Working in confined conditions - Revision history

Editor at 18:53, 27 September 2021

2021-09-27T18:53:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:53, 27 September 2021
Line 54:		Line 54:
	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

−	* ~~CDM.~~	+	* Arbour.
−	* Health and safety file.	+
−	* Safety.	+
	* Asbestos.		* Asbestos.
		+	* CDM.
	* CDM Regulations.		* CDM Regulations.
	* COSHH.		* COSHH.
Line 64:		Line 63:
	* Gas Safe.		* Gas Safe.
	* Health and safety.		* Health and safety.
		+	* Health and safety file.
	* Health and safety inspector.		* Health and safety inspector.
	* Notify HSE.		* Notify HSE.
Line 69:		Line 69:
	* Reporting accidents and injuries on construction sites.		* Reporting accidents and injuries on construction sites.
	* Risk assessment under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.		* Risk assessment under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
		+	* Safety.

	= External resources =		= External resources =

86.168.67.250 at 10:53, 7 October 2020

2020-10-07T10:53:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:53, 7 October 2020
Line 76:		Line 76:
	* [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/contents/made The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999]		* [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/contents/made The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999]

−	[[Category:~~Definitions~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Definition~~]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Public_procedures]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Public_procedures]]

Designing Buildings at 15:31, 17 December 2019

2019-12-17T15:31:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:31, 17 December 2019
Line 46:		Line 46:

	* The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 which apply where the assessment identifies risks of serious injury from work in confined spaces. Critically, it mandates that entry to confined spaces should be avoided if the work can be undertaken another way, e.g by doing the work from the outside. But if unavoidable, a safe system of working should be chosen and adequate emergency measures should be in place before the work begins.		* The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 which apply where the assessment identifies risks of serious injury from work in confined spaces. Critically, it mandates that entry to confined spaces should be avoided if the work can be undertaken another way, e.g by doing the work from the outside. But if unavoidable, a safe system of working should be chosen and adequate emergency measures should be in place before the work begins.
−	* The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Under the MHSW Regulations, employers and self-employed people should carry out suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks for all work activities for the purpose of deciding what measures are necessary for safety. For confined spaces, this means identifying the hazards present, assessing the risks and determining what precautions to take~~. For more information see: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations~~.	+	* The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Under the MHSW Regulations, employers and self-employed people should carry out suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks for all work activities for the purpose of deciding what measures are necessary for safety. For confined spaces, this means identifying the hazards present, assessing the risks and determining what precautions to take.

	= Training =		= Training =
Line 65:		Line 65:
	* Health and safety.		* Health and safety.
	* Health and safety inspector.		* Health and safety inspector.
−	* Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.
	* Notify HSE.		* Notify HSE.
	* Occupational health.		* Occupational health.
Line 77:		Line 76:
	* [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/contents/made The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999]		* [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/contents/made The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999]

−	[[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Public_procedures]]	+	[[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Public_procedures]]

Designing Buildings at 15:30, 17 December 2019

2019-12-17T15:30:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:30, 17 December 2019
Line 1:		Line 1:
	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	A confined space is substantially enclosed, may have limited or restricted means ~~for~~ entry or exit, and poses a health hazard both from its spatially restricted nature and the access to and from it, or from the materials and objects that may be encountered ~~therein~~. ~~Its essence will be that it~~ hinders and potentially makes unsafe the activities of ~~workers who may venture~~ inside. Confined spaces are not usually ~~designed or configured~~ for continuous occupation ~~by employees~~.	+	A confined space is a space that is substantially enclosed, may have limited or restricted means of entry or exit, and poses a health hazard both from its spatially restricted nature and the access to and from it, or from the materials and objects that may be encountered. It hinders and potentially makes unsafe the activities of those inside. Confined spaces are not usually intended for continuous occupation.

−	~~The docks~~, ~~sewage sector~~ and mining ~~are typical~~ industries ~~where confined space working~~ may ~~be necessary~~.	+	Ship building, water, construction and mining industries may required work in confined spaces.

	= Types of confined space =		= Types of confined space =

−	~~The following can be deemed to~~ be confined spaces:	+	Spaces that may be considered confined spaces include:

	* Low headroom basements.		* Low headroom basements.
−	* Crawl spaces ~~in buildings e.g beneath raised floors~~.	+	* Crawl spaces.
−	* ~~Theatre catwalks~~, gantries and arbour pits.	+	* Catwalks, gantries and arbour pits.
	* Lift and escalator pits.		* Lift and escalator pits.
−	* Attics.	+	* Attics and lofts.
	* Tanks.		* Tanks.
	* Manholes.		* Manholes.
Line 21:		Line 21:
	* Open ditches.		* Open ditches.

−	~~The following hazards~~ may be encountered in a confined ~~space~~:	+	Hazards that may be encountered in confined spaces can include:

−	* Poor air quality or insufficient oxygen for an entrant to breathe, or inhalation of ~~bad~~ air.	+	* Poor air quality or insufficient oxygen for an entrant to breathe, or inhalation of stale or polluted air.
	* Materials that could engulf a worker e.g a liquid or flowable solid substance.		* Materials that could engulf a worker e.g a liquid or flowable solid substance.
	* Total darkness.		* Total darkness.
	* Atmospheric hazards, e.g flammable gas, airborne combustible/non-combustible gas.		* Atmospheric hazards, e.g flammable gas, airborne combustible/non-combustible gas.
	* Entrapment hazards.		* Entrapment hazards.
−	* Low bulkheads or very low ceiling heights that could cause ~~serious~~ head injuries.	+	* Low bulkheads or very low ceiling heights that could cause head injuries.
	* Sloping floors that could cause a slip.		* Sloping floors that could cause a slip.
	* Walls that converge inward to a smaller cross-section.		* Walls that converge inward to a smaller cross-section.
Line 34:		Line 34:
	* Exposed live wires.		* Exposed live wires.
	* Unguarded machinery.		* Unguarded machinery.
−	* ~~Toxic chemical~~ exposure ~~from skin contact~~.	+	* Chemical exposure.
	* Rodents.		* Rodents.

	= Confinement =		= Confinement =

−	If a confined space is so configured that it presents an entrapment hazard to entrants, they should be made aware of the fact prior to entering and be required to have a permit to enter ~~to prevent the unwary from straying in~~. They should also ~~have received~~ training to ensure they are aware and can deal with the potential dangers. ~~Some pre~~-existing health problems should be identified or disclosed beforehand e.g workers who suffer from claustrophobia should not be allowed access to crawl spaces.	+	If a confined space is so configured that it presents an entrapment hazard to entrants, they should be made aware of the fact prior to entering and should be required to have a permit to enter. They should also receive training to ensure they are aware of, and can deal with, the potential dangers. Pre-existing health problems should be identified or disclosed beforehand e.g workers who suffer from claustrophobia should not be allowed access to crawl spaces.

	= Legislation =		= Legislation =
Line 46:		Line 46:

	* The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 which apply where the assessment identifies risks of serious injury from work in confined spaces. Critically, it mandates that entry to confined spaces should be avoided if the work can be undertaken another way, e.g by doing the work from the outside. But if unavoidable, a safe system of working should be chosen and adequate emergency measures should be in place before the work begins.		* The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 which apply where the assessment identifies risks of serious injury from work in confined spaces. Critically, it mandates that entry to confined spaces should be avoided if the work can be undertaken another way, e.g by doing the work from the outside. But if unavoidable, a safe system of working should be chosen and adequate emergency measures should be in place before the work begins.
−	* The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Under the MHSW Regulations, employers and self-employed people should carry out suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks for all work activities for the purpose of deciding what measures are necessary for safety. For confined spaces, this means identifying the hazards present, assessing the risks and determining what precautions to take.	+	* The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Under the MHSW Regulations, employers and self-employed people should carry out suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks for all work activities for the purpose of deciding what measures are necessary for safety. For confined spaces, this means identifying the hazards present, assessing the risks and determining what precautions to take. For more information see: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

	= Training =		= Training =
Line 65:		Line 65:
	* Health and safety.		* Health and safety.
	* Health and safety inspector.		* Health and safety inspector.
		+	* Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.
	* Notify HSE.		* Notify HSE.
	* Occupational health.		* Occupational health.

Editor: Created page with "= Introduction = A confined space is substantially enclosed, may have limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and poses a health hazard both from its spatially restricted..."

2019-12-13T17:20:55Z

Created page with "= Introduction = A confined space is substantially enclosed, may have limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and poses a health hazard both from its spatially restricted..."

New page

= Introduction =

A confined space is substantially enclosed, may have limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and poses a health hazard both from its spatially restricted nature and the access to and from it, or from the materials and objects that may be encountered therein. Its essence will be that it hinders and potentially makes unsafe the activities of workers who may venture inside. Confined spaces are not usually designed or configured for continuous occupation by employees.

The docks, sewage sector and mining are typical industries where confined space working may be necessary.

= Types of confined space =

The following can be deemed to be confined spaces:

* Low headroom basements.
* Crawl spaces in buildings e.g beneath raised floors.
* Theatre catwalks, gantries and arbour pits.
* Lift and escalator pits.
* Attics.
* Tanks.
* Manholes.
* Storage bins.
* Pipelines.
* Vaults.
* Open ditches.

The following hazards may be encountered in a confined space:

* Poor air quality or insufficient oxygen for an entrant to breathe, or inhalation of bad air.
* Materials that could engulf a worker e.g a liquid or flowable solid substance.
* Total darkness.
* Atmospheric hazards, e.g flammable gas, airborne combustible/non-combustible gas.
* Entrapment hazards.
* Low bulkheads or very low ceiling heights that could cause serious head injuries.
* Sloping floors that could cause a slip.
* Walls that converge inward to a smaller cross-section.
* Very hot, unguarded heating or water pipes.
* Exposed live wires.
* Unguarded machinery.
* Toxic chemical exposure from skin contact.
* Rodents.

= Confinement =

If a confined space is so configured that it presents an entrapment hazard to entrants, they should be made aware of the fact prior to entering and be required to have a permit to enter to prevent the unwary from straying in. They should also have received training to ensure they are aware and can deal with the potential dangers. Some pre-existing health problems should be identified or disclosed beforehand e.g workers who suffer from claustrophobia should not be allowed access to crawl spaces.

= Legislation =

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 renders employers responsible for ensuring the safety of their employees and others. This is reinforced by:

* The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 which apply where the assessment identifies risks of serious injury from work in confined spaces. Critically, it mandates that entry to confined spaces should be avoided if the work can be undertaken another way, e.g by doing the work from the outside. But if unavoidable, a safe system of working should be chosen and adequate emergency measures should be in place before the work begins.
* The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Under the MHSW Regulations, employers and self-employed people should carry out suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks for all work activities for the purpose of deciding what measures are necessary for safety. For confined spaces, this means identifying the hazards present, assessing the risks and determining what precautions to take.

= Training =

Training will be required if workers are likely to have to work in confined spaces. The overall training objective is to protect those entering or working in or around a confined space. Such courses should teach the physical, chemical, and biological principles related to safe working within confined spaces. Potential entrants should be taught exactly what constitutes a confined space and the potential hazards they may encounter.

= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

* CDM.
* Health and safety file.
* Safety.
* Asbestos.
* CDM Regulations.
* COSHH.
* Deleterious materials.
* Fire and rescue service.
* Gas Safe.
* Health and safety.
* Health and safety inspector.
* Notify HSE.
* Occupational health.
* Reporting accidents and injuries on construction sites.
* Risk assessment under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

= External resources =

* [https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l101.htm Safe work in confined spaces, Approved Code of Practice, HSE]
* [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/1713/contents/made The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997]
* [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/contents/made The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999]

[[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Public_procedures]]