If the workforce is not fully trained, they will not spot the clear signs of an emergency in confined places. Employees who have taken online confined space certification training are equipped with knowledge of any critical hazards. As a result, they’ll be able to take precautions to prevent a mishap. To avoid accidents and tragedies associated with working in confined spaces, employers must ensure that their workers receive the proper training.
What is a confined space?
It is a restricted area that is spacious enough for an individual to access but has a limited or restricted entrance or exit and is not designed for human occupancy. Confined spaces, contrary to popular belief, are not particularly small. Examples of confined spaces include manholes, silos, sewers, pipelines, hoppers, tankers, radiators, utility tunnels, access shafts, water supply poles, aircraft wings, and pump stations.
Specific industries that need confined space training
Before entering confined spaces, the task-given workforce must be well-informed to identify hazards and exercise risk management strategies. Those who issue permits for confined space access and design confined space workstations must complete industry-specific confined space training. Here are some specific industries that necessitate online confined space certification:
- Construction: Limited areas such as trenches, crawl spaces, and drainage pipes are accessed by construction workers during a building project.
- Mining: The extraction industry is considered one of the riskiest industries for working in restricted areas.
- Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector involves working in restricted areas with various hazardous substances and chemicals such as sealants, volatile products, and plastics.
- Food and Beverage: Sometimes, even workers in this sector operate in areas that are entirely or partially enclosed.
Training Teaches The Handling Of Specialized Equipment
All workers should have access to safety gear and equipment such as helmets, lamps, torches, or high-visibility clothes before entering and starting operations in confined spaces. Confined space training instructs employees in safely handling various devices or equipment, such as the following:
Oxygen Monitors
Air monitoring is an essential preliminary step before entering any confined place. The confined space must first be checked for oxygen before flammable gasses. Also, the level of toxic gasses should be within OSHA’s acceptable exposure limit. In training, the team members will learn how to operate oxygen monitors.
Lighting Equipment
Confined spaces often lack natural lighting. Therefore, workers need to carry lighting equipment. However, in damp conditions, there are specific standards applied for using lights for managing voltage-cause incidents and electrical shock impact.
Specialist Ladders
Fiberglass confined space ladders for easy access to limited areas replace the standard step ladder. This type of specialized ladder is non-conductive, up to 30,000 volts. Confined space training will instruct the workers on using fiberglass confined space ladders for maximum safety.
Ventilation Fans
While operating in small, confined areas with limited airflow and ventilation, hazardous conditions can arise. The workers will learn how to properly install confined space ventilators and blowers in or around confined or enclosed spaces with online confined space certification training.
Conclusion
Apart from leading equipment handling, online confined space training also instructs the workers about potential hazards in restricted or confined spaces and risk control measures implemented. It also offers specialized guidance in choosing, using, testing, storing, and fitting personal protective equipment (PPE). It teaches emergency procedures and makes a person eligible for a confined space entry permit.
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