The obvious examples include:<\/strong><\/p>\n The less obvious examples include: There will be numerous others no doubt; it\u2019s difficult to compile a comprehensive list. The dangers that make an environment become classed as confined \u2013 e.g. a lack of oxygen or poisonous gases \u2013 can affect even those environments not normally classified as such when typical conditions change.<\/p>\n The sad truth is that over 60% of confined space fatalities are those attempting to rescue others<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Of the three working in confined spaces case studies we will look at, two of them involved the fatalities of rescuers. This just goes to show that an awareness of the risks posed by confined spaces and the importance of safety and rescue procedures need more attention from not just those working in confined spaces, but from everyone<\/em>.<\/p>\n In 2011, two brothers, aged 16 and 22, died due to the hazardous environment in an organic waste recycling facility. While they were flushing out the drainage system with a high-pressure hose, the younger brother was asphyxiated by hydrogen sulphide<\/strong>, which caused him to fall to the bottom of a 10-foot shaft. His older brother attempted to rescue his brother but sadly met the same fate and died 2 days later in hospital.<\/p>\n During the investigation, high levels of hydrogen sulphide were confirmed to be present. The organic waste in the facility no doubt caused the build-up of this extremely hazardous gas; the bacterial breakdown of organic materials and human\/animal waste emits hydrogen sulphide.<\/p>\n In 1999, an electrician was knocked unconscious from the fumes within a waste gas tower. Dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide, dihydrogen sulphide, hydrogen cyanide, and other toxic gases were present<\/strong> \u2013 you don\u2019t need to be an expert in chemistry to know that this could have very easily killed him. Luckily, a student was accompanying him that day.<\/p>\n They were both inside the skirt underneath the gas tower, on their hands and knees working on a motor. The electrician suddenly became motionless and unresponsive \u2013 knocked unconscious by the gases. Although the student felt ill himself due to the fumes, he managed to pull the electrician to safety. Both were very fortunate to survive this extremely hazardous atmosphere.<\/p>\n Four men were involved in this incident. A fault was identified in a crane\u2019s hydraulics, so two men entered the confined chamber to inspect the pipework, but they were unaware that the rusting of the boat\u2019s metal hull had consumed most of the oxygen<\/strong> in the chamber.<\/p>\n Within a minute, the first man had passed out. The second was disoriented but managed to escape and raise the alarm. In an attempt to rescue the man knocked unconscious, two other workers then entered the area but were both overcome and asphyxiated due to the lack of oxygen<\/strong>. The rescuers died while the first two men survived.<\/p>\n In the first case study, the employer did not identify that the shaft and drainage system were permit-required confined spaces, and therefore had insufficient procedures in place<\/strong>. There were no preventative measures – such as breathing apparatus to shield them from the dangerous gases, or rescue procedures – in place to ensure the safe rescue of those in danger. Had legitimate rescue procedures been in place, the 22 year old who sadly died attempting to rescue his brother, could have survived.<\/p>\n In the second case study, it was discovered that no risk assessment had been carried out prior to the job, there was no rescue plan in place, and the isolation procedure failed because a vent was closed<\/strong> \u2013 which if open would have prevented gas from entering the tower. Failure to assess the dangers and ensure that there was a contingency plan led to the lives of the electrician and the student being put in danger.<\/p>\n In the third case study, the companies that employed the victims confessed that they had not:<\/strong><\/p>\n If an awareness of the risks posed by working in a confined space on a boat – which was prone to oxygen being consumed by rust \u2013 had been provided by the responsible employers, the employees would have been able to avoid the area or follow safety procedures, and may not have lost their lives.<\/p>\n In confined spaces such as described, employers should be sure to carry out the following safety procedures:<\/p>\n These are just some examples of the safety procedures and control measures you should implement.<\/p>\n The dangers posed by confined spaces are not confined to the examples listed here, or those seen in the case studies. But as is apparent, they pose a very real threat, and every precautionary measure must be taken<\/strong>. It is literally the difference between life and death, and in many cases, as above, it is fortune that ensures the survivors walked away from the confined spaces mostly harm-free.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t leave it to fortune<\/strong>; educate yourself on the risks of confined spaces and the safe systems of work to protect yourself, your team and your workforce from harm in hazardous confined spaces environments.<\/p>\n Our Working in Confined Spaces Training<\/a> has been designed as an introduction to the topic so learners can understand more about safe work practices, suitable control measures and what the law says in regards to staying safe at work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Working in confined spaces is a dangerous occupation, and yet it’s rarely covered in the media. These 3 stories of incidents illustrate how hazardous it is.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":5578,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[13533,85],"class_list":["post-4046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-safety","tag-case-studies","tag-site-safety"],"acf":{"schema_disabled":false,"schema_properties_FAQPage_question_answer":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_tools":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_supplies":null,"schema_properties_HowTo_howto_steps":null,"schema_properties_WebPage_cssSelector":null,"schema_sameAs_repeater":null,"schema_custom_json_repeater":null,"schema_custom_json_override":false},"yoast_head":"\n\n
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![\"example](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/confined-space.jpg\")
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\nCase study 1: Asphyxiation in underground drainage system<\/h4>\n
![\"confined](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/undeground-tunnel.jpg\")
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\nCase study 2: Electrician rendered unconscious in a waste gas tower<\/h4>\n
![\"confined](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/gas-tower.jpg\")
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\nCase study 3: Oxygen depletion in a barge\u2019s chamber<\/h4>\n
![\"barge](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/barge.jpg\")
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\nHow could these incidents have been prevented?<\/h4>\n
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\nWhat should be done?<\/h3>\n
![\"confined](\"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/safety-working-in-confined-space.jpg\")
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<\/div>\nNeed a Course?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nFurther Resources:<\/h3>\n
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