The Quebec-based Robert-Sauvé Research Institute for Occupational Health and Safety has published a research report designed to contribute to confined space accident prevention by helping companies apply existing regulations. Researchers wanted to gain a better understanding of confined space risk management and identify issues based on the literature and field observations, and develop a confined space risk analysis and work categorization tool that meets the needs defined in the first stage of the project.
The most common confined spaces in industry are tanks, reservoirs, silos, vats, manholes, pits, sewers, pipes and tank cars or trucks that have certain characteristics defined in the regulations. The risks run by workers who enter these confined spaces are potentially high because of the confinement, inadequate natural ventilation, isolation, and access, rescue and communication problems. Moreover, accidents are common .
A five-step risk assessment tool was developed for confined spaces. The report can be found at http://www.irsst.qc.ca/en/.
