Confined Space Awareness — poster
Tanks, vaults, manholes, crawl spaces — confined spaces kill about 100 US workers a year, and 60% of the victims are would-be RESCUERS who went in after a downed coworker. The air that dropped the first person is still in there.
Oxygen deficiency and many toxic gases have no odor. Never trust your nose — the space must be tested with a calibrated gas meter before entry, and monitored while you work.
Permit-required spaces need authorization, testing, ventilation, an attendant outside, and a rescue plan BEFORE entry. No permit, no entry — even “just to grab a tool.”
If something goes wrong, the attendant calls rescue and monitors — going in after the victim usually creates a second victim. Non-entry rescue (retrieval line and tripod) is the standard.
Isolate connected pipes, LOTO powered equipment inside, and keep ignition sources out until the atmosphere is verified safe.
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