THE CHANGING NATURE OF CONFINED SPACES by Jimmie Hinze

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THE CHANGING NATURE OF CONFINED SPACESby Jimmie
Hinze
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There is a high death toll in construction
associated with Confined Spaces.The exact count
is unclear due to the way injury causation is
coded.
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Prevention of deaths in confined spaces lies in
understanding them better, but the definitions
are not universal.
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General Descriptions of Confined Spaces

• Space is large enough for human entry.
• Space has limited/restricted entry or exit.
• Space is not designed for continuous occupancy.
• Air Quality may be Hazardous

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The definition seems broad,even so,exceptions
can be found.This was examined in a study
ofConfined Space Accidents.
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Records of 120 confined space accidents were
examined that occurred from 1990-1995.These
included 238 victims(106 fatalities, 78
hospitalizations, 54 injuries w/o
hospitalizaiton).
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Injury reports contain coded data and abstract
information.The abstracts were the primary
source of information.
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Types of Confinement

• Tanks, manholes, work spaces, truck tanks,
  vessels, vaults, tank cars, sumps, silos, pools,
  pipes, bins, pits, etc.

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Examples of Confined Spaces
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Exceptions to the Formal Definitions
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Large enough for human occupancyWorking above
mud truck opening to add water. Worker was
overcome by methane gas released by the drilling
operation. He fell in and drowned.
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Limited/restricted exit/entryWorking in long
corridor with dropped floor section with faulty
water cooler. Worker was lying on his back when
dense refrigerant escaped. Worker died.
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Not designed for continuous occupancyGasline
pump used to pump water from excavation.
Workers stayed out for several hours.Later,
workers entered the areaand were overcome by
carbon monoxide.
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Toxic environments are associated with some
confined space accidentsToluene, carbon
monoxide, methane, nitrogen, methyl chloroform,
hydrogen chloride, smoke, propane, hexane, etc.
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Types of injuries sustained in confined
spacesInhale toxins, asphyxia, burns,
systemic poisoning, drowning, fracture, etc.
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Failure to recognize hazardPainting the walls
of a large pool. Workers were overcome by
toluene fumes from the paint.
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Unexpected conditions in a trenchSmall
cave-in pinned a workers legs. A subsequent
cave-in broke a large water main and the worker
drowned.
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Unusual circumstancesA worker dropped a tool
in a dumpster. He entered the bin to retrieve
the tool. The 60-year old man tried to get
out, but could not. He died of a heart attack.
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Confined spacesConditions are difficult to
classifyTrench, pool, bin, etc.Must be
open-minded to anticipate dangers.
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Major problem with confined spacesHazards
take many forms.Workers are injured are often
those who did not recognize the potential
hazards.
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Hazards of confined spacesare seriousA high
proportion of the accidents involve fatalities
and multiple victims.
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The solution lies in training workers to
recognizethe confined spaces.But is not a
simple task as workers must think.
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Recognize the hazards(workers and
supervisors).Take precautions!!!
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