Duties & Responsibilities Of Confined Space Attendants
Duties & Responsibilities Of Confined Space Attendants
June 21, 2023 |
Confined spaces are areas with limited means of entry and exit, where the risk of a hazardous atmosphere or high pressure poses dangers to workers. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that roughly 5 million confined space entry permits are issued in the United States each year. Confined space attendants must always be present when someone enters a confined space to perform duties such as checking equipment and monitoring conditions inside the space.
This article will cover the duties and responsibilities of confined space attendants so that you understand what is required of them when working in these environments.
Evaluate The Hazards
Confined space attendants must be able to evaluate the hazards in their work environment and take appropriate measures to control those risks. This includes determining whether or not a confined space needs an attendant based on its size and complexity, as well as how many people will be entering it at one time. An attendant may also need to decide if additional precautions are necessary due to weather conditions or other environmental factors outside your control (such as flooding).
Set Up Safe Equipment To Enter The Confined Space
The confined space attendant is responsible for setting up the safety equipment to enter the confined space. If a ladder or man lift is needed, they must be brought in and set up. The attendant should work with others on-site to ensure everything is ready before anyone enters the area.
When setting up equipment for entry into a confined space, you should ensure that it is in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The equipment should also be properly maintained and in good working order. It is important to check that there are no defects or damage on any part of the equipment before using it inside a confined space. You must also ensure that no damage has been caused by overloading or misuse of any part of the system during its previous use by others.
Monitor And Maintain Conditions In The Confined Space
As a confined space attendant, you must monitor and maintain conditions in the confined space. You should check for oxygen levels, temperature, and humidity. You should also look for toxic gases, fire hazards, and dangerous objects such as sharp edges or jagged metal surfaces that could cause injury to anyone who comes into contact with them. Ensure there are no dangerous objects (electrical cables hanging from the ceiling) or other safety hazards that could cause injury if a worker enters the confined space without proper precautions taken first by an attendant like yourself!
Escort Workers Into And Out Of Confined Spaces
As a confined space attendant, you’re responsible for escorting workers into and out of the area. You must ensure the space is safe before allowing anyone to enter it. Once your workers are inside, you must ensure they understand how to work safely in their surroundings. This includes ensuring they have proper protection and training on properly using equipment such as respirators or safety harnesses.
The attendant must be trained on how to properly perform their duties and recognize any hazards in a confined space. For example, if there is an open flame within a confined area, this could pose a severe threat to those nearby.
The training program should include information about the following:
- Confined space entry procedures (how one enters a confined area)
- Hazards associated with entering into or working inside of confinements
- Rescue procedures if someone becomes trapped or injured while inside
Keep Communication With The Control Room
Confined space attendants should be able to communicate with the control room. The control room should be able to contact the confined space attendant if necessary and vice versa.
Additionally, confined space attendants should be able to communicate with other workers in the confined space. This may include telling another worker they need assistance or directing them to perform a specific task (e.g., “Move away from this location so we can open this door”).
Check And Sign Off On The Permit To Work
As a confined space attendant, you must check and sign off on the permit to work before workers enter a confined space. Employers use a permit-to-work document to ensure that their employees are aware of any hazards that could be present in a particular area. It also helps them avoid accidents or injuries by ensuring everyone knows what to do before entering an unsafe environment.
The role of a confined space attendant is very important because you’re responsible for ensuring people’s safety when working inside these areas. This means you must be trained in confined space rescue techniques so that if something goes wrong while someone is inside an unsafe environment (like being trapped), there will be someone who knows how to get him/her out safely.