The Need for a Comprehensive Approach to Managing Confined Space Entry: Summary of the Literature and Recommendations for Next Steps

Abstract

Despite all the regulatory and standard-setting efforts that have been made in North America, judging from the most recent statistics many fatal incidents related to work in confined spaces still occur. In Canada, fatal incidents in the province of Quebec reveal failures in and absence of the identification and preparation of work situations in confined spaces and in risk management. In this study, we performed a literature review consisting of 77 documents on existing hazards and risk assessment for confined spaces. Moreover, we formulated proposals regarding the design of specific and improved tools for assessing such risks. We found that atmospheric hazards monopolized attention in the literature on confined spaces, while risk estimation specific to confined space interventions received little practical coverage overall, apart from atmospheric hazards. The parameters used to establish classes or groupings of confined spaces in existing tools were imprecise. The development of a risk analysis process that is (i) more systematic and based on the concepts recognized in risk management standards, (ii) multidisciplinary, and (iii) adapted to the specific characteristics of confined spaces is therefore needed. Such a process will better support managers and occupational health and safety (OH&S) personnel in their efforts to prioritize and reduce risks. Suggestions on such a risk analysis tool and categorization of interventions in confined spaces are proposed in this article. Lastly, risk analysis tools adapted to confined space interventions are needed to ensure the inherently safe design of these spaces.

Occupational safety during interventions in confined spaces

“…Twenty percent of these events resulted in several deaths (Wilson et al, 2012). Other revealing statistics about the risks involved in confined space interventions were inventoried by Burlet-Vienney et al (2014) in a literature review (e.g. Fuller and Suruda, 2000;Dorevitch et al, 2002;Beaver and Field, 2007;Riedel and Field, 2013 In Quebec, employers are legally bound to respect Division XXVI (sections 297 to 312) of the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety (ROHS) (Quebec Government, 2014) when it comes to work in confined spaces.…”

“…For example, when assessing the risks associated with confined spaces, theoretically the following points must be taken into account: (i) the physical characteristics, configuration, and location of the confined space, (ii) the past use and contents of the confined space, (iii) the work to be carried out and duration of the intervention, (iv) the number of entrants and their physical and psychological condition, (v) interactions among the various hazards, (vi) variations in conditions over time, and (vii) rescue conditions (ANSI/ASSE, 2009;Burlet-Vienney et al, 2014). In addition, the problem of delays in firefighters' interventions during rescue operations in confined spaces was raised by Wilson et al (2012), as were problems with the identification of risks in certain situations: ocean transportation of wood pallets (Svedberg et al, 2008), aircraft fuel tank repair (Carlton and Smith, 2000), shielded metal arc welding in an enclosed area (Harris et al, 2005) or work in a vessel of a gas carrier (Lucas et al, 2010).…”

Design and application of a 5 step risk assessment tool for confined space entries

“…An exhaustive analysis of the fatal accidents that have occurred in confined spaces in Quebec also illustrates the major role played by other hazards. For instance, moving parts of machinery count for 20% of the fatalities involving confined spaces, engulfment for 15%, fall from height for 12.5% and falling objects for 12.5% (Burlet-Vienney et al, 2014).…”

“…training, emergency response plan), program implementation (e.g., entry permits), and risk assessment (CSA, 2010;ANSI/ASSE, 2009). Risk management for confined space entries in other countries is described in a literature review by Burlet-Vienney et al where 77 peer-review documents were analyzed (Burlet-Vienney et al, 2014). Several technical guides have been published in Europe and Australia (Health and Safety Executive, 2013;Guilleux and Werlé, 2014;Government of South Australia, 2011) and there is also one standard on confined space management from Australia (Standards Australia, 2001).…”

“…Chinniah (2015) reports the same issues with risk assessment for industrial machines. For example, in most of the fatal confined space accidents in Quebec between 1998 and 2011, the investigation report clearly mentioned a problem with identifying the hazards or underestimating the risks (Burlet-Vienney et al, 2014). Kletz (1998) also reports that many accidents have occurred when people were working inside confined spaces, either because the procedures for entering confined spaces were inadequate or were not enforced.…”