A small space can be a serious hazard in the workplace to people around it, and it can also be a dangerous work environment for anyone who has to enter it. As you may already be aware, a small space can cause serious injury and even death. However, when you know the risks and take all the steps necessary to ensure everyone’s safety, tragic incidents can be avoided. While there are multiple things you need to do to ensure small space safety in your workplace, providing proper training is crucial and, unfortunately, sometimes overlooked.
Who needs training?
Any person who is going to work in a location with limited exit and entry points, an area not created for humans to occupy, or a spot with a small and hazardous atmosphere needs specialized training. This often includes construction workers and some specialists, petroleum workers and anyone else in an industry that requires entry into a confined space for work.
What types of spaces are there?
There are various types of small spaces that will require worker training before those workers can safely enter. These include silos, pipes, shafts, sewers and other places that were never intended for human occupancy.
If you are not certain about what type of space you have and what training your workers may need, reach out to an experienced confined space rescue and training service provider. A provider can offer your workers the correct training for the types of spaces they may need to enter, and that includes ongoing training. Ensure your workers always have updated knowledge by making training an ongoing effort and not just a one-time program.
What to look for in confined space training
When you are considering the training available for small spaces, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the choices. The right provider will review your spaces and let you know what type of training your workers need. In addition to proper entrance and exit strategies, your workers will learn how to handle the tools and equipment necessary to navigate your space safely. There are many tools and pieces of equipment involved in small space work, and this is not an area where on-the-job training can be safely conducted. Your workers must know and be confident in the operation of these tools and items before entering a space.
As you work with a provider, consider having them help you develop a proper rescue plan and provide some basic rescue training to your workers. While it’s understandable that you may want to have a third-party experienced rescue team for any emergencies at your workplace, your workers on the ground should at least know the immediate steps to take while waiting for the rescue team to arrive. This knowledge can help minimize injuries and the chance of death.
You cannot leave anything about your small spaces to chance. Mistakes in these spaces can have a serious human toll and result in the loss of limbs and even life. Therefore, it’s important to only have properly trained personnel enter these spaces on your work premises at all times. Contact a small space service provider for assistance with your training needs today.