Atmospheric Hazards in Confined Space

on

Atmospheric hazards include oxygen deficiency, dusts, gases, fumes, mists and vapors which are common hazards in a workplace whether working in a industrial ground, mines or in confined spaces. These hazards can seriously affect the health of workers.

The most common atmospheric hazards associated with confined space is:

  • Oxygen deficiency - or low level of oxygen occurs when open flame take place such as welding, brazing or cutting. It also occurs in a garbage dumps, swamp areas or landfills which fermentation take place where it consumes most of the oxygen.
  • Oxygen displacement - occurs when inert gas such gas nitrogen replace the oxygen in confined space. This usually happens when purging process take place.
  • Toxic gasses - occurs mostly in manufacturing plants where toxic substances use for production process. It also occurs due to biological or chemical reactions or breakdown in a substance stored in tanks etc. Examples of toxic gas in Carbon Monoxide and H2S.  
  • Flammable gasses - occurs when the atmosphere are filled with 3 main component which makes it flammable; oxygen, heat and fuel. In order for the atmosphere to become flammable, it must have the appropriate mixture of fuel and oxygen. 
    Fire Triangle


 Atmospheric hazards in confined space can derives from activities such as below;

  • The work processes being done. For example; spray painting
  • Spills or leaks from pipes or machinery
  • Disturbance of materials. For examples; walking through a shallow liquid substances
  • The storage or transfer of materials 
  • Gasses in storm water drains and sewers
  • Exhaust gasses from pumps and other machinery being drawn into the confined space by ventilation fan


Painting
Welding

Protect yourself by;

  1. Get to know the chemicals in you work area
  2. Get proper training on handling the chemicals
  3. Wear suitable PPE
  4. Inspect all safety equipment regularly and ensure all are clean and in good condition
  5. Wear personal gas detector all the time when working in the atmospheric condition
  6. Follow all safety signage 
  7. Know the safe operating procedure of the workplace, evacuation routes in case of alarm and emergency procedures.
  8. Do not enter the control access area without being trained
Before carry out any work in confined space which have atmospheric hazards, one most important checklist is the gas test checklist. Always have with you checklist to ensure that pre-entry steps are taken care of.






Comments

Post a Comment