Page 11 - Confined Space Training - Student Manual 2021

Chapter 3 – Assessing Confined Space Hazards & Preparing for Entry

Topics Presented in this Chapter

• Hazards found in confined spaces
• How to determine whether a space is a non-permit or permit-required confined space
• Ways to isolate the confined space
• The procedure for atmospheric testing of a confined space
• How to analyze atmospheric test results
• What is meant by flammable range, UEL and LEL
• Three ways of ventilating a confined space

The hazards encountered and associated with entering and performing work in confined spaces
can cause bodily injury, illness, and death to the worker. Therefore, it is crucial that all workers
involved in confined space entry activities recognize the work is not trivial and routine. How the
work is done, and decisions are made, could determine life or death.

Potential Confined Space Hazards

• Physical:
o Engulfment
o Electrical
o Mechanical
o Thermal
• Phycological:
o Fear of bugs
o Fear of small spaces
o Fear of snakes
• Atmospheric:
o Oxygen deficiency
o Flammable atmosphere
o Toxic contaminations
o Dusts

Incidents, injuries, illnesses, and death can occur to workers for a variety or reasons. Some of the
factors that could contribute to injury or death include:
• Failure to recognize that a confined space contains potential hazards
• Being in a hurry to get the job done
• Inattention to detail
• Allowing distractions to decrease attention and concentration
• Use of unsafe procedures
• Modifying safe practices for comfort, convenience, or other reasons (short cuts)
• Perceived priorities for the job causing safe practices to be modified or overlooked
• Thinking that the risks are low or that the consequences of the risk will not result in
significant injury (“I’m good enough to overcome the risks.” “I’ve done it this way before
and haven’t got hurt yet.”)

Confined Space Training for Entrants, Attendants & Supervisors 11