What Are the Dangers of Working in Confined Spaces?

A confined space is an enclosed (or mostly enclosed) area that is not designed for human occupancy. Spaces that pose a risk of serious injury or death, or those with limited entry and exit points, can also be considered confined.

It is sometimes necessary to work in these confined spaces while carrying out repairs, maintenance and other tasks. For example, tank cleaners, mechanical fitters, industrial electricians and plumbers sometimes need to access confined spaces in order to get the job done.

What Are the Risks of Working in Confined Spaces?

The confined nature of these spaces can…

• Make it difficult to escape or rescue people in the event of an emergency
  
  
• Concentrate hazards, making them more dangerous (e.g. harmful gases and vapours)
  
  
• Result in insufficient oxygen levels, leading to suffocation
  
  
• Increase the risk of flooding
  
  
• Make explosions and fires more deadly
  
  
• Lead to dangerous increases in body temperature, potentially resulting in heatstroke, exhaustion and collapse

Safety Considerations for Work in Confined Spaces

Work in confined spaces should be avoided wherever possible. If it's unavoidable, a thorough atmospheric test and risk assessment must be carried out to identify any potential hazards so that a safety plan can be put in place.

For example:

• If the space has a risk of harmful fumes, consider how these can be ventilated or removed.
  
  
• If there is limited oxygen, the worker(s) must be provided with breathing apparatus.
  
  
• There should always be a comprehensive rescue plan in place – it is not enough to rely on emergency services.
  
  
• All workers must be trained in both the work itself and the use of any emergency equipment.
  
  
• There should always be a trained person on standby outside the confined space to monitor conditions and assist in the event of an emergency.
  
  

At SafetyLiftinGear, we supply a Confined Space Rescue Kit containing the essential equipment needed for rescue operations from confined spaces. This kit includes:

• 1x G-Force TM9-N Lightweight Safety Tripod
• 1x G-Force RUP502 20mtr Man Riding Rescue Winch
• 1x G-Force P10R Rescue Full Safety Harness
• 1x BW 4-Gas Detector
• 1x DRAGER 10minute Escape Kit

All of these products comply to EN standards and come with a 12-month warranty.

Buy Confined Space Rescue Kit

If you have any questions about our confined space rescue kit or confined space work in general, please don’t hesitate to contact us and a member of our team will be happy to help.