Confined Space Dangers Take a Greater Toll

Confined Space Dangers

Earlier this year, in just one part of the US, it became terribly clear that Confined Space Entry (CSE) training is essential.

According to OSHA, there were twelve fatalities in just a three-state area (Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska), in a period stretching from October 1 of 2016 through the first day of February 2017, which were accountable to unsafe confined space entry or trenching activities. This is an increase from seven lost lives, in the same area and in the same time, just one year earlier. An increase of that percentage in a large geographic area leads one to believe that quality CSE instruction is lacking nationally.

Nothing exceeds the tragedy of the loss of life caused by a safety failure, but the resulting effects upon operations can also be catastrophic. OSHA Regional Administrator Kim Stille says, “Workplace safety and health incidents hurt workers and their families, and they cost businesses’ capital better invested in growing their business and creating jobs. By identifying and controlling job-related hazards that can lead to injuries and illnesses, businesses can improve their safety and health programs, save money and improve competitiveness.”

This is where training comes in, of course. Appropriate CSE instruction, that improves the ‘safety mindset’ and includes a real-world experience, is the best means to protect workers and keep operations humming. Findlay All Hazards has taken a special interest in CSE in the last year, introducing the new Mobile Confined Space Simulator. The mobile unit lets Findlay bring CSE training to your location, and conduct exercises with your team on your turf. This can save considerable time and expense, with the least impact on your schedule.

Back at our Ohio campus, an indoor simulator lets training groups work in multiple chambers. Both simulators use full-scale props and real PPE, and Findlay CSE exercises include multiple evolutions in both vertical and horizontal spaces.

Remember, CSE is basically defined as working in places where human beings weren’t meant to go. In any other endeavor where that is the case – underwater work, for example – training and certifications are as important as the task at hand. Without the confidence that comes from great preparation, confined space workers are at as a great a risk as at any time in their lives.

Leave a Comment

SIGN IN

Forgot Password

X