Working in confined spaces

Working in confined spaces, such as vaults, tanks and wells, is often associated with challenging rescue situations. Confined spaces and small openings can make access difficult, while exposing the worker to risks such as insufficient ventilation and air that is harmful to health. To avoid this, we offer equipment adapted to work in confined spaces, services and relevant training.

Filter

Equipment for working in confined spaces

To climb and be hoisted in confined spaces, you need the right equipment, training and access to emergency rescue. Here we go through the equipment needed to make your work as easy as possible.

To be hoisted in a harness

Being hoisted in a harness, whether for work in confined spaces or other situations, involves a number of important safety requirements that must be met to minimise risks. In order to be hoisted, you need to be connected to the winch and the safety hooks of the fall arrest block. When you are hoisted up or down with the hoist winch, the wire rope of the fall arrest block is automatically deployed, and if you fall or the winch crashes, the fall arrest block will lock immediately. The rescue winch on the fall arrest block is only used in emergencies.

In order to climb

Climbing and working in confined spaces requires careful planning and strict safety procedures, especially when ascending and descending. To work safely, you need an approved and weight-appropriate full body harness with D-rings, a certified fall arrest block with wire and automatic locking function, as well as a hoisting winch and rescue winch. It is also important to ensure that all equipment is in good condition before starting work. In addition, the work should always be supervised by a person trained to intervene and rescue you in case of an accident.

Rescue in case of confined labour

As mentioned, it is important that climbers have the possibility to be rescued on site if a dangerous or challenging work situation arises. That's why at Personligt Fallskydd we offer a wide range of rescue equipment for work in confined spaces. In any work situation, it is also important to have an emergency plan in place, which is why we also offer risk analysis services to minimise accidents as much as possible.

Risk analysis and contingency plans

Industries where work in confined spaces is common

Confined space work occurs in industries where there is a need to inspect, maintain or clean spaces with limited access and ventilation.

These include the water and wastewater sector, industries with tanks and cisterns, energy production, construction, and the transport and logistics sector, where cargo holds and silos need to be checked and serviced. The process industry, food industry and property management also often need it in areas such as boilers, culverts, basins and wells.

Training - Working in confined spaces

To work in confined spaces, you also need relevant training that gives you knowledge about safe working and rescue. Through our parent company ProAccess, we offer two different training programmes in this area - one for work in tanks and similar, and one for work in wells and other underground spaces where there is a health risk due to dangerous gases.

Without the right fall protection, rescue operations can be both more difficult and more dangerous for everyone involved, which is why it is also essential that anyone working in or supervising these workplaces has completed relevant training. Our courses teach you how to climb safely, assess risks, use equipment correctly, and act effectively in an emergency - all of which will reduce the risk of serious accidents and, most importantly, save lives.

All training programmes

Laws on work in confined spaces (AFS)

The Swedish Work Environment Authority also imposes a number of requirements on work in confined spaces. The laws that apply to this work are:

Hazardous atmosphere in enclosed spaces

Hazardous atmospheres can rapidly develop in enclosed spaces where there are chemical or microbiological hazards and where air circulation is restricted. This increases the risk of serious accidents such as poisoning, asphyxiation, fire or explosion. Therefore, it is particularly important that you and your colleagues plan and carry out a thorough risk assessment before working in a hazardous environment.

The most common risks when working in hazardous atmospheres are

  • Nitrogenisation due to low oxygen levels.
  • Poisoning of toxic or asphyxiating gases
  • fire caused by flammable gases and liquids.
  • Explosion due to flammable gases, liquids or dust.

Fall arrest makes it easier to evacuate quickly and safely in the event of an accident in a hazardous atmosphere, for example if someone loses consciousness due to gas or lack of oxygen. With the right harness and rescue equipment, the victim can be quickly hoisted out of the space without endangering others.

Frequently asked questions about working in confined spaces

  • What is classed as an enclosed space?

  • A confined space is an inaccessible area that is not designed for people to spend long periods of time in. It often has limited access, usually through small openings, and poor ventilation that makes it difficult to create a safe working environment. Examples include tanks, cisterns, silos, wells, tunnels, culverts and cargo areas.

  • What are the most common hazards when working in confined spaces?

  • The most common hazards are lack of oxygen, presence of toxic or explosive gases, risk of entrapment, difficulty of evacuation, risk of falling, risk of slipping and falling, and risk of entrapment in case of sudden rise of water or equipment failure. Chemical and microbiological hazards may also be present depending on the use of the space.

  • How to increase safety when working in confined spaces?

  • Start with a thorough risk assessment, and make sure you use the right equipment, such as harnesses, fall arrest blocks, gas detectors and respirators. Always work in teams and with a person supervising outside. Check ventilation, secure your surroundings and have a clear rescue plan. In addition to this, it is vital that all staff on site have relevant training and are familiar with all rescue and safety procedures.

Contact us

If you need help choosing equipment for your work, you are welcome to contact us. We have extensive experience and knowledge of what it takes to work safely in confined spaces. Contact us if you have any questions or are interested in equipment, training or rescue services.

Contact us