Fall Protection and Confined Spaces

If a horizontal entry with vertical positioning or retrieval is required — for example, an opening on the side of a tank — a side-entry system will be required. This type of system clamps or bolts to the access point to provide an anchorage and base for attaching a winching mechanism.

When it comes to selecting body support, comfort and durability are major factors. If your employee will be working in the confined space for an extended period of time or at multiple locations throughout the day, consider a high-quality, full-body harness with built-in shoulder, back and leg padding and soft edging. If durability is a bigger priority, consider a harness with protective coating designed to resist dirt, grease and grime, which wipes clean. Basic harnesses are an extremely economical option for employees who rarely need to access a space or who need access for short periods of time.

Specialized harnesses are available for confined space entry and retrieval. These harnesses have D-rings on the top of both shoulder straps. A device called a Y-lanyard connects these two D-rings to the winch line so the employee can be raised and lowered in a fully vertical position. If attaching the winch line to the dorsal D-ring, the employee will be raised and lowered on a slight diagonal, which can be difficult in very tight spaces.

Finally, for the connector, a winching mechanism will be used. A winch, including a steel or synthetic line and crank to release or recoil the line, connects to the tripod or davit system to lower and raise the employee. The key benefits of using a winch include mechanical advantage, allowing one employee to easily lower and lift another, and a braking system. Should the winch operator let go of the crank, the person being raised or lowered will not fall.

An optional feature on some winches, a power drive makes frequent raising and lowering procedures easier on workers. The winch still has manual capabilities, but offers the option of automatically powering the mechanism.

Proper equipment to perform quick, safe rescue is essential in any operation where confined spaces must be entered. Typically, the safest and most effective fall protection systems include self-retracting lifelines. These lifelines should be integrated with a retrieval system in all confined space entry situations; this allows the entry attendant to perform a non-entry rescue, should it become necessary.

PREVENTING TRAGEDY

Talking about safety in confined spaces is good, but there may be no better indication of the need for confined space safety equipment than an example. One year ago this month, workers at a landfill in Superior, Wisc., were trying to fix a faulty pump at the bottom of a manhole. One worker was at the bottom of the hole when he was overcome by hydrogen sulfide fumes. Another worker went down the hole to attempt to rescue him, but he was overcome as well. Another worker followed, then a fourth. All four men tragically died trying to rescue one another.

These types of deaths are preventable. Had the workers been using gas detection devices and wearing harnesses connected to a winch or self retracting lifeline with rescue capabilities, the early warning could have given the entry attendant and other workers enough time to engage the winch and perform a non-entry rescue.

Safety in permit-required confined spaces is not to be taken lightly. Identifying potentially hazardous spaces and putting together a written program is required by law. Furthermore, proper equipment selection and training along with practice entering, exiting and performing rescues is necessary to keep employees safe while working in and around confined spaces.

Charley Bryant is product manager for hardgoods, and Jim Hutter is senior training specialist for Capital Safety (http://www.capitalsafety.com).