24 Questions
What does the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of Britain consider a confined space?
Any enclosed place with a reasonably foreseeable specified risk
According to OSHA in the US, what is a key characteristic of a confined space?
Limited or restricted means of entry or exit
What is NOT considered a 'specified risk' in confined spaces according to the text?
Continuous oxygen supply leading to overexertion
Which of the following is NOT an example of a confined space mentioned in the text?
Unrestricted workspace
What defines whether a space is considered a confined space by OSHA in the US?
Limited or restricted means of entry or exit
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a potential risk in a confined space according to the text?
Inhalation of oxygen-rich gas
What is a leading cause of death among workers entering confined spaces?
Oxygen deficiency
How can oxygen deficiency be detected in a confined space?
By testing the air
What causes oxygen deficiency in confined spaces?
Combustion reactions
What level of oxygen is considered the minimum acceptable level?
19.5%
What are the early symptoms associated with oxygen levels between 15-19%?
Impaired coordination, poor judgment
What can lead to mental failure, fainting, nausea, and unconsciousness in a confined space?
Oxygen levels between 8-10%
What is a characteristic of a permit-required confined space?
Might cause an entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated
Which of the following is considered as an entry into a confined space?
When any part of a person's body crosses the plane of an opening
In what types of enclosures does natural air circulation get restricted due to depth?
Enclosures with depths of 1.5 meters (5 feet) or more
Which of the following is an example of a confined space based on the provided text?
Water reservoirs
What is one characteristic that defines a permit-required confined space?
Presence of a hazardous atmosphere
When does a confined space entry occur according to the text?
When any part of a person's body crosses the opening plane
What is the percentage of possible recovery if a person is exposed to a toxic atmosphere for 4-5 minutes?
4-6%
Which toxic gas is known for its rotten egg odor at low concentrations?
Hydrogen Sulfide
What is the critical factor listed for a flammable/explosive atmosphere in a confined space?
Oxygen content in the air
Which gas is known to quickly collapse at high concentrations?
Carbon Monoxide
What causes too much oxygen in an atmosphere to greatly increase the risk of fire or explosion in a confined space?
Causes materials to burn violently when ignited
Which toxic gas displaces oxygen and can lead to asphyxiation?
Argon (Ar)
Study Notes
Confined Space Definition
- A confined space is any place, including chambers, tanks, vats, pits, trenches, pipes, sewers, flues, wells, or other similar spaces, that arises a reasonably foreseeable specified risk due to its enclosed nature.
- It is not designed for continuous occupancy by the employee and has a limited or restricted means of entry or exit.
Specified Risk
- Serious injury to any person at work arising from a fire or explosion.
- Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation of any person at work arising from gas, fume, vapour or the lack of oxygen.
- Drowning of any person at work arising from an increase in the level of liquid.
- Asphyxiation of any person at work arising from a free flowing solid or the inability to reach a respirable environment due to entrapment by a free flowing solid.
Confined Space Hazards and Risks
- Oxygen deficiency: a leading cause of death among workers entering confined spaces.
- Oxygen-enriched atmosphere: above 23.5% oxygen, increases the risk of fire or explosion.
- Flammable/explosive atmospheres: critical factors include oxygen content, presence of flammable gas or vapor, and presence of dust.
- Toxic atmospheres: gases released when cleaning, materials absorbed into walls, or decomposition of materials.
- Temperature extremes: hot or cold environments.
- Physical hazards: noise, slip, trip, falls, falling objects, equipment, electrical.
Oxygen Deficiency
- Causes: oxygen is used up when metals rust, during combustion, or when replaced by other gases.
- Effects: brain damage, heart stoppage, decreased ability to work strenuously, impaired coordination, early symptoms.
- Oxygen levels:
- 19.5%: minimum acceptable oxygen level.
- 15-19%: decreased ability to work strenuously, impaired coordination, early symptoms.
- 12-14%: respiration increases, poor judgment.
- 10-12%: respiration increases, lips blue.
- 8-10%: mental failure, fainting, nausea, unconsciousness.
- 6-8%: vomiting, 8 minutes - fatal, 6 minutes - 50% fatal, 4-5 minutes - possible recovery.
- 4-6%: coma in 40 seconds, death.
- 3%: death.
Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS)
- Has one or more of these characteristics:
- Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere.
- Contains a material with the potential to engulf someone who enters the space.
- Has an internal configuration that might cause an entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated.
- Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazards.
Confined Space Entry
- Considered to have occurred when any part of a person's body crosses the plane of an opening into the space.
- Two questions to ask before entering:
- Is confined space entry always necessary for this task?
- Is it possible to complete the task from the outside?
Test your knowledge of confined space safety regulations and definitions based on Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines from Britain. The quiz covers the definition of confined spaces, specified risks, and measures to prevent serious injuries at work.
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