Confined Space Entry

Confined space entry – stay safe with planning, monitoring and protection

Dräger offers solutions and support for working in confined spaces. Guidance for confined space entry risk assessments helps prepare you with the procedures, permits to work and equipment necessary for confined space safety. Our experts offer professional tips and practical confined space training to help you follow correct procedures for working in confined spaces – or calmly deal with confined space rescue scenarios. Products, such as confined space monitoring equipment – including reliable confined space gas detectors and confined space entry equipment for personal protection – help provide confidence and security for site managers and plant workers alike.

Accidents in confined spaces – why do they happen?

A confined space is among the potentially most dangerous workplaces and confined space entry presents many challenges. Despite high safety precautions, too many accidents still happen worldwide, such as predominantly asphyxiation, exposure to hazardous substances or traumatic injuries to name just a few. Thus, when working in confined spaces, safety always comes first. Regarding the questions as to what causes an accident, there is more than one answer to that.

Risk assessment – manage hazards, risks and potential dangers

Risk or hazard – what’s the difference? What does a confined space risk assessment involve? A risk evaluation matrix helps you assess the challenges of confined space entry. Determine what confined space equipment is needed for the detection of any hazardous substances present and how to implement a safe system of work when working in confined spaces.

Danger or risk: what is the difference?

When addressing workplace safety hazards it seems necessary to draw a distinction between “danger” and “risk”.

“Dangers” are all aspects and framework conditions that could have a threatening influence on people, the environment, and plant safety with regard to a specific work situation. Such as entering a confined space.

“Risks” are understood by workplace safety experts as the evaluation of the probability that this danger will occur in this exact situation and describes the specific potential of a hazard.

Hazardous substances may cause damages

Explosions: triggered by sparks, high temperatures or instable behaviour of substances
Bodily damage: contact with toxic gases, vapours, fluids or caustic substances
Long-term bodily damage: carcinogens or gamete-damaging effects of toxic substances
Uncontrolled reactions of chemical substances: contact with certain catalysts

Typical risks for workplace health and safety

Combustible gases and vapours
Toxic fluids and gases: like chlorine (Cl₂), ammonia (NH₃), hydrochloric acid (HCl)
Toxic organic substances: in particular benzene, methane, ethylene, butadiene
Particles: especially breathable ones
Additional dangers and risks: presented by specific work processes

A “safe system of work” – what does it mean for confined space entry?

The goal of the “safe system of work” is to minimise permanently the risks of specific work processes. This involves specifying methods and procedures that need to be implemented at a practical level when working in a confined space. Five partial steps to guide you to a safe system of work:

Step 1 - Avoidance of risks via elimination of tasks
Step 2 - Substitution by less dangerous or harmless processes
Step 3 - Isolation of the danger via preventative interaction in the process (shut off mechanical functions, disconnect power supply, ventilation, etc.)
Step 4 - Accompanying control measures (pre-entry measurement of toxic or explosive gases, of evaluation of entry options, etc.)
Step 5 - Use of personal protective equipment (self-contained breathing apparatus, filter devices, chemical protection suits, etc.)

Permits to work and clearance measurement for confined space entry

These vital process steps for safety are jobs for experts. Find comprehensive knowledge, forms and solutions for the safety of your workers.

PPE – select and use protective equipment

Personal protective equipment is necessary for the safety of all personnel working in confined spaces. What PPE is mandatory for different confined space hazards? What gear or confined space entry equipment comfortably guards you from exposure to hazmats during maintenance work? How to choose the right PPE?

Working safely in confined spaces: Infographic

How to choose the most suitable protection equipment for maintenance and inspection works in confined spaces

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Working safely in confined spaces: Infographic

Selecting Chemical Protection Suits

10 things you need to know about chemical protection suits.

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More strength in the tank

Tank cleaning – a case study for PPE selection.

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Confined space rescue – keep professionals equipped and briefed

A confined space rescue mission should only be carried out by trained professionals with first-hand experience to ensure confined space safety for all. A specific and well-established rescue plan should be in place for a confined space rescue. Technical equipment, as well as organisational and personalised measures, are the keys to success for potential escape and rescue situations.

Developing a specific rescue approach

Here’s how you can greatly reduce potential danger by putting professional and proven rescue approaches in place.

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Confined Space Entry