Preventive tools for working in confined spaces
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2025 6:18 am
This week, Rosario Castañeda, professor of the Official University Master's Degree in Management of Occupational Risk Prevention, Excellence, the Environment and Corporate Responsibility at Bureau Veritas University Center , talks to us about preventive tools for working in confined spaces.
According to the definition published by the National Institute for Safety and Hygiene at Work (INSHT) : "A confined space is any space with limited entry and exit openings and unfavorable natural ventilation, in which toxic or flammable contaminants may accumulate, or have an atmosphere deficient in oxygen, and which is not designed for continuous occupation by the worker."
As preventionists, we are faced with a complex challenge viber data and we must ask ourselves: what tools do we have to protect workers in these circumstances?
The first thing we need to do is identify the existing dangers and carry out the corresponding risk assessment . The general risks of working in confined spaces are: mechanical and electrical risks, falls from different levels, falling objects and bad postures, etc.
The specific risks of working in confined spaces are fire and explosion, asphyxiation and poisoning by chemical contaminants such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S ) , carbon dioxide (CO2 ) , carbon monoxide (CO), etc.
Once we have identified the risks, we must plan preventive activities taking into account the prioritization of collective protection measures over individual ones, as established in current legislation.
What preventive measures are most appropriate ? There is no single answer and the choice of one measure or another will depend on the type of confined space and the type of process to be carried out within that space. We must establish the following minimum measures :
Authorization to access the space : special work permits are, in my experience, the key to correct risk control since they provide all the necessary information in the smallest possible space.
Measurement and evaluation of the atmosphere of the space : this point is also of utmost importance and we must take it into account if our activity involves access to confined spaces, because we must have personnel with sufficient training in RD 681/2003 and measurement equipment in accordance with RD 400/1996.
Ventilation and Extraction : this measure will allow us to renew enough air so that there is no significant concentration of contaminants or oxygen deficiency.
External surveillance : the worker must be in permanent communication with the outside world for any eventual rescue that may occur.
Training : Training is essential if we want to obtain good results in prevention management and especially in raising awareness of such significant risks.
Can we face this challenge? Of course, and to do so we must prepare and train ourselves in the subject, as Aristotle said: "You cannot untie a knot without knowing how it is made."
According to the definition published by the National Institute for Safety and Hygiene at Work (INSHT) : "A confined space is any space with limited entry and exit openings and unfavorable natural ventilation, in which toxic or flammable contaminants may accumulate, or have an atmosphere deficient in oxygen, and which is not designed for continuous occupation by the worker."
As preventionists, we are faced with a complex challenge viber data and we must ask ourselves: what tools do we have to protect workers in these circumstances?
The first thing we need to do is identify the existing dangers and carry out the corresponding risk assessment . The general risks of working in confined spaces are: mechanical and electrical risks, falls from different levels, falling objects and bad postures, etc.
The specific risks of working in confined spaces are fire and explosion, asphyxiation and poisoning by chemical contaminants such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S ) , carbon dioxide (CO2 ) , carbon monoxide (CO), etc.
Once we have identified the risks, we must plan preventive activities taking into account the prioritization of collective protection measures over individual ones, as established in current legislation.
What preventive measures are most appropriate ? There is no single answer and the choice of one measure or another will depend on the type of confined space and the type of process to be carried out within that space. We must establish the following minimum measures :
Authorization to access the space : special work permits are, in my experience, the key to correct risk control since they provide all the necessary information in the smallest possible space.
Measurement and evaluation of the atmosphere of the space : this point is also of utmost importance and we must take it into account if our activity involves access to confined spaces, because we must have personnel with sufficient training in RD 681/2003 and measurement equipment in accordance with RD 400/1996.
Ventilation and Extraction : this measure will allow us to renew enough air so that there is no significant concentration of contaminants or oxygen deficiency.
External surveillance : the worker must be in permanent communication with the outside world for any eventual rescue that may occur.
Training : Training is essential if we want to obtain good results in prevention management and especially in raising awareness of such significant risks.
Can we face this challenge? Of course, and to do so we must prepare and train ourselves in the subject, as Aristotle said: "You cannot untie a knot without knowing how it is made."