Although companies worry about employees who work in tight spaces as part of their regular tasks, it’s necessary for many industries. The biggest challenge is to provide these workers with optimal protection. This is where a solid program for workplace health and safety in Ontario comes into play.
Rather than take unnecessary risks, implementing a sound health and safety program helps mitigate them. This type of program focuses on four critical factors. Those pertain to entering, exiting, and operating in a confined space without sustaining physical injury or death. The second part has to do with providing the workers with ongoing safety and health training.
How Health and Safety Consultants in Ontario Can Help
These experts have outlined the features of a good health and safety program specific to working in confined spaces should cover.
- Entry – Experts start by assessing the entry to a confined space. A worker should never go into cramped quarters without first confirming and disabling fans and any other type of electrically charged machines. As a safety protocol, these machines must remain disabled until the worker completes the job.
- Gathering Air Samples – A program for workplace health and safety in Ontario should also include collecting air samples. Before any worker steps inside a confined space, they need to confirm that no potentially dangerous gases exist. To accomplish that, they should use a multi-gas detector. This device is especially valuable when having difficulty breathing within the space. Many harmful gases such as hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide, and even explosive substances aren’t easily detectable. However, a monitor like this can. It also continuously monitors air pressure.
- Operations – Health and safety consultants in Ontario include operations in the final plan. For instance, this ensures that employees have access to necessary equipment, as well as safety training for confined spaces. It includes pedestrian safety, as well. That means during operations in cramped quarters, there can’t be any bystanders within the designated area. One option is to set up a high-visibility barrier. Navigating the space is yet another component of the health and safety program.
- Exit – This is the fourth factor for workplace health and safety in Ontario. Before going inside a confined space, workers must already have an exit strategy in place. While no one wants to think that something bad could happen, there’s always the possibility that someone will need to exit the space unassisted. Other critical factors include:
- Various types of equipment used for the job can make it difficult to move around
- Management must provide emergency evacuation training to all personnel in the case of entrapment
- Equipment used within a confined space can prevent free movement should someone sustain an injury
- For easier communication with the workers inside of cramped quarters, the company should position an employee outside.
Have an Assessment Done by a Top Health and Safety Consultant in Ontario
When it comes to employees working in confined spaces, a professional assessment is essential. At S.A.F.E. Engineering Inc., we specialize in providing such service, together with advanced training. For a health and safety program that’ll better protect your workers and organization, contact S.A.F.E. Engineering today.
For Technical accurate information, request a free consultation now.
