Page 86 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

The City & Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1

What are the risks of working in confined spaces?

Every year, a number of people are killed or seriously injured working in confined
spaces in the construction industry, from those involving complex plant to
unventilated or poorly ventilated rooms.

Those killed include not only people working in the confined space but those
who try to help them without the proper training and equipment. Dangers occur
because of:

● lack of oxygen
● poisonous gas, fumes or vapour
● liquids and solids suddenly filling the space
● fire and explosions
● residues left behind, which may give off fumes, vapour or gas
● poor lighting conditions
● hot working conditions.

Legal duties and obligations relating to working in
confined spaces

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require that
a suitable assessment of the risks for all work activities is carried out so that
decisions can be made as to what measures are necessary for safety.

For work in confined spaces, this means identifying the hazards present,
assessing the risks and determining what precautions to take. In most cases the
assessment will include consideration of:

● the task
● the working environment
● tools and materials
● the suitability of those carrying out the task, including pre-existing medical
conditions
● the risk of lone working (if relevant)
● arrangements for emergency rescue.

SUMMARY

It is no coincidence that this chapter is the longest in the book, such is the
importance of health and safety in the modern construction industry. We, as
plumbers and apprentices, have a duty of care towards ourselves, those we
work with and those we come into contact with. The ultimate responsibility of
how we behave, how we work and how we respond to accidents and incidents
rests with us. By taking notice of health and safety and following the rules
that are in place to safeguard us, we too can reduce the likelihood of accidents
and, ultimately, save lives. The key message that we must always remember is:
health and safety is everyone’s responsibility.

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