Going in holes

[Northern Monkey]

My boss has just done a confined space course and is now saying we've all got to have training, carry gas monitors and have breathing apparatus to do a job we've done for years without. Is this right? Why the sudden change?

[Stubbsie]

Perhaps it has something to do with the legislation of Health & Safety, Confined Spaces, and that employers areultimately responsible for their employees , and corporate manslaughter act which they are now accountable for should anything untoward happen whilst they are "Going in holes".
However "Going into holes" is as you know a high risk environment and to go into such interesting places now requires people to be properly equipped to carry out the task safely & properly, if your employer is going to send you on a course that is to be commended as HE is taking responsibility for you his employee.
Having completed a CS1 course I found it to be a education to be informed of the dangers I wasn't aware of, in answer to your question "is it right" of course it is safety is eveyone's responsibility especially he employer.
Hope you enjoy your course !

[Northern Monkey]

So what your saying is that we have to carry all this extra clutter with us now, even thogh we haven't needed it in the past? Going up and down the ladders is going to be a right pain with breathing apparatus on my back. Is there any way round this?

[Stubbsie]

Dear Mr N Monkey, with regard to your question about taking extra clutter with you, I'm afraid to say that this is the new way forward for the company that you work for, however having always being provided with the correct PPE with the companies I have worked for I have never found it to be clutter but found the equipment to be an essentail extension to my person. Having spoken at length with my colleagues we believe that your company are moving forward and doing the right thing.

[ando]

Hi Northern Monkey,

I think Stubbsie is assuming that because you are now "using" all this additional safety related equipment that you need it.

The need is dependent on the risk assessment done on the works you are carrying out.
Your policy should be that you will assess all potential confined space entry, apply a hierarchy of control (e.g. avoid where possible) and measures commensurate to risk and have specific rescue plans in place.
It is a popular misconception that entry into all confined spaces must involve the use of gas detection, harnesses, escape breathing apparatus, rescue teams, standby men, winches and the like.
Realistically the control measures put into place should be commensurate with the level of risk. It may be that you can make the job safe, adhere to the regulations (and cover your back) by implementing simple control measures like the use of a portable gas detector and a top man.
With regard to SCBA - why is it difficult to use them?
If it is becasue they may snag on the structure, then consider using reduced profine 300bar cylinders or airline feeds
If it is because the space is too small, then consider the fact that your operatives probably shouldn't be entering the space in the first place.
If you are having difficulty entering, then you will have bigger issues escaping if an incident occurs. Bearing in mind that the incident, say a fire may actually be outside the space you are in.
One important thing to consider is the requirement to have emergency arrangements in place. I appreciate that the likelihood of an incident occurring (gas alert, collapse etc) in one of your tanks is low, but you still need to have in place suitable emergency procedures and other incidents such as heart attacks, fits etc should also be planned for.

If the conditions and the assessment require all this "new" equipment......it's purpose if to protect and save your life.

I have attended an number of serious injuries and fatalities, in a number of countries, where a recuring statement made is "we have been doing it this way for year and nothing like this has ever happened before..."

Hope this help....sorry the post is a long one

Ando