Confined Space Entry
Confined space entry – stay safe with planning, monitoring and protection
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Dräger offers solutions and support for working in confined spaces. Guidance for confined space entry risk assessments helps prepare you with the procedures, permits to work and equipment necessary for confined space safety. Our experts offer professional tips and practical confined space training to help you follow correct procedures for working in confined spaces – or calmly deal with confined space rescue scenarios. Products, such as confined space monitoring equipment – including reliable confined space gas detectors and confined space entry equipment for personal protection – help provide confidence and security for site managers and plant workers alike.
Accidents in confined spaces – why do they happen?
A confined space is among the potentially most dangerous workplaces and confined space entry presents many challenges. Despite high safety precautions, too many accidents still happen worldwide, such as predominantly asphyxiation, exposure to hazardous substances or traumatic injuries to name just a few. Thus, when working in confined spaces, safety always comes first. Regarding the questions as to what causes an accident, there is more than one answer to that.
Risk assessment – manage hazards, risks and potential dangers
Risk or hazard – what’s the difference? What does a confined space risk assessment involve? A risk evaluation matrix helps you assess the challenges of confined space entry. Determine what confined space equipment is needed for the detection of any hazardous substances present and how to implement a safe system of work when working in confined spaces.
Danger or risk: what is the difference?
When addressing workplace safety hazards it seems necessary to draw a distinction between “danger” and “risk”.
“Dangers” are all aspects and framework conditions that could have a threatening influence on people, the environment, and plant safety with regard to a specific work situation. Such as entering a confined space.
“Risks” are understood by workplace safety experts as the evaluation of the probability that this danger will occur in this exact situation and describes the specific potential of a hazard.
Hazardous substances may cause damages
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Explosions: triggered by sparks, high temperatures or instable behaviour of substances
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Bodily damage: contact with toxic gases, vapours, fluids or caustic substances
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Long-term bodily damage: carcinogens or gamete-damaging effects of toxic substances
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Uncontrolled reactions of chemical substances: contact with certain catalysts
Typical risks for workplace health and safety
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Combustible gases and vapours
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Toxic fluids and gases: like chlorine (Cl2), ammonia (NH3), hydrochloric acid (HCl)
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Toxic organic substances: in particular benzene, methane, ethylene, butadiene
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Particles: especially breathable ones
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Additional dangers and risks: presented by specific work processes
PPE – select and use protective equipment
Personal protective equipment is necessary for the safety of all personnel working in confined spaces. What PPE is mandatory for different confined space hazards? What gear or confined space entry equipment comfortably guards you from exposure to hazmats during maintenance work? How to choose the right PPE?
