This month’s SPS Safety Focus is all about Confined Space. Workers in confined spaces can be at risk for injury or death from lack of oxygen, buildup of explosive or toxic gases, uncontrolled water, falling materials, and electrical hazards.
Treat all confined spaces as hazardous. Never enter a confined space:
- Without proper training, which your employer is required to provide.
- Before the air is tested for oxygen, flammable vapors, and toxic chemicals.
- Before the structure has been checked to make sure it will not collapse.
- Without a dependable way of communicating with a person outside of the space.
- Without appropriate personal protective equipment provided by your employer, such as a self-contained breathing apparatus.
Confined Space Safety Tip: Do not re-enter the same confined space before checking for hazardous conditions.
Reminder – Confined spaces present unique conditions that can become life-threatening!
