awareness
  • Hearing Protection
  • Heat
  • Lighting and ATEX
  • Noise Monitoring
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Respiratory Protection
  • Safety Footwear
  • Safety Technology
  • Safety Training
  • Slips, Trips, and Falls
  • Wellbeing at work
  • Working at Height
  • Working rights

MORE

  • Press Release
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Webinars
  • Magazines

COMPANY

  • About
  • Advertising
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

CATEGORIES

  • Heat and Flame
  • Safety Signage
  • Article
  • Press Release
  • Air Pollution
  • Above The Neck Protection
  • Chemical Protection
  • Confined Space
  • Construction
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Energy, Oil, and Mining Industries
  • Eye Protection
  • Fall Protection
  • Gas Detection
  • Hand Protection
  • Hazardous and Explosive Atmospheres
  • Health and Safety Awareness
  • Hearing Protection
  • Heat
  • Lighting and ATEX
  • Noise Monitoring
  • Offshore Platform Safety
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Regulations & Legislations
  • Respiratory Protection
  • Safety Footwear
  • Safety Technology
  • Safety Training
  • Slips, Trips, and Falls
  • Wellbeing at work
  • Working at Height
  • Working rights

Article

Confining Risk

By Gary Watts

| Read Bio

Published: February 05th, 2013

Share this article

Gary Watts highlights the dangers of confined space complacency.

Identifying risk

At the time of writing, the United Kingdom’s Health & Safety Executive (HSE) had released statistics for workplace accidents, including fatalities, for the period of April to December, 2012. Alarmingly, 192 workplace fatalities are listed for this period. With the last quarter’s statistics still to be submitted, there is already an increase on the previous year’s fatalities of more than ten percent. Within these figures, confined space related deaths make up approximately one quarter of the total fatalities. The causes of these deaths will undoubtedly be far and wide, but one thing links them all: they could have, and should have, been avoided.

While some working requirements come with an inherent elevated risk attached, no sane person goes to work content in the knowledge that they could be harmed or even killed as a result of the work they will be undertaking that day. The figures, however, speak for themselves – confined space accidents still happen.

The HSE regulations define confined space works as “Any place in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a specified risk of harm from fire or explosion; loss of consciousness from increase in body temperature; loss of consciousness or asphyxiation from gas, vapour or lack of oxygen; drowning or asphyxiation from free flowing solids.”

Additionally, the regulation also surmises that “Confined space entry should be avoided if an alternative means of achieving work can be completed. If entry is unavoidable, however, then a safe system of work should be followed. No person shall enter or carry out work in a confined space without sufficient arrangements for the rescue of persons in the event of an emergency. Also, where there is a likely consequence of a relevant risk, the provision of resuscitation equipment must be provided.”

Case studies

Case studies on confined space incidents include a junior officer on a cargo ship who entered a cargo hold via a ladder. Overcome by gases, he fell unconscious, falling as he lost his grip on the ladder. Despite retrieval by shipmates after the alarm was raised, the officer later died in hospital.

Another report highlights a UK based business which had been reported by the HSE for failing to provide staff with adequate confined space training and appropriate equipment. Despite being served with an improvement notice in 2008, on two further site visits conducted by the HSE in 2011 it was identified that the company had not adhered to the improvement notice. Along with insufficient safe systems of work, uncalibrated and unsafe equipment was still being used, putting workers’ lives at risk.

A particularly worrying case study in a US based business involved a single operative who entered a confined space vessel without any breathing apparatus, was overcome by harmful gases and was rendered unconscious. During a lengthy attempt to retrieve the casualty, rescue personnel cut away at the vessel to create a viable access point for casualty retrieval. The resulting sparks combined with gases within the vessel causing an explosion, which ultimately caused two fatalities and injured 15 others.

Contrary to this apparent lack of knowledge, confined space work is not a new concept. With health and safety legislation guiding employers on safe systems of work, these environments should be safer places. Manufacturers are constantly developing safety and rescue based equipment and the marketplace as it stands is saturated with products that assist with safe entry and egress from confined space works.

On the whole, gas detection equipment and self-rescue breathing apparatus are utilised by operatives during confined space entry, along with some form of fall arrest system for safer entry and egress. Training on safe working procedures within these environments is also readily available to all levels of abilities, so why are people still being harmed – or worse yet killed – when working in confined spaces?

Interpreting risk

The guidance on defining what is or is not a confined space is in itself open to individual interpretation. In recent years, I have witnessed contractors attempting to declassify what was clearly an enclosed works location in an effort to bypass the costs associated with confined space work.

I have also seen method statements for confined space work created by someone office based who hadn’t even seen the location first hand, and therefore perhaps lacking a working understanding of the associated hazards. I have conducted site visits where, upon questioning a ‘what if’ scenario at a grain processing plant, I was told that to clear a blockage in the overhead ducting a lone engineer would enter via a ladder – with no more than a shovel as PPE.

I have no doubt that ten people could all review the same enclosed or confined space environment and create ten different risk assessments, method statements and emergency action plans to accommodate the same works. These safe systems of work would also vary depending on the individuals’ attitudes to risk – so who’s right and who’s wrong?

General attitudes towards working in confined spaces have improved dramatically since the enforcement of legislation, with conscientious employers addressing all related issues with the deserved respect. Some businesses, however, view these operational duties thinking only of the job in hand, perceiving that the entrant needs only to enter, achieve the task required, then exit. In other cases, insufficient understanding of the hazards and misplaced concerns regarding finances and potential expenses associated with achieving the task can have an impact on the safe works process. Ultimately, it’s the appropriate consideration given to the ‘what if’ scenario that will ensure a safe system of work in any given workplace.

With confined space works covering a wide range of industries and operational requirements, there are various working scenarios to contend with and one plan cannot fit all eventualities. Confined spaces are not just ‘holes in the ground’, and as industry and commerce evolve so do the associated workplace locations and hazards. Appropriate consideration must be given to safe systems of work at each workplace environment based on its own merits.

If you aim to ensure that the operational requirements of working in a confined space are fulfilled by planning for worst case scenarios that include all associated hazards – both present and introduced by the works party – then you should also factor in the manpower and equipment needed to ensure an expedient extrication of a casualty if required in an emergency.

It’s this element that in my experience is overlooked the most. Planning for an emergency is often perceived as an expensive and potentially unnecessary objective, or perhaps it’s not planned to an accurate level relative to the hazards to which the workforce could be exposed. Either way, not enough emphasis is placed on the safe system of casualty extrication during an emergency situation.

Risk severity

In addition to the statistics initially listed, there is one more to be aware of. Around 60 percent of all confined space related fatalities in the UK are not attributed to the individual who became impaired in the first place, but rather to the would be rescuer who went in to assist. This figure confirms, to some extent at least, that considerations of emergency planning are not always what they should be. Whether it’s down to a lack of understanding and training, or inadequate or nonexistent safety and rescue equipment, somebody somewhere in the loop didn’t pay due diligence to the severity of workplace hazards.

Reducing risks

Risks associated with workplace hazards can be reduced with appropriate management and enforcement of additional safety measures. What cannot be reduced, however, is the severity of those hazards if they are realised. It is perhaps this element of planning the safe working system that is overlooked most frequently. A general misconception is that by addressing the risk, the severity associated with that risk is also somehow reduced.

If something can go wrong in the workplace, appropriate measures should be planned and implemented. Just as you would expect to find a first aid kit located within every office environment, on that basis so too should confined space works include rescue and recovery equipment, along with appropriate first aid supplies. This should also include resuscitation equipment where the potential for respiratory based injuries are identified.

Onsite emergency response teams should approach every hazardous workplace project encountered prepared first and foremost for the worst case scenario. From that point on they can work backwards towards the actual task being undertaken by the contractor. In doing so, responders can work towards reducing the exposure of risk, but more importantly they will be physically prepared and equipped to deal with the severity of those risks in the event of an emergency.

This attitude to workplace risks can be and indeed has been perceived as excessive on occasion. When attending an industrial based site in an emergency response capacity, contractors witness – with eyebrows raised – rope rescue and fall arrest systems being erected along with the placement of stretchers and emergency response grab bags.

This ‘safety to excess’ also attracts debate, including validity of purpose among operatives towards the team itself; however, if this preparedness means that works are conducted without incident, and that any incidents responded to can be dealt with promptly and professionally with appropriate intervention applied, then I say let them raise their eyebrows. By expecting the worst in any given situation, you’re better prepared to meet and manage the challenge of an emergency should it arise.

Some incidents are more likely to attract a potentially fatal outcome. A serious fall from height, either in or out of a confined space environment, without any form of fall restraint or arrest in place could lead to a casualty suffering from skeletal damage with possible internal injuries; however, through correctly identifying the workplace hazards prior to commencement of works, selecting the appropriate risk controls and planning for the severity of actual harm, workplace incidents could be significantly reduced and should no longer include the potential of a fatal outcome.

Summary

In this current global economic climate, we acknowledge that now more than ever workplace costs are being scrutinised and assessed. As such, some areas of business operations may be deemed unnecessary or lack the deserved priority. When lives are at stake, however, it is worth asking ourselves ‘What are the personal and business costs associated with workplace injuries and fatalities?’

Working processes in any given worldwide industry should not come with the potential price tag of loss of human life. Morally, ethically and financially, this is far too high a price to pay for what boils down to the underestimation of a hazardous working environment.

Other than working at height, no other type of work generates the same number of incidents or fatalities as working within confined space. If for only that reason, ensure that when you plan for your next job where these related hazards are present, you can honestly say that you have planned for a worst case scenario where the potential for an emergency response is accommodated.

Published: 02nd May 2013 in Health and Safety Middle East

Share this article

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gary Watts

Visit Website

POPULAR POSTS BY Gary Watts

Article

Planning for the Worst

Article

Confining Risk

Article

On-Site Medical Response

Get email updates

Sign up for the HSME newsletter

Keep up-to-date through the power of email with the region's only industrial health and safety magazine - delivering the latest news and products to satisfy all your occupational safety needs.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

FEATURED ARTICLES

Advertisement

SOCIAL MEDIA

HSME on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/HSMEMagazine/

Advertisement

SOCIAL MEDIA

HSME on Twitter

hsmemagazine HSME Magazine @hsmemagazine ·
1 Feb

isafe MOBILE announces the immediate availability of the world’s first 5G smartphone for ATEX and IECEx zone 1/21.

The IS540.1 is available immediately, find out more today: https://www.hsmemagazine.com/press-release/is540-1-available-now/

#hsmemagazine #isafeMOBILE #ATEX #IECEx

Reply on Twitter 1620747838971088898 Retweet on Twitter 1620747838971088898 Like on Twitter 1620747838971088898 2 Twitter 1620747838971088898

Advertisement

SUBSCRIBE

Stay up to date with our newsletter

Keep up-to-date through the power of email with the region’s only industrial health and safety magazine – delivering the latest news and products to satisfy all your occupational safety needs.

 

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
2

Subscribe

SUBSCRIBE TO HSME MAGAZINE

5 reasons to subscribe to our digital and print package

  • Stay up to date from anywhere in the world, with instant access to the latest issue straight from your phone, tablet or laptop.
  • Trust that you’re getting the best content from our range of internationally accredited authors.
  • Get full access to our archives and see how occupational safety has evolved with us over the years.
  • Enjoy our monthly newsletter curated with up-to-the-minute news and a selection of editor’s top picks.
  • Hot off the press and straight to your door – look forward to your own glossy copy of HSME, delivered five times a year
Subscribe View Subscription levels

STAY SAFE & INFORMED

Subscribe to the best health & safety articles, news, products and regulations

Find out more

Stay up to date with our newsletter

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

ABOUT

  • About HSME
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

YOUR ACCOUNT

Sign In Register Account Subscribe to HSME

RESOURCES

Request Media Pack

CONNECT

ACCREDITATIONS

Copyright Bay Publishing 2023. All Rights reserved.

Designed & Built by:
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT