Provision of ventilation
You may be able to increase the number of openings and therefore improve ventilation. Mechanical ventilation may be necessary to ensure an adequate supply of fresh air. This is essential where portable gas cylinders and diesel-fuelled
equipment are used inside the space because of the dangers from build-up of engine exhaust. Warning: carbon monoxide in the exhaust from petrol-fuelled engines is so dangerous that use of such equipment in confined spaces should never be allowed.
Testing the air
This may be necessary to check that it is free from both toxic and flammable vapours and that it is fit to breathe. Testing should be carried out by a competent person using a suitable gas detector which is correctly calibrated. Where the risk
assessment indicates that conditions may change, or as a further precaution, continuous monitoring of the air may be necessary.
Provision of special tools and lighting -&- loves this One ? why
Non-sparking tools and specially protected lighting are essential where flammable or potentially explosive atmospheres are likely. In certain confined spaces (e.g. inside metal tanks) suitable precautions to prevent electric shock include use of extra low voltage equipment (typically less than 25 V) and, where necessary, residual current devices.
Provision of rescue harnesses
Lifelines attached to harnesses should run back to a point outside the confined space.
Communications
An adequate communications system is needed to enable communication between people inside and outside the confined space and to summon help in an emergency.
Check how the alarm is raised
Is it necessary to station someone outside to keep watch and to communicate with anyone inside, raise the alarm quickly in an emergency, and take charge of the rescue procedures?
Is a ‘permit-to-work’ necessary ? CSCS -&-
A permit-to-work ensures a formal check is undertaken to ensure all the elements of a safe system of work are in place before people are allowed to enter or work in the confined space. It is also a means of communication between site
management, supervisors, and those carrying out the hazardous work. Essential features of a permit-to-work are:
* clear identification of who may authorise particular jobs (and any limits to their authority) and who is responsible for specifying the necessary precautions(eg isolation, air testing, emergency arrangements etc);
* provision for ensuring that contractors engaged to carry out work are included;
* training and instruction in the issue of permits;
* monitoring and auditing to ensure that the system works as intended.
Shut down
It may be necessary to shut down adjacent plant before attempting emergency rescue. ↔ ( A Must )
First-aid procedures
Trained first aiders need to be available to make proper use of any necessary first-aid equipment provided.
Local emergency services
How are the local emergency services (eg, fire brigade) made aware of an incident ?
What information about the particular dangers in the confined space is given to them on their arrival ?
Relevant law
* The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997;
* The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999;
* The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended);
* The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended);
* The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998;
* Electricity at Work Regulations 1989;
* Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
Some of the above law is relevant because of the nature of the work to be carried out inside a confined space, e.g. where there are risks from machinery, electricity or from hazardous substances.
All I ask is you tell your Mates about This Site . Please ( Amberleaf )
PS : Thank You Dan and The Chaps for There Air Space ←←←←←←←←
Wearing Ear Protection : ↔ ( Remember Mandatory : Must Obey / Blue/White Symbol .
You should Wear Ear Protection when the sound Level is between the 85db and 90db action Levels . you must Wear it above 90db .
Without Protection there is a Risk of Damage to your Hearing . Remember that, over time, this Damage can result in Permanent Hearing Loss. Ear Protection cannot repair Damage that has already been caused .
Noise Level 20db / Activity , Quiet Whisper .
Noise Level 60db / Activity , Car at 50km/hour
Noise Level 80db / Activity , Home hi-fi .
Noise Level 83db / Activity , Bricklayer .
Noise Level 90db / Activity , Passing tube train .
Noise Level 92db / Activity , Carpenter .
Noise Level 101db / Activity , Portable power tools .
Noise Level 102db / Activity , Bench saws .
Noise Level 110db / Activity , Pneumatic drill, Nightclub .
Noise Level 120db / Activity , Rock Concert .
Noise Level 140db / Activity , Cartridge Tools ( they don’t give you Warning when they fire the bloody thing )
Noise at Work Regulations 1989 :
Noise Levels are Measured with Sound Level Meters. They have up to four Scales. ( A to D ) which give readings in Decibels ( db )
The most Common Scale for Construction Work and for Legal Purposes is the ( A ) Scale .
The Regulations Identify time Limits for Exposure to various Sound Levels and set Out three action Levels :-
First Level 85db ( A ) Scale :-
Employee is Provided, at their Request, with Suitable and Efficient Personal Ear Protectors .
Second Level 90db ( A ) Scale :-
Employee is Provided with Suitable Personal Ear Protectors, which must be Worn .
Peak Level 140db ( A ) Scale :-
Employee must Wear the Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) Provided as Noise at this Level will Cause Permanent Damage to Hearing .
Noise Assessments should be Carried Out by a Competent Person .
Change to the Noise at Work Regulations :
The Current Regulations were Adopted in November 2002 : from December 2005 the Limits of the First and Second action Levels will be Reduced by 5db .
Pump Down the Volume : Noise Safety .
Noise is the Sound made by Pressure Changes in the Air and picked up by your Ear.
Loud Noise can Annoy People. More Importantly, it can Damage you Hearing. But very Soft Noise can be Difficult to hear .
People who are Exposed to High Noise Levels, even for a Sort time, may Experience Temporary Hearing Loss .
If they are Exposed to Noise for a long time they can Suffer Serious, Permanent Hearing Loss. Sufferers don’t often realise that their Hearing is Damaged until other people ask : “ Can’t you Hear me ? Are you Deaf ?
The Damage happens when Pressure Changes in the Air Affect the Inner Ear. This is the part of the Ear that allows you to Hear.
You will find that Loud Noise over a Short Period of time can Cause Temporary Hearing Loss and a “ Buzzing “ in your Ears .
At Work. Noise can Stop you Concentrating. It distracts you and may make you Unsafe. There is Legislation in Place to help Protect your Hearing throughout your Lifetime .
Noise is Measured in Decibels ( db )
As a Guide. A Useful “ Rule of Thumb “ is :-
* if you have to raise your voice to speak to someone 2 meters away. Noise Levels are about ( 85db )
* f you have to Shout to Speak to Someone who is 1 meters away. Noise Levels are about ( 90db )
Identifying “ Ear Protection Zones “ and putting up Signs where Noise is at or Above ( 90db ) can Control the Effects of Noise .
Working with Power: Electrical Safety
It’s therefore Very Important that you Make Sure any Electrical Equipment ( Including Powered Hand Tools ) are Safe to Work with .
To do this you must Follow these Safety Procedures .
* Do Not Plug in Before Checking :
When you first come across a piece of Electrical Equipment or Powered Hand Tool. You Won’t know if it is Safe to Plug in and Work with
The Rule is “ Do Not Plug in Until you have Checked the Tool “ if you Plug the Powered Tool in and there is a Fault with it, you could be Seriously Injured or Killed !!
* Check Body of Power Tool :
Check that the Body of the Tool is Clean and free from Grease or Excessive Dirt, This Dirt could make the Tool more Difficult to Hold and Control. It could also Hide other Defects, Check for Cracks in the Body, Check for Loose Fittings and Missing Bits of the Tool.
Check as well to see if there is an Up-to-Date ( Pat Label on the Tool ) ↔ -&- Pat is the “ Pat is the “ Portable Appliance Test “
This will show it has Passed an Electrical Safety Test on a Particular Date . the Test must be Carried Out by a Competent Person .
* Check Cable on Power Tool :
The Cable could be Considered the “ Weaker “ Part of the Power Tool. It often lies on the Ground in Dirt and Water and can easily be Damaged by Treading or Driving Over it . Check the Cable for Cuts, Abrasions, Burns, Bare Wires and Frayed Ends ,
Working with Power: Electrical Safety .
* Check Plug of Power Tool :-
The Plug needs to be Checked to make sure it is Not Dirty, Wet or Covered in Grease. Check the Pins are in Place and Not Loose or Misshapen. Also Check the Casing of the Socket to make sure the Spring-Loaded Cover Operates Correctly and that it is Not Cracked .
* Check Voltage of Power Tool :
If the Plug and Cable are Colored Yellow the Power Tool will Operate at 110Volts . there may also be Labels on the Power Tool showing
110Volts . To Work on Building Sites, all Power Tools should be at this Reduced Voltage or , better still, Battery Operated .
* Plug in Power Tool :-
Once you have made all the Checks Correctly. You can plug in Power Tool and start Work. If you are Not Sure about the Checks you have just made, do Not-Plug in the Tool and Do Not Start-Work. Go and ask Advice from your Supervisor .
There is No-Set Procedure for Checking Power Tools before Use, but it is Good Practice to Decide your own Routine .