Spot the OSHA Violation: Is This the Kind of Confined Space Entry You
Want for Your Workplace?
What’s wrong with this operation?
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Sadly, it seems the worker didn’t survive the explosion inside this confined space. It’s not clear
exactly what the worker was doing or how the explosion happened. Theories:
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While welding the worker cut through his line causing the flame to travel up his tubing
and ignite his pressurized oxygen tank;
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The worker was welding when a spark from his oxygen torch set off a pocket of gas that
had somehow formed inside the confined space;
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His oxygen tank exploded while he was welding either because it was faulty or because
the temperature or pressure inside the space was too high; and
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The worker was using a process called “lancing” to free up a jammed tooth, i.e., chunk
of metal, that instead of just “popping” away shot off with great force and went through
his chest.
The Moral: What is clear is that working inside a confined space is extremely dangerous
especially when performing hot work.
CONFINED SPACES: 3 Reasons to Pay Attention
1. Jobs are 150 times more dangerous when they’re done inside a confined space
2. 63 U.S. workers were killed inside a confined space in 2010 alone
3. 1 in 5 confined space fatal incidents result in deaths to more than 1 worker
WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?
To avoid confined space disasters you need to know what a confined space is. According to OSHA
rules, confined spaces are spaces that have 3 characteristics:
1. They’re big enough and configured such that a worker can enter them to perform
assigned work;
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2. They have limited means for entry and exit. Examples: tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins,
hoppers, vaults and pits;
3. They’re not designed for continuous human occupancy.
6 WAYS YOU CAN GET KILLED IN A CONFINED SPACE
1. You can suffocate because there’s not enough oxygen inside the space
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2. You can get poisoned as a result of breathing toxic or contaminated air inside the space
3. You can get killed by an explosion caused by detonation of flammable or combustible
substances as a result of high temperatures or pressure inside the space—like the
welder in the video
4. You can get trapped inside the space and be unable to evacuate from a fire or other
emergency that arises once you enter
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5. You can get killed while entering or exiting the space, for example, as a result of getting
hit by a vehicle after exiting a manhole on a public street
6. You can drown or suffocate if the space is engulfed with water, soil or other materials
8 CONFINED SPACE ENTRY DO’s & DON’Ts
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DO make sure you know the entry procedure before entering a confined space
DON’T enter a confined space unless you’ve received the necessary training and
instruction
DO make sure there’s an attendant outside the space that you can communicate with at
all times during the entry
DON’T enter a confined space without an entry permit
DO make sure you have the proper respiratory protective equipment and other PPE
before entering a confined space
DON’T enter a confined space unless and until you know all the hazards involved
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
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DO make sure your communication and emergency rescue equipment are on hand and
working properly before entering a confined space
DON’T rush into a confined space to rescue a co-worker unless you’re trained and
authorized to carry out rescue operations—remember that many confined space
fatalities are suffered by rescue workers
Use SafetySmart Compliance Insider’s 14-Step Confined Spaces Compliance Program
to Prevent Confined Space Tragedies & OSHA Violations
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Step 1: Identify the permit confined spaces in your workplace
Step 2: Bar unauthorized entry of permit spaces
Step 3: Define acceptable atmospheric conditions for entering permit spaces
Step 4: Perform atmospheric testing of permit spaces
Step 5: Use engineering controls like ventilation to manage atmospheric hazards
Step 6: Furnish a safe means of entry & exit
Step 7: Designate an entry supervisor for each entry
Step 8: Post attendant(s) during each entry
Step 9: Create a safe entry procedure
Step 10: Create an entry permit system
Step 11: Provide the right PPE & safety equipment
Step 12: Provide for emergency response & rescue
Step 13: Coordinate entry procedures with contractors
Step 14: Provide the right confined spaces safety training
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