Rothoblaas Catalogue 2019

WORK IN CONFINED SPACES AND/OR POSSIBLY CONTAMINATED SPACES

Confined spaces and/or possibly contaminated spaces refer to any environment where the risk of death or serious injury is very high, due to the presence of dangerous substances or conditions (e.g. lack of space or oxygen) and the difficulty of completing rescue operations in the case of an emergency. Examples of possible confined spaces and/or possibly contaminated spaces: • TANKS • SILOS • CONTAINERS USED AS REACTORS • CLOSED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS • SEWAGE SYSTEMS • CISTERNS • POOLS • COMBUSTION CHAMBERS INSIDE OVENS • PIPELINES • ENVIRONMENTS WITH INADEQUATE OR ABSENT VENTILATION WORK IN CONFINED SPACES AND/OR POSSIBLY CONTAMINATED SPACES

HAZARDS LINKED TO CONFINED SPACES

Several critical situations may occur in confined spaces. The cause is often due to:

LACK OF OXYGEN

RESIDUES INSIDE CISTERNS AND TANKS

Before starting to work, it is necessary to:

1. Perform specific analysis to identify dangers, with adequate risk evaluation, taking into account possible changes in initial environmental and working conditions over time (e.g. infiltration of methane gas in a sewer line/excavation due to the presence of a gas pipeline, etc.).

GASES, FUMES OR TOXIC VAPOURS

2. Define specific operating procedures.

3. Establish adequate methods to manage an emergency, based on the risk present, the access method (horizontal or vertical, at ground level or at height) and the size and structural characteristics of the confined space. 4. Train, educate and instruct workers involved in the activity, particularly with reference to the application of procedures and use of PPE, as well as the working tools and equipment on the basis of the activities to be performed and the risks present.

LIQUID OR SOLID SUBSTANCES

HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF DUST

FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS

HIGH TEMPERATURES

REMEMBER Before entering to provide assistance, rescuers must put on appropriate PPE after risk analysis or contact personnel suitable for the task.

238 | WORK IN CONFINED SPACES AND/OR POSSIBLY CONTAMINATED SPACES | PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT