What Is Confined Space – Working In A Confined Space Can Cause Serious Injury Or Even Death In Any Industry, Ranging From Complex Plants To Industries And Simple Storage. The Victims Of A Confined Space Accident Include Not Only The People Working In It, But Also Those Who Try To Rescue Them Without Proper Training And Equipment. That Is Why It Is Very Important To First Know About Confined Space Kya Hai, Its Hazards And Precautions, So That Any Kind Of Untoward Incident Can Be Avoided.
Working In A Small Area Can Be Extremely Risky. There Are Thousands Of People Who Risk Their Lives In The Workplace Every Day, But Having The Right Training, Properly Identifying Risks And Knowing What Procedures You Should Follow Can Help Improve Your Chances Of Staying Safe At All Times. Let’s Take A Look At What A Confined Space Is.
What Is Confined Space?
What Is Confined Space – Confined Space Is Defined As An Area Or Place That Has Limited Or Restricted Means Of Entry Or Exit. Additionally, It Is Not Designed For Continued Human Habitation And May Contain Many Types Of Hazards.
For Instance, Our Room Is Designed To Accommodate Our Continuous Use And Is Completely Enclosed From All Sides With A Cozy Door For Entry And Exit. But This Is Not The Case With Confined Space, It Is Not Made For Human Habitation, There Are Many Kinds Of Dangers In It, It Is Such A Place Where There Is A Risk Of Serious Injury Or Death For The People Working There.
Types Of Confined Space
Knowing The Different Types Of Confining Space Is Crucial After Understanding What It Is. Some Confined Spaces Are Quite Easy To Identify, Such As A Place Which Has Limited Opening:-
- Storage Tank
- Silos
- Reaction Vessels
- Drains With Covers; Sewers
- Wells
- Tunnels
- Pits
- Boxes
- Shafts
Other Enclosed Spaces Might Be Less Obvious But Just As Dangerous, Such As:
- Chambers
- Vats
- Combustion Chambers In Furnaces
- Pipes
- Unventilated Or Poorly Ventilated
- Rooms
- Flues
- Hatches.
It Is Not Possible To Provide A Comprehensive List Of Confined Spaces. Some Spaces May Become Confined Spaces During Their Creation Or Subsequent Modification When Work Is Carried Out.
Dangers In A Contained Space (Hazards in Confined Space)
After Understanding What Is Confined Space And Types Of Confined Space, It Comes To The Dangers Inside It. If You Look Closely, A Confining Space Can Also Be A Large Area That Is Big Enough For A Worker To Enter But Only Has A Few Ways To Get In Or Out. It Doesn’t Have Any Ventilation And Wasn’t Made To Work Continuously For A Long Time. Hazards Can Arise In Confined Space Entry As It Contains Various Types Of Hazards . The Threats To Confined Space That Must Be Evaluated Are Listed Below.
1. Toxic Atmosphere
Confined Spaces May Contain Toxic Hazards That Can Only Be Detected By Testing. Lack Of Oxygen O2 , Hydrogen Sulfide H2S , Carbon Monoxide CO Are Common Hazards In Confined Spaces That Can Be Detected With A Portable Gas Monitor.
Depending On The Environment And Nature Of The Work, Workers Working In Confined Spaces May Be Exposed To A Large Number Of Toxic Elements.
For Example, Generators Used In A Confined Space Produce Carbon Monoxide CO In The Exhaust Fumes, Posing A Serious Toxic Hazard.
2. Combustible Gas
The Restricted Space May Contain Flammable Gases That, When Exposed To An Ignition Source, Can Explode. These Gases Or Vapors Can Be Detected Using The LEL Monitor.
The Air Must Contain A Minimum Amount Of Flammable Gas Or Vapor For Combustion To Take Place. This Amount Is Called The Lower Explosive Limit LEL . At Concentrations Equal To Or Greater Than This, Combustion Will Occur Only In The Presence Of A Suitable Ignition Source Such As A Spark Or Hot Surface. Therefore, It Is Important To Detect The Presence Of Combustible Gas Or Vapor, Which Can Be Detected By Checking The Percentage Of LEL With A Gas Monitor.
3. High Or Low Oxygen Levels
The Normal Concentration Of Oxygen In Fresh Air Is 20.9%. If It Goes Below 19.5% Or Above 23.5%, The Environment Is Considered Dangerous. If The Concentration Drops To 17%, A Person’s Mental And Physical Balance Deteriorates Significantly And May Even Lead To Death.
Additionally, Oxygen Levels Above 23.5 Percent Pose A Risk Of Explosion And Fire, Making Them Very Dangerous. From Clothes To Grease, Materials That Do Not Normally Burn Can Undergo Spontaneous Combustion Under Conditions Of High Oxygen Levels . Additionally, This May Cause An Explosion.
4. Physical Hazards
Apart From These Dangers, There Can Be Some Physical Dangers Inside The Confined Space Such As-
Improper Use Of Ladders And Scaffolding, Wet Surfaces, Uneven Surfaces, Narrow Areas Or Poor Lighting, Vibration, Loud Noise, Very Cold Or Hot Temperatures, Engulfment, Etc. Can Cause Physical Hazards To Workers Inside A Confined Space.
Also Read: What Is Scaffolding? Types of Scaffolding, Hazards And Precautions 2025
Safety Precautions For Confined Space
1. Avoid Entering Confined Space
After Reading About Confined Space And Its Hazards, You Will Definitely Want To Avoid Working In It. Consider Whether The Work Can Be Accomplished In A Different Manner First. So That It Is Possible To Avoid Entering The Confined Space. A Better Work Plan Or A Different Approach Can Reduce The Need To Work In The Confined Space.
Ask Yourself If The Desired Task Is Really Necessary, Or If You Can Do It Without Going In:
Work Outside Whenever Possible, For Instance:
Vibrators Or Air Washers That Can Be Operated Remotely Can Be Used To Clear Blocks In Silos;
Inspection, Sampling And Cleaning Can Be Done Externally Using Suitable Equipment.
2. Risk Assessment And Safe System Of Work
If Entry Into A Confined Space Is Necessary, A Safe System Of Work Must Be Developed After A Risk Assessment Has Been Carried Out By The Equipment Owner Before Working Within It.
Appoint A Team Of “Competent Persons” Who Can Conduct A Risk Assessment Of The Conditions And Tasks And Activities To Be Performed In The Confined Space, And Identify The Necessary Safety Precautions Based On The Findings To Avoid Posing A Hazard To Workers.
3. Select Trained & Experienced Workers
It Is Important To Select The Right Workers To Work Inside Confined Space-
Workers Should Be Given Proper Training In CSE Confined Space Entry .
Make Sure Workers Have Sufficient Experience In The Type Of Work Being Performed;
If The Job Requires The Use Of Breathing Apparatus, It Must Be Safe To Wear. And To Work In A Confined Space, The Worker Should Be Completely Medically Fit And Should Not Have Any Kind Of Phobia.
4. Isolation Of The Equipment
Ensure That All Inlet And Outlet Connections Of The Equipment Within Which Confined Space Work Is To Be Carried Out Are Completely Isolated By Blinding; Disconnect And Properly Shut Off Electrical Connections Of All Machinery And Equipment That Could Cause A Hazard In A Confined Space; Clear Pipelines And Service Pipes That Could Cause A Hazard; Take Effective Steps To Prevent The Entry Of Dangerous Gases, Vapors, Dust, Fumes, Or Flowing Solids And Liquids Into The Confined Space.
5. Cooling And Cleaning
The Confined Space Must Be Adequately Cleaned And Purged To Ensure That Any Sludge Or Other Deposits Will Not Emit Hazardous Gases, Vapors, Dust Or Fumes During The Work. If Steam Cleaning Is Used, Adequate Cooling Time Must Be Allowed To Ensure That It Is Safe To Work In The Confined Space.
6. What Is The Entry’s Size
Is The Entrance Large Enough To Allow Workers Wearing All Necessary Equipment To Move Easily In And Out, And To Provide Safe Access And Exit In An Emergency For Example, If The Entrance Is Narrow, An Airline Breathing System Should Be Used Rather Than A Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus That Is More Bulky And Therefore Restricts Passage.
7. Providing Ventilation
You Can Increase The Number Of Openings In The Confined Space And Therefore Improve Ventilation. Mechanical Ventilation May Be Necessary To Ensure An Adequate Supply Of Fresh Air.
In The Small Space, Clean Air Circulation Is Essential. To Ensure A Sufficient Supply Of Clean Air, Mechanical Ventilation Is Required. Avoid Using Oxygen To Freshen The Air Inside The Small Space Because Doing So Will Significantly Increase The Likelihood Of An Explosion Or Fire. An Adequate Supply Of Fresh Air Is Of Particular Importance If Burning Equipment Is Used Inside A Confined Space Because Of The Hazards Caused By The Build-Up Of Engine Exhaust E.G. Welding , Cutting Etc. .
Note That The Exhaust From Fuel-Powered Engines Contains Carbon Monoxide CO , Which Is So Dangerous That It Should Never Be Used In Tight Spaces.
8. Testing Air
Before Every Entry Into A Confined Space It Is Necessary To Check That The Air Is Free From Both Toxic And Flammable Gases, And That There Is No Shortage Of Oxygen Inside And The Air Is Suitable For Breathing.
Continuous Gas Monitoring May Also Be Required, As Advised By The Competent Person, If Indicated In The Risk Assessment Or As A Further Precaution.
9. Special Tools & Lighting
Non Sparking Tools And Especially Flame Proof Lighting Are Required When There Is A Possibility Of A Flammable Or Potentially Explosive Atmosphere. In Some Confined Spaces Such As Inside Metal Tanks , Appropriate Precautions To Prevent Electric Shock Include The Use Of Extra Low Voltage Equipment. Equipment Equipped With 12V DC And ELCB Should Be Used For Lighting.
10. Personal Protective Equipment
Before Entering A Confined Space, It Must Be Ensured That Workers Are Wearing The Mandatory PPE As Per The Work And Additional PPE As Mentioned In The Permit.
And If The Risk Assessment Indicates The Wearing Of Approved Breathing Apparatus Then It Should Be Worn That Provides Appropriate Protection Given The Atmosphere Of The Confined Space;
It Is Also Important To Ensure That Everyone Going Into A Confined Space Is Wearing A Suitable Safety Harness Connected To A Lifeline That Is Strong Enough To Enable Them To Be Pulled Out In An Emergency.
11. Issue Of The CSE And PTW Certificates
Before Starting Work Inside A Confined Space, A CSE Certificate Should Be Issued Which Is Proof That It Is Safe To Enter The Confined Space And It Has Been Completely Isolated, Cleaned And Purged. Additionally, The Current Circumstance Does Not Pose Any Threat. After Issuing The CSE Certificate, It Is Crucial To Also Issue A Permit To Work PTW Based On The Work That Will Be Performed. So That The Risks That Come Up While Working Can Be Controlled And The Right PPE Can Be Used.
12. Is There A Hole Watcher Present
Along With PTW, It Is Necessary To Have A CSE Attendant/Hole Watcher Outside The Entry Of The Confined Space. Who Can Record The Name And Time Of The Workers Going In And Coming Out With A Logsheet. And Can Also Communicate With The Workers Inside. In The Event Of Any Kind Of Emergency, It Is Also The Responsibility Of The CSE Attendant/Hole Watcher To Call The Emergency Services.
13. Emergency Planning
To Deal With Any Serious Hazard To Workers Inside A Confined Space, Appropriate Emergency Procedures Must Be Prepared And Implemented According To The Nature Of The Confined Space, The Risks Involved And The Nature Of The Emergency Rescue.
These Items Ought To Be Easily Accessible In Case Of An Emergency: Approved Breathing Apparatus;
Safety Harness And Ropes
An Audible And Visual Alarm To Alert Others Outside The Confined Space
Using A Tripod And Winches To Free People From Vertical Space Apart From This, You Should Also Consider The Following Things:-
Communications
In An Emergency, How Can People Inside The Confined Space Be Reached From Outside So That Rescue Procedures Can Begin Consider This. Don’t Forget That Emergencies Can Occur During Night Shifts, Weekends And When Premises Are Closed, Consider What Might Happen And How The Alarm Can Be Raised.
Contact And Rescue
When Work Is Being Carried Out In A Confined Space, Another Trained Individual Hole Watcher/CSE Attendant Should Be Stationed Outside The Space To Maintain Communication With The Workers Inside And To Keep A Record Of People Coming In And Going Out. An Adequate Number Of Rescuers Should Also Be Made Available Outside The Confined Space. These Individuals Must Be Physically Fit, Have Adequate Rescue Training, Be Readily Available To Carry Out Rescue Operations, And Be Able To Use Any Provided Rescue Equipment.
First-Aid Procedures
Any Provided First Aid Supplies Must Only Be Used By Qualified First Responders. This Includes A Trained First Aider And First Aid Kit.
Drills
Rescue Drills Should Be Conducted From Time To Time To Gain Practical Experience And To Ensure That Rescuers Understand And Are Familiar With The Necessary Rescue Procedures So That No Mistakes Are Made In Case Of An Emergency.
Emergency Services
Once You Know What A Confining Space Is, You Should Prepare In Advance How To Notify Emergency Service Providers Like Fire And Ambulance In Case Of An Emergency. Additionally, Preparations Should Be Made To Assist These Emergency Service Departments In Comprehending The Dangers Of Confined Space Upon Their Arrival By Providing Pertinent Information.
