7 August 2004 - HSE Warning to Manufacturing Industry Regarding Confined Space Deaths
There are
approximately 4 million people working within the Health and Safety
Executives' (HSE) manufacturing sector, i.e. quarry workers, motor vehicle
repairs, concrete and printing workers, engineering, plastics etc. The
highest rate of fatalities being within the recycling/waste industry.
Due to a triple fatality of three workers on a farm recently, the HSE have
issued a warning to all manufacturing industries.
The three men were working in the confined space of a slurry tank, when
carbon dioxide overcame them. This plus the added lack of oxygen, caused the
workers to drown in less than 1 metre of liquid.
People can become unconscious very quickly indeed, even with little or no
warning, where the build-up of hazardous gases, such as carbon dioxide and
hydrogen sulphide collect in confined spaces.
James Barrett, Head of HSE’s Manufacturing Sector commented:
“In the last four months alone, three people from manufacturing industries have died as a result of entering confined spaces. This latest incident highlights the risks common to all industries and everyone; employers, trade unions, and workers themselves, need to be alert to the dangers.
“It is
not as if the risks from confined spaces are new. Workers need to stop and
think before they enter any confined space, even those with an open top.
Toxic gases can build up or the space may contain little or no oxygen.
“It is no good managers implementing a safe system of work and assuming
employees will follow it. Workers need to be carefully trained and
supervised by a competent manager. Senior management must carry out regular
checks to be sure the correct procedures are always followed. Anything less
is just not good enough and people will continue to die.”
Under the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 employers must first try to avoid the need to enter a confined space. Where this is not possible, they must:
-
carry out an assessment of the risks associated with entering a confined space and draw up a safe system of work
-
limit entry to the confined space to employees who are competent for confined space work and who have received suitable training
-
verify, prior to entry, that the atmosphere in the confined space is safe to breathe;
provide any necessary ventilation -
make sure suitable rescue arrangements are in place before anyone goes in to the confined space. These rescue arrangements should not involve risks to the safety of the people intended to carry out the rescue.
Article by Alexandra Johnston
