Thesis: Confined Space
Abstract
In the contemporary society, confined spaces have posed various risks that are deemed quite detrimental to the persons working in such places. It is important to note that there is a way in which these risks could be evaded and controlled for the betterment of the whole production systems. Most companies have sought for various measures which would help them get the best risk management techniques to cater for the confined spaces. The need mobilizes efforts to get the best practices on board to cater for the solutions at hand is very critical at this moment. This paper is a masterpiece of analysis of the risks involved in working in confined spaces and the various precautionary measures that needs to be taken to ensure that the risks have a minimal occurrence.
Chapter I: Introduction
Introduction
Working in confined spaces presents a significant issue of concern because it involves the possibility of both projected and unforeseen hazards that could lead to injury or fatalities for engineers. Every year, many workers are exposed to such risks during their work and researchers have established that around 60% of the deaths have occurred among the rescuers, which complicates the problem further. Confined spaces are more perilous than regular workspaces for a variety of reasons. To control the risks linked to working in confined spaces, it is critical that organizations implement a confined hazard review and oversight programs, which would encompass all regulations required while working in such contexts. Whereas the laws vary from a jurisdiction or organization to another in multiple countries, what is common is that confined workspaces pose a significant danger that ought to be mitigated. This paper analyzes confined spaces from a safety and risk control perspective, detailing the potential hazards, safety, matters, fatality and injury statistics, and suggestions for improvement.
Statement of Problem
In the current context of working in various offices, there has been a depiction of a high level of risks that is very critical to the health and safety of different employees in many organizations. The risks involved needs to be evaluated with keen concern on the real advents of causes and adverse effects of these hazards. Whereas the regulations vary from a jurisdiction or organization to another in multiple countries, what is common is that confined workspaces pose a significant danger that ought to be mitigated.
Statement of Thesis:
Confined spaces are more perilous than regular workspaces for several reasons. To control the risks linked to working in confined spaces, it is critical that organizations implement a confined hazard review and monitoring programs, which would encompass all regulations required while working in such contexts. Whereas the laws vary from a jurisdiction or organization to another in multiple countries, what is common is that confined workspaces pose a significant danger that ought to be mitigated.
Purpose of the study
The purpose of this study is to come up with a risk management structure that is deemed to help in the mitigation and proper handling of the risks that comes with working in a confined space of a company. This notion is vital in bring on board that various areas faced by such risk and the best ways in which we can handle them to ensure a perfect cost reduction strategy in the long end.
- How are the current rules and regulations health and safety for those working in a confined space?
- What the relationship between the risks factors in confined spaces and the productivity of various employees
- What risk factors do those who work in confined places work and how does this notion affect their social interactions
- What are the possible changes that need to be inculcated to come up with high-level regulations on health and safety as far as confined spaces is concern?
Definition of Terms
To make the issue more understandable, it is critical to offer some definitions of the significant terms to be used throughout the paper. These definitions will help us get the real context for every sentence brought in this study.
- Authorized managers, on their part, refer to people appointed under stipulated regulations of the Confined Spaces Regulations to perform supervisory duties in such circumstances.
- Chemical and electrical. Toxicity and electrocution.
- Confined space safety hazards. Include but not limited to (chemical, structural, & electrical)
- Enclosed space. Confined space describes any chamber, manhole, tank, pipe, vault, vat, flue, pit, or any other enclosed space. In the confined space, hazardous vapors, fumes, or gasses are prone to be present to such a degree as to include the risk of persons being overcome, or explosions. And fires occurring; risk of engulfment by the materials; and, air supply is inadequate or is likely to diminish to levels necessary for sustaining life (Workplace Safety and Health Council, 2010)
- Responsible persons, about individuals contracted to work in confined spaces, describe those individuals who are their employers or principals under whose authority and directions they access or work in the confined spaces.
- Structural Buried (ladders tied off, walls stepped/trench boxes or cages)
Valve room: Room of boiler safety devices.
Assumptions and Limitations:
As we carried out, there are various challenges that we encountered that could negatively impact on the research findings to a slight stance.
Limitations
One of the limitations was that the wholesome collection of data was quite tedious, and this led to time-consuming positions, and it also needed a lot of resources to bring this advent to a reasonable stance. Additionally, it is imperative to understand that some of the respondents were not that responsive since they were very busy carrying out their duties. Gaining entry to the various factories to do the questionnaires was also quite a daunting task since the management was very strict on us because they saw us as if we were disrupting their activities.
Assumptions
We gave an assumption on the target population of the people working in the engineering firms only and not any other offices for other industries such as banking among others. We restricted our method of data collection on the questionnaire and the stratified sampling techniques. We had an assumption that the information given by the respondents were indeed accurate and factual, and all were used for the study.
Chapter II: Literature Review
Introduction
Confined space describes any chamber, manhole, tank, pipe, vault, vat, flue, pit, or any other enclosed space. In the confined space hazardous vapors, fumes, or gasses are prone to be present to such a degree as to include the risk of persons being overcome, or explosions and fires occurring; risk of engulfment by the materials. And, the air supply is inadequate or is likely to diminish to levels necessary for sustaining life (Workplace Safety and Health Council, 2010). Responsible persons, about individuals contracted to work in confined spaces, describe those individuals who are their employers or principals under whose authority and directions they access or work in the confined spaces. Authorized managers, on their part, refer to people appointed under stipulated regulations of the Confined Spaces Regulations to perform supervisory duties in such circumstances. To further comprehend confined workplaces, it is critical to analyze their characteristics. First, enclosed space is that which is not fundamentally designed or meant for human habitation (McManus, 2008). Secondly, a confined space has a restricted access area or exit through size, means, and location. Third, enclosed space could possess a hazardous atmosphere regarding gasses, vapor, or fumes. Fourth, a confined space contains materials with a potential to harm, bury, or trap people (Workplace Safety and Health Council, 2010). Fifth, it possesses a shape that could contribute to workers being asphyxiated or trapped, and finally, it can present a significant risk to people’s health and safety as they access it. This is because of factors such as work activities being undertaken within space, electrical or mechanical process, safety, and hazards present, substances or materials in it, and the location, atmosphere, construction, or design of the space.
History of Confined Space Incidents
In 1983, a graduate student on a work experience internship went through inspection to test for seepage and unfortunately collapsed. Three other colleagues tried to help and rescue, but each entered the chamber and collapsed too. Each of those four men died. In 1984, 44 individuals including eight workers and 36 visiting dignitaries began an underground valve place of a water exchange station. As a feature of a presentation, water was to be pumped over a directing way into the waterway. Right after pumping initiated, there was an extraordinary flash, followed by an explosion. The explosion was brought about by an aggregation of methane and air, which was pushed into the valve room when pumping initiated. Sixteen individuals were executed and 28 others injured in this disaster. In 1985, a city specialist was attempting to remove an inspection plate from a sewer line in a profound pump station. When the plate brushed off, sewage went into the room. Two partners and a law-enforcement officer tried to protect him from the sludge filled room. Each of the four passed away. At another accident in 1986, an employee was cleaning the base of a septic tank that had fallen. Two partners who tried rescuing him also fell in. Each of the three died. In September 1990, a 17-year-old sewer worker collapsed at the bottom of the 10-foot manhole. “Two workers entered to rescue him and were themselves overcome. By the time they were extracted from the hole by rescue services, the young man was dead. His would-be rescuers died two days later. A fourth man at the entrance of the manhole suffered shock and fume inhalation” (Krageschmidt, 2016). Lastly, the numbers of fatalities and injuries reported annually by the (OSHA) standard when followed: 9 deaths, 890 lost workday cases and 1,043 non-lost workday cases. When the rules are not met: 63 fatalities, 5,931 lost workday cases and 6,951 non-lost workday cases.
Injury and Fatality Statistics Regarding Confined Spaces:
Injuries and fatalities experienced in confined spaces are categorized and tabulated by type of death or injury. As per the 2008 Workplace and Safety United States national statistics, around 10% of the fatalities in 2008 were linked to accidents within confined spaces (Occupational Safety & Health Administration, 2015). Perhaps more alarming is the percentage of deaths involving rescuers, as opposed to workers who initially entered the confined spaces. According to a study by Morrison (2014), approximately 61% of the total fatalities related to confined space in 2013 were those of rescuers. For instance, in 2006 in Delaware, there was a double-fatality case that involved more rescuers than the workers being killed. In the U.S., between 2005 and 2009, there were 481 fatalities related to confined space accidents. This is an average of 96.2 fatalities every year, or around 1.85 deaths every week (Rescue Talk, 2011).
Figure 1: National workplace fatalities by form of accident in 2007 and 2008
Source: Occupational Safety & Health Administration (2015, p. 6)
The types of injury about confined spaces include electrocution, falls from height, physical contact with rotating or moving components, heat-related disorders, drowning emanating from an increase in liquid levels, asphyxiation or loss of consciousness from toxic fumes, vapors, or gasses, lack of oxygen, or flowing solids, and injuries emanating from explosions or fires (Occupational Safety & Health Administration, 2015). According to Rescue Talk (2011), the average of 96.2 fatalities per year was established from only 28 states in the U.S., which means that the incidence could be much higher than portrayed. Over 61% (298), of the rates that occurred during repair, construction, or cleaning activities. Two hundred and three of the fatalities had worked in their respective industries regularly, though 83 (17 %) were in management positions. Among the most surprising statistics was concerned with the causes of the deaths and injuries. Overall, many would assume that the most probable cause of confined space accident would be hazards linked to the atmosphere (Rescue Talk, 2011). However, statistics collected between 2005 and 2009 demonstrate that this was not the issue. Instead, the biggest cause to a significant extent was physical hazards. Here, the term encompasses several other phrases, including ‘collapses,” falls,” caught in,” and struck by.” Physical hazards were responsible for 61% or 294 of the total fatalities. Atmospheric hazards accounted for 33% 0r 160 of the incidents. The numbers are critical because they serve as reminders or benchmarks for appropriate (or lack of) standard safety measures when working in confined spaces (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). Occupational confined spaces account for the biggest percentage of worker-related deaths or injuries, obviously because of the construction, repair, and inspection demands that are associated with them.
Safety Issues:
Safety issues in confined spaces relate to and vary in degree according to various matters, including atmospheric atmospheres, toxic atmospheres, explosive atmospheres, or gasses that may exist in the workplace. On their part, physical hazards encompass aspects such as loose or unstable materials, electrical shock, falling objects, moving components of machinery and equipment, poor visibility, substances penetrating the space through flooding, noise, temperature extremes, and risk of drowning (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2015). Each of these aspects presents a particular safety issue for entrants in confined spaces, which could lead to death through poisoning, suffocation, or infliction of heavy blows from objects. Given the diversity of the types, designs, functionality, and activities carried out in every confined space; it’s hard to generalize the safety issues that affect every one of them. However, it is a well-established fact that the lack of adherence to stipulated regulations by both the responsible personnel and the workers could risk their health and safety adversely. For instance, when workers do not wear protective clothing, for example, gloves, thick-soled boots, and helmets, they typically expose themselves to health and safety risks. Agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer guidelines and regulations for such activities, which ought to be followed effectively. Confined spaces usually have limited spaces for movement, as mentioned in the previous section. This means that a human error would lead to systematic chaos, which could, in turn, contribute to injuries and fatalities. For example, when workers climb a vertical pipe (from inside), a slip by the upper-most person would lead to a resultant fall by those below him as he falls on them (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). Within confined spaces, there are different, often toxic, chemicals, biological agents, and electricity, as well as possible penetration by things such as water.
Additionally, it is well known that some small animals, for example, rodents, can inhabit confined spaces. Such animals can eat away electricity wires and leave them bare, thus exposing workers to electric shock. Health safety issues associated with confined spaces include toxic atmosphere (presence of ingress or hazardous substances) which emanates from the presence of flames or fire in previous storage or processing, disturbance of sludge. And other deposits, seepage from inappropriately isolated adjoining facilities, the formation of toxicity during prior processes within space, and releases from brickwork or under scale activities within space (Health & Safety Authority, 2016). Oxygen deficiency also poses a challenge. When there is displacement of oxygen by other gasses, workers’ breathing cannot be sustained, and they could suffocate or get poisoned. Rotting of organic matter, burning, or rusting of metals could also decrease oxygen quality. Also, the presence of explosive or flammable items risks fires or explosions. Such atmospheres could emanate from the presence of flammable liquids or gasses, or suspension of combustible particles within the air. Free flowing solids or liquids could also cause suffocation, drowning, and burns, among other injuries. Solids in powder form can be distributed in the confined spaces, leading to asphyxiating atmospheres. Finally, excessive heat is a safety issue because it increases the probability of collapse from heat stress or heart attack. In the event the conditions are extremely hot, the risk could be exacerbated by the failure of workers to don regulated and appropriate protective clothing.
Risks Involved in Confined Space
All employees in confined spaces know that what they undertake is more hazardous than working in other workplaces. This is because of various issues. First, the entrances or exits of confined spaces might not have been designed to permit entrants to evacuate as required in case of a collapse or flooding, as well as free-flowing material (WorkSafeBC, 2014). Secondly, confined spaces make a rescue by entrants more involved, in addition to complicating the duties of authorized managers in directing the workers. The relief efforts become intricate because the interior is usually characterized by a complex configuration, which restricts movements of first responders or other workers. In such cases, natural ventilation is not a sole way of maintaining breathing quality because the configuration of the space could restrict air from flowing and circulating as required. Containing more entrants simply compounds the problem, which makes it even more dangerous. Also, areas outside confined spaces have impacts on the conditions within the confined spaces (the reverse is also true). For instance, a deep vent that is located in the middle of a swamp could cave in because of the pressure from the marsh, thereby trapping those within it, and causing injuries and fatalities (Occupational Safety & Health Administration, 2015). The small, intricate configuration of the spaces makes self-rescue even more challenging. For example, when mineworkers get trapped while several hundred meters below the ground surface, they are unable to find exits or at times, even move.
Also, conditions in confined spaces are liable to change very quickly and devoid of notice. Whereas authorized managers could be monitoring the conditions of the space and the personnel from a technologically savvy control room, everything could change if aspects such as the weather or structural integrity of the confined space changed. In the illustration, when hazardous, inflammable gasses explode in confined spaces, authorized managers may not have had a premonition of the disaster, which means that they could not have had time to warn or evacuate the personnel working in the vents, pipes, or other confined spaces. This could prove disastrous. It is also possible that specific work activities could cause a potential hazard to individuals in confined spaces (WorkSafeBC, 2014). Such risks are usually not present initially but occur because of workmanship activities within the areas. For example, in pipes where work is typically specialized (welding, control checks, and assembly, among others), it is possible for a section of the workforce to fail in its performance, thereby leading to potential danger for the rest of the team.
In spite of all the hazards that confined spaces present, they have significance in strategic and ordinary structures. According to Veasey et al. (2005), confined spaces permit the transportation of critical materials and substances, for example, water, oil, air, and even personnel, depending on the circumstance. Entrants into confined spaces, under the guidance of authorized managers, usually intend to clean, inspect, maintain and repair, rescue, or construct the space by the required configurations. For this reason, there is usually a set guideline of requirements for workers to operate safely and more efficiently in confined spaces. When any employee accesses or undertakes work in confined spaces, the principal or authorized manager ought to comply with the regulations (Workplace Safety and Health Council, 2010).
The Current Legislation On Confined Space
Under the existing legislation, responsible personnel have to guarantee safe working conditions in the confined spaces. First, the regulation has to identify, record, offer warning signs, and relevant information in the workplace. Secondly, the responsible persons have to evaluate the need for access to the space. There also has to be a safe means of entry and exit, safe practices for opening entrances of confined spaces, adequate and appropriate lighting for entry, and working in the areas, and sufficient ventilation to sustain life before access and during the actual work in the spaces. Also, the responsible persons have to outline control and procedures for entry into confined spaces. These measures include gas testing, hiring of confined space attendants, determination of the fitness of workers for confined spaces, emergency rescue operations (rescue plans and availability of rescue equipment), and safety and health training for supervisors and employees.
Chapter III: Research Methodology
Introduction
This part of the chapter explains the procedures that were used in making sure that the data collection and analysis was indeed successful. In the study, various issues were tackled in the research that concerns this chapter. The method used for the research gives the research it authenticity and helps it provide an in-depth analysis of the whole context of the study. I believe that thus methodology is deemed to bringing on board the various advents of commutative advances on the real and genuine issues at hand concerning the subject matter discussed in literature review.
Methodology
The research design that has been used here is the descriptive study design. In this Advent, we used naturalistic observations on the various confined spaces and how the different models have been postulated in the recent past. The notion of the instructional survey has also been inculcated in this study with keen concern on the gathering of the information about the subject matter. Additionally, questionnaires have been used in making sure that the collection of information id indeed quite successful as well.
Selection of Sample
The population sample in this study is the employees who work in a different organization which has confined spaces. The directors of these companies have also been given much attention in this study to help us know the various techniques they use to ensure safety in these confined offices and spaces. The working class that has been employed in this study are the between the age of 18 years and 35years. This age bracket is seen to be quite volatile regarding job change. This gives an excellent opportunity to accentuate the invariable fact about nature and the correlation between them and the health and safety measures brought forward
Instrumentation
The sampling technique that has been used in this study is a stratified sampling method. In this method the population target has been put into groups and subgroups (strata) and then we pick from each group a person to represent these data to reduce the advents of biases. Additionally, the use of the questionnaires in the study makes the construction of the whole project quite authentic
Data Collection Procedures
In our data collection process, we carried out the fieldwork. The questionnaires were prepared in agreement with the specifications that were required. Two platforms were used in the compilation of these data. The online platform and physical paper collection of the various questionnaires was done keeping in mind the different research questions for which answers we needed to find. Multiple respondents from the companies were visited during the fieldwork and were asked to fill in the questionnaires with keen concern on the various facets that had been brought forward in the research questions outlined in chapter one.
Data Analysis Procedures
In the data analysis, we used various statistical techniques to analyze the data. One of the methods that have been employed in this study is the correlation analysis. This method was used in finding the relationship between the risk factors and the productivity of the employees. Additionally, regression analysis was employed in the comparison of various independent variables that were depicted in the study. ANOVA was also used in finding the variance and the authenticity of the data collected. Descriptive statistics was also very critical in discerning the measure of central tendency of the data with a keen concern of the various precepts of the statistical rules and regulations. I believe that this analysis is quite authentic since it gives both the qualitative and the quantitative aspect of the data analysis.
Limitations
One of the limitations was that the wholesome collection of data was quite tedious, and this led to time-consuming stances, and it also needed a lot of resources to bring this advent to a reasonable position. Additionally, it is imperative to understand that some of the respondents were not that responsive since they were very busy carrying out their duties. Gaining entry to the various factories to do the questionnaires was also quite a daunting task since the management was very strict on us because they saw us as if we were disrupting their activities. We gave an assumption on the target population of the people working in the engineering firms only and not any other offices for other industries such as banking among others. We restricted our method of data collection on the questionnaire and the stratified sampling techniques. We had an assumption that the information given by the respondents were indeed accurate and factual, and all were used for the study.
Conclusion and recommendations
Whereas authorized managers could be monitoring the conditions of the space and the personnel from a technologically savvy control room, everything could change if aspects such as the weather or structural integrity of the confined space changed. In the illustration, when hazardous, inflammable gasses explode in confined spaces, authorized managers may not have had a premonition of the disaster, which means that they could not have had time to warn or evacuate the personnel working in the vents, pipes, or other confined spaces. This could prove disastrous. It is also possible that specific work activities could cause a potential hazard to individuals in confined spaces (WorkSafeBC, 2014). Such risks are usually not present initially but occur because of workmanship activities within the areas. For example, in pipes where work is typically specialized (welding, control checks, and assembly, among others), it is possible for a section of the workforce to fail in its performance, thereby leading to potential danger for the rest of the team.
In spite of all the hazards that confined spaces present, they have significance in strategic and ordinary structures. According to Veasey et al. (2005), confined spaces permit the transportation of critical materials and substances, for example, water, oil, air, and even personnel, depending on the circumstance. Entrants into confined spaces, under the guidance of authorized managers, usually intend to clean, inspect, maintain and repair, rescue, or construct the space by the required configurations. For this reason, there is usually a set guideline of requirements for workers to operate safely and more efficiently in confined spaces. When any employee accesses or undertakes work in confined spaces, the principal or authorized manager ought to comply with the regulations (Workplace Safety and Health Council, 2010).
Under the existing legislation, responsible personnel have to guarantee safe working conditions in the confined spaces. First, the regulation has to identify, record, offer warning signs, and relevant information in the workplace. Secondly, the responsible persons have to evaluate the need for access to the space. There also has to be a safe means of entry and exit, safe practices for opening entrances of confined spaces, adequate and appropriate lighting for entry, and working in the areas, and sufficient ventilation to sustain life before access and during the actual work in the spaces. Also, the responsible persons have to outline control and procedures for entry into confined spaces. These measures include gas testing, hiring of confined space attendants, determination of the fitness of workers for confined spaces, emergency rescue operations (rescue plans and availability of rescue equipment), and safety and health training for supervisors and employees.
References
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