Health and Safety

More than two million workers work in confined spaces every year . Each of those spaces has unique hazards and risks that the worker must address. From hazardous atmospheric conditions to biological hazards and potential combustible materials, safety professionals have much to consider before workers enter confined spaces. Answering a couple of key questions can help you make sure that workers stay safe in confined spaces. What Is a Confined Space? To effectively address the hazards that workers face in confined spaces, you need to become aware about the terminology. This starts with an understanding of what a confined space is and how such an environment differs from other conditions that workers may encounter. OSHA definition of confined space: 1. The area is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work. 2. The area has limited means for exit and entry (e.g., tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults and pits