DANGEROUS ATMOSPHERES IN CONFINED SPACES
A confined space does not necessarily mean a IDENTIFY CONTROLS
small, enclosed space. It could be rather large, Check for atmospheric hazards before entering
such as a ship's hold, a fuel tank, or a pit. any confined space. Use properly calibrated gas
detection equipment. Many dangerous
DEFINING A CONFINED SPACE atmospheres cannot be detected by smell or
1. The space is large enough to allow an taste.
employee to enter and perform work;
You may need a selection of detectors—one
2. It has limited means of entry or exit. Entry detector can’t test for everything. Some
may be obtained through small or large detectors have sensors that check for oxygen
openings and usually there is only one way in content, explosive gases or vapours, and a range
and out; and of toxic gases. Some have only one or two sensors
3. Confined spaces are not designed or used for and may not detect certain types of hazards.
continuous human occupancy. Check all levels of the space. Some contaminants
are lighter than air and accumulate near the top.
DANGERS IN CONFINED SPACES Others are heavier than air and settle at the
Oxygen-deficient atmospheres bottom.
Flammable atmospheres
Toxic atmospheres If you leave the space, test before you go back in.
Mechanical or physical hazards Dangerous atmospheres can develop without
warning.
Loose materials that can engulf or smother
If tests indicate a dangerous atmosphere, you
DANGEROUS ATMOSPHERES must NOT enter the space until it is thoroughly
A confined space with sufficient oxygen might ventilated and subsequent tests indicate the air
become an oxygen-deficient space once a worker is safe to breathe.
begins welding or performing other tasks. These
Ventilation and testing must continue as long as
are some of the reasons confined spaces are
you are in the space.
hazardous:
If the space can’t be adequately ventilated, you
Lack of adequate ventilation can cause the
can only enter if:
atmosphere to become life threatening because
of harmful gases. you wear suitable respiratory protection and a
The oxygen content of the air can drop to deadly full-body harness attached to a rope anchored
levels. outside the space and held by a worker with an
Sometimes a confined space is deliberately filled alarm;
with nitrogen as a fire prevention technique. you have a means of communication with the
Nitrogen cannot sustain human life. You must worker outside; and
use respiratory protection. a person trained and equipped in artificial
Many gases are explosive and can be set off by a respiration and emergency rescue is available
spark. outside the space.
Even dust is an explosion hazard in a confined Never try to rescue a worker overcome in a
space. Finely-ground materials such as grains, confined space unless you are trained and
fibers, and plastics can explode upon ignition. equipped for it.
Confined spaces often have physical hazards,
such as moving equipment and machinery.
Materials can fill tanks and other enclosed
confined spaces, engulfing occupants.
Dangerous Atmospheres in Confined Spaces | Dangers atmosphériques dans les espaces clos | ᐅᓪᓗᕆᐊᓇᖅᑐᓕᑦ ᐊᓂᕐᓂᖃᕐᓇᖅᑐᒥ ᓂᕈᑭᑦᑐᒥ - AUG 2017
