Working in Confined Spaces
Working in confined spaces is a high risk working environment.
What does it mean Working in Confined Space
Any significantly enclosed space where there is a risk of death or serious injury from hazardous substances, lack of oxygen or other dangerous conditions is classed as a confined space. Confined spaces with small openings such as silos, drains, sewers and storage tanks are fairly obvious. Others are not. Ductwork, vats, open-topped chambers may be less obvious.
Before Working in Confined Space Commence
Before working in confined space commences, certain steps should be taken. All hazards present must be identified and the risks assessed. This information should then be used to determine what precautions are needed and safety procedures developed (including emergency rescue).
Confined Space Entry
If working in confined spaces can be avoided – it should be avoided.
According to the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Confined Spaces) Regulations 2001, Regulation 5 states that:
A person shall not carry out work in Confined Spaces if it is reasonably practicable that it could be avoided.
If the work must be carried out Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment must be carried out prior to the work commencing.
A person shall not enter a confined space unless there is a system of work in place that has been planned, organised, performed and maintained so as to render that work safe and without risk to health.
Anyone entering a confined space must be provided with appropriate information, training and instruction appropriate to the particular characteristics of the proposed work activities.
Questions to Ask
Before working in confined space commence, the following should be considered:
If someone is working in a confined space, think about the following:
- If a worker gets overcome by fumes how will anyone know this is happening?
- Once workers become overcome by fumes how can they be rescued?
Always:
- Make sure you are fully aware of all the risks associated with working in confined space!
- Make sure that the person performing work in confined space is competent (capable and trained) to work in confined spaces and in use of emergency equipment.
Never:
- Work in confined spaces if it can be avoided.
- Let unskilled people engage in confined space work.
- Let anyone enter confined space unless sure it is safe to do so.
- NEVER ignore risks associated with working in confined space.
Useful Resources
The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) has a very useful info page titled Working in Confined Spaces. This page covers some of the most frequently asked questions about working in confined spaces.
In addition, the UK’s Health and Safety Executive info page titled Introduction to working in confined spaces can provide additional very useful information about working in confined spaces.
Tragic Example
As The Irish Times reported; on June 10th, 2015 brothers Alan (45) and Stephen Harris (32) were overcome by fumes while working in an underground sewer at Drumnigh Woods, Portmarnock, Co Dublin. They were taken from the sewer and taken to hospital but unfortunately died of hypoxia due to toxic levels of hydrogen sulphide.
The brothers were wearing wader boots and rain jackets and Stephen Harris was wearing a dust mask.
A toxic gas incident that claimed the lives of two brothers almost killed a fireman attempting to rescue them.
How It Could Have Been Avoided
Health and Safety Authority inspector Frank Kerins said the job required specialist equipment in accordance with confined space regulations, including a gas detector and breathing apparatus.
Online Health and Safety Training
Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.
Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.
This is why we have established Myelearsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.
Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.
To find out more, please check our Courses page.
Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie
Equipment in the Workplace
Equipment in the workplace can be a cause for a serious accident. Unfortunately some of these accidents can be fatal. According to the Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) work equipment can be described as ‘any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work‘. This description is very broad and it demonstrates that the scope of work equipment is very extensive.
eLearn Safety offers a list of relevant courses that look into equipment in the workplace and its use. A solid starting course is Workplace Safety – Level 1. This course is ideal for every employee in any workplace that’s subject to Health and Safety Legislation. Safety in the workplace is everyone’s responsibility. It provides all employees who participate on this course with information on how to identify hazards and carry out simple risk assessments.
Equipment in the Workplace and the Law
The Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007 sets out the requirements with regard to equipment in the workplace. It is impossible to list all the equipment that might be used in a workplace setting, but it generally includes the following:
- Plant – large fixed or mobile equipment such diggers, forklift trucks, tractors, cranes, etc.
- Machinery – seemingly harmless equipment such as printer machines, cookers, but also meat slicers, band saws, circular saws, etc.
- Tools – simple tools such as screwdrivers, knives, pliers, etc.
Employer and Employee Duties in Regard to Equipment in the Workplace
Both employers and employees have a number of duties under the 2005 Act in terms of equipment in the workplace. For a more comprehensive list of employer and employee duties please see HSA page titled Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. In broad terms we can describe duties as follows:
- Employers – have the responsibility to provide and maintain suitable and safe equipment in the workplace. An employer is also responsible for providing training and information on risks and precautions associated with use of the equipment in the workplace.
- Employees – have the responsibility to select the suitable machine/tool for the work to be undertaken, make sure they are trained in its use and operate the machine/tool according to the safe working procedures.
Main Dangers arising from the Equipment in the Workplace
Some of the dangers of the equipment in the workplace are:
- Traps and Entrapment – Moving equipment, such as presses and hydraulic jacks can trap body parts.
- Contact – Abrasions, bruising or friction burns can occur when people accidentally come into contact with moving parts.
- Impact – Moving parts may hit operators or the public if unguarded or badly sited.
- Ejection – Some unguarded equipment, e.g. drills and saws, may throw off bits of metal or wood.
- Entanglement – Moving machinery such as rollers, cogs and conveyors that can entangle hair, jewellery and clothes, even pulling whole bodies into machinery.
Controls
There are a number of controls that can be used to minimise dangers associated with the use of the equipment in the workplace. For additional information about Hierarchy of Controls, please see eLearn Safety blog entry from 24th February 2023 titled Workplace Hazards.
Guarding is often used as a method of controlling the risks associated with moving parts and machinery. Some guards act as a permanent barrier to prevent people from gaining access to a dangerous area. Other moveable types will prevent the machine from operating unless the guard is in place. It is important that guards and other safety features, such as emergency stop buttons and alarms are working correctly. If they are not, the machinery should not be used.
When selecting equipment in the workplace, it is important to choose the safest possible option for a work activity. All equipment must be CE marked and suitable for the task to be used for.
Some general rules for using any workplace equipment apply:
- Select the right equipment for the right job.
- Make sure the equipment is maintained and in good condition.
- Report broke, damaged or worn equipment to a supervisor.
- Only use equipment you have been trained to use.
- Use all equipment correctly.
- All equipment should be stored correctly after use.
All equipment in the workplace must be well maintained to ensure it is in safe working order. The maintenance should be carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions by a competent person.
Equipment is only as safe as the person using it!
Online Health and Safety Training
Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.
Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.
This is why we have established Myelearsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.
Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.
To find out more, please check our Courses page.
Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie
Pressure and Gas at Work
Pressure and gas at work from a mains supply can be very dangerous. Gas from mains is an explosive hazard if not used correctly. In addition, poorly maintained systems can cause death from carbon monoxide poisoning. It is important to make sure anyone employed to work on gas appliances is a Registered Gas Installer (RGI). According to Gas Networks Ireland:
“A Registered Gas Installer is an installer or service engineer who has completed the required gas installation safety training, who has the necessary insurance to carry out gas installations to the legal standard and who is registered with the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland.”
You should never use an unregistered gas installer to carry out work on your gas appliances, such as gas boilers, no matter how seemingly convenient or tempting it may be. Not even if this unregistered engineer is Daniel O’Donnell.
Pressure Systems
A pressure vessel is a container that holds a liquid or gas under pressure. A pressure system is one or more such vessels including associated pipework. Examples of pressure systems include compressed air systems, boilers, steam heating systems and autoclaves. If a pressure system fails during operation it can kill or injure people in the area. In addition, a significant damage to the property can happen due to impact from the blast, debris from the explosion and fire from escaping flammable gases or liquids.
Gas Cylinders
Gas cylinders can cause the same injuries as pressure vessels should the cylinder fail or be damaged. In addition, they can cause manual handling injuries from lifting and carrying heavy cylinders and crush injuries should cylinders fail.
Basic handling precautions include:
- Securing cylinders upright so they do not fall.
- Keeping cylinders away from fire.
- Making sure cylinders are not dropped or banged.
- Moving larger cylinders with a special hand truck rather than dragging or rolling them.
- Always checking the identity of the gas before using it.
The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland (HSA) has a useful information page about gas titled Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Storage.
General Pressure and Gas at Work Controls
General controls when pressure and gas at work are in question include:
- Regular maintenance and correct repair from a competent person.
- Safe systems of work.
- Training and supervision.
Online Health and Safety Training
Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.
Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.
This is why we have established Myelearsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.
Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.
To find out more, please check our Courses page.
Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie
Workplace Transport and Vehicles
Almost all businesses use some form of workplace transport and vehicles. There are many examples. A busy factory site with lorries being loaded for despatch. Forklift trucks whizzing around the site. Staff arriving for work in cars. Visitors and staff walking around the site and delivery vehicles reversing into dock loading bays.
Without controls aimed at workplace transport and vehicles, there is a high likelihood of an accident occurring. Unfortunately, almost every year a number of people are killed in vehicle accidents at the workplace.
Risk Assessment – Workplace Transport and Vehicles
A risk assessment must be carried out to identify the hazards and implement controls to minimise the risk. Such controls may include:
- Clearly marking segregated traffic routes separating pedestrians from vehicles. This would be ideally done with physical barriers.
- Making sure route ways are sufficiently wide for the vehicle, for example aisles between warehouse racking should be wide enough for a forklift truck to move easily and manoeuvre with loads.
- Avoidance of obstructions in traffic routes by enforcing good housekeeping.
- Sufficient lighting, both externally and internally, to enable drivers to identify obstructions, other vehicles and pedestrians.
- Keeping traffic routes in good repair so uneven surfaces, holes, etc. do not cause vehicle damage or accidents.
- Speed limits that are displayed and enforced as well as signage to alert drivers to other hazards such as low headroom, or overhead cables.
- Designing traffic routes to avoid blind bends and where visibility is restricted, mirrors or implementing one-way systems should be considered.
Common Causes of Accidents
When we talk about workplace transport and vehicles, one of the most common vehicles used in the workplace is a forklift truck. They account for many of all workplace transport accidents.
Common causes of accidents are:
- Driving too fast.
- Unbalanced loads.
- Horseplay.
- Reversing.
Reversing of workplace transport and vehicles is a frequent cause of accidents. Consideration should be given to ensure adequate space for reversing vehicles and restricting access to the reversing area. This area should be clearly marked and signed.
Visiting drivers should be made aware of the site layout and transport routes. It may be necessary to provide instructions in other languages for foreign drivers and allow for the fact they may have different visibility from left hand drive vehicles.
Maintaining Safe Workplace and Transport Vehicles
There are many different types of workplace and transport vehicles that can be used. A proper selection will depend on the task to be performed. It is very important that the correct vehicle is selected for the appropriate task and that the vehicle is safe to use. As well as regular routine maintenance, there are some basic pre-use checks drivers should make. These include:
- Horn.
- Lights.
- Brakes.
- Tyres.
- Oil Spillages.
- Seat and Seat Belt.
- Any Obvious Signs of Vehicle Damage.
Whichever vehicle is being driven, the driver must be trained and competent. Safe system of work should be in place to make sure unauthorised staff cannot operate vehicles and there are sufficient work breaks to stop drivers becoming overtired.
Safety Management Resources for workplace and Transport Vehicles
The Health and Safety Authority of Ireland provides a comprehensive key transport safety management resources available on their website page titled Vehicles at Work. The resources are a convenient and easy to use information portal. In addition, the HSA has published a convenient Information Sheet that provides basic guidance on the management of vehicles and mobile work equipment in the workplace.
Online Health and Safety Training
Proactive Health and Safety training is critical to ensure a safe workplace. An effective training program can reduce the number of worker injuries and deaths. It can also reduce instances of property damage, legal liability, illnesses, and missed time from work.
Health and Safety training helps establish a culture in which employees themselves help promote proper safety procedures while on the job. It is important that new employees be properly trained and embrace the importance of workplace safety. The role of training in developing and maintaining effective hazard control activities is a proven and successful method of intervention.
This is why we have established Myelearsafety school. We pride ourselves in how we guide, support and mentor our students. They receive support throughout their learning experience and into their working lives. Our staff have extensive training experience and also have many years industry experience. We understand the challenges that exist within Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety. Our priority is to ensure that all learners are fully prepared to differentiate themselves in the workplace after completing our Health and Safety courses.
Myelearnsafety offers fully online Health and Safety courses.
To find out more, please check our Courses page.
Alternatively, should you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let us know via email info@elearn.ie