When working in confined spaces every safety aspect must be considered and all necessary precautions must be taken before entering the potential hazardous atmosphere, containing poisonous substances such as H2S.
Thanks to our highly specialized Confined Space Supervisors, we just finished such an operation, protecting workers entering spaces considered “confined”, containing highly toxic fluids and residues.
Safety Checks & Gas Free Certificates
The past 15 days our confined space specialists have supported an Italian oil center shutdown. As confined space jobs in oil plants are extremely demanding, all safety aspects and procedures were evaluated and before every tank cleaning job, a workplace assessment was completed and the safest technical solution applied.
The Confined Space Supervisors´ responsibilities entailed issuing gas free certificates, ensuring safe access to the following areas:
- Processing towers (up to 30 meters height)
- Small and large separators
- Small underground storage vessels
- Large surface storage vessels
Prepared for Emergencies
During this operation 2 emergencies were performed and in both cases the worker was pulled out of the space fast and without incidents, using our specialized rescue equipment. Our highly specialized access and rescue equipment were installed in the refinery, ready to be deployed in the least possible amount of time.
When asked about the special challenges in this operation, our Confined Space Supervisor explained “Working at 30 meters height was a big challenge for all involved in this project but at the same time it was a golden opportunity to gain highly valuable knowledge and experience in confined space jobs”.
Facts about Confined Spaces
A confined space is an enclosed space that:
- Is large enough to get a person inside
- Is not intended for human occupancy or workplace
- Could have limited or restricted entrance or exit
- Has poor or no ventilation
- May contain potential or known hazards
The alternate entry requirements are:
- Employees must be trained in confined space hazards
- The atmosphere in the confined space must be tested before and during entry
- Continuous ventilation must be used
- If a hazardous atmosphere is detected, or ventilation stops, the space must be promptly exited
- Use of correct PPE
