Workers find confined spaces to be one of the most hazardous environments to work in because they have limited visibility, are difficult to move around, and don’t have access to oxygen. A confined room is an enclosed space or partially enclosed space that cannot be occupied. You can find confined spaces in tanks, tunnels, drains, sewerage pipes, and crawl spaces.
In Australia, confined space training is a major factor in the occurrence of accidents. Fire and Safety Australia reported that 92 percent of workplace fatalities in confined space incidents in Western Australia resulted from inadequate training. Research also shows that inadequate knowledge and skills in working in confined spaces are the second cause of fatalities and injuries. It is crucial to invest in confined space training in your business if workers are required to enter or operate in confined places.
Despite your best efforts, accidents can still happen. Training employees in safe work practices and working health will help you reduce the risk of them happening. Here are some reasons your business might need confined space training.
Identifying Dangers And Resistances
Confined Spaces are prone to dangers and hazards that aren’t visible to the naked human eye. Your workers can reduce these risks by identifying potential dangers and reporting them back to their supervisors. The following are just a few of the hazards that confined spaces can pose:
Harmful airborne pollutants include the build-up of hydrogen sulfide and other contaminants in sewers.
Unsafe oxygen levels- This can happen when gases such as methane, which is produced during biological processes, are released.
Explosion and fire are two possible outcomes of introducing an ignition source, such as a sparking electronic tool or static electricity on a person into a space with a flammable environment.
Handling Emergencies
How they react in an emergency such as a fire or gas leak is a clear difference between a worker who has been trained in confined spaces. In such situations, the actions taken by workers can make the difference between life and death. A key thing to do in an emergency is to remain calm and composed. Often, only trained workers can do this. For your workers, it is essential to be aware of the dangers and what to avoid when working in confined areas.
Business Compliance
Australian workers must undergo training in confined spaces because of the inherent danger of being in such spaces. As a business, there are legal obligations. You must ensure that people who work in enclosed spaces have the proper qualifications and certificates. The Work Health and Safety Act gives the employer or business the primary duty to ensure worker safety.
The responsibility for limiting the entry into confined spaces lies with the designers of equipment or structures. Small businesses doing work in confined places must register workers and supervisors with an accredited confined-space training course. This will protect your business against fines, lawsuits, and other public relations disasters.
Long-Term Saving
Making a profit and worker safety should be top priorities for any business. You won’t lose money if you ensure your workers are properly trained for working in confined spaces. Accidents at work will result in you having to take sick leave or pay for court costs. The cost of confined space training per worker can save you thousands, even millions of dollars in the long term.
Encouraging Leadership
Positive leadership skills are a plus. It might be worth enrolling your employees in a confined space training course to enhance their skill set and add value to your business. You can help your employees learn more about toxic gases and equipment. This training can also benefit the rest. This will increase safety for you and your business.