Book: Health & Safety Overview Health & Safety Overview
Chapter: 5. Other environmental hazards
Section: Confined spaces
Metadata: Details Buy this book

These are dealt with specifically by the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997. They can be extremely dangerous because of unstable structures, cramped working conditions, the difficulty of moving injured parties and the possible build-up of explosive or harmful gases, like exhaust fumes which contain oxides of carbon and nitrogen, lead compounds, oil mists, unburnt hydrocarbons and a variety of harmful particles.

  • Do not normally allow volunteers to work if the degree of confinement appears to pose any hazard at all.
  • Where a project is planned to take place in a confined space (e.g. a tunnel or cave) a 'Permit to Work' must be sought from a competent, responsible person of the organisation carrying out the work before it starts.

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