Working in Confined Spaces: 5 Construction Safety Tips From OSHA to Avoid Hazards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for establishing guidelines for safety protocols within the construction industry. Thus, this organization has provided further information regarding these construction safety tips to avoid potential dangers while working in restricted areas.

(Photo : Pixabay/Faruk Malek )

1. Monitor the confined space before and during entry

Knowing the atmospheric conditions in a restricted place can be the deciding factor in whether or not one lives or dies. Employees should only enter the building if they have been made aware of the dangers on the premises.

Exposure to a poisonous, oxygen-deficient, or oxygen-enriched environment or a combustible atmosphere is a potential danger. After entering the area, it is essential to immediately continue monitoring the space because the atmosphere conditions might change quickly. Accordingly, the ideal solution is a monitor equipped with an alarm that can alert employees who are about to enter the confined space.

2. Remove hazards from the confined space

Before granting permission to enter a permit-required space, the entry permit that verifies compliance with this section and allows entrance must specify the actions that were taken to isolate the permitted area and remove or regulate any dangers that may be present in the premises.

Among these precautions are the methods for purging, ventilating, and flushing permit spaces, as well as the lockout or labeling of particular pieces of equipment.

3. Ventilate Properly

When working in a confined environment, having adequate ventilation is necessary. Through the constant introduction of fresh air, it ensures that the environment remains at a level that is both safe and acceptable.

Additionally, it can reduce the temperature and eliminate impurities, which are beneficial in safeguarding workers from health concerns in confined areas. Mechanical ventilation methods like fans and blowers are recommended. Workers should be notified via a warning system if the ventilation system malfunctions.

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4. Rescue Plan

Before entering the area, rescue procedures must be created, and these procedures ought to be tailored to the particular kind of place being accessed. Moreover, a written plan ought to be in place, and all personnel ought to be taught emergency protocols. Every worker ought to be informed of the potential dangers, and those without proper training should never attempt to rescue someone.

On the other hand, the personal protective equipment (PPE) and equipment necessary to do confined space rescues safely must be made available for workers assigned to complete these rescues, and they must also get training on how to use the equipment effectively.

Employers are obligated to examine the rescuers' capacity to respond in a timely way, considering the dangers present in the site's limited quarters. Rescue teams on standby must be close to one another so that they can respond rapidly, often within five minutes.

5. Communication

Despite being an often-overlooked aspect of confined space work safety plans, communication is vital. Communication between individuals within the space, between individuals inside the area and those outside it, and with rescue workers must be considered. A trained attendant should be present at the entrance of every confined space entry procedure.

This attendant should remain outside of the area but present at the entrance throughout the whole period of the entry. Throughout the entire process, the attendant and the individuals who are entering must maintain communication with one another.

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