SCBA Systems & the Dangers of Confined Spaces
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SCBAs are often used in confined spaces or in atmospheres that are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH). |
Lower-priced, high-quality, comfortable SCBA provides reliable protection against hazardous environments
• Open-circuit, positive-pressure SCBA
• Minimal moving parts decreases maintenance
costs and makes model more durable
• Low profile design and light weight of the
mask-mounted regulator minimizes fatigue,
provides unobstructed vision and decreases
the chance of damage
• Exclusive Air Klic fastening system assures quick,
secure installation of the regulator in facepiece
• Silicone facepiece is extremely durable and
comfortable in hot or cold environments
• Weighs 22 lbs. and has a 30-minute cylinder
• Lens has a chemical-resistant, hard anti-scratch
coating on the outside and anti-fog coating
on the inside
• NIOSH Approval #TC-13F-285 |
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Know the Dangers of Confined Spaces |
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What is a confined space?
A confined space is defined as an area that:
• is large enough for a person to occupy
• is difficult to get in and out of
• is designed for only short-term work |
Confined spaces can be found in many places of ag or horticultural operations, such as:
• Silos, grain bins and manure pits • Cold storage rooms
• Well shafts and deep trenches • Hopper rail cars and tank trucks
• Agricultural chemical tanks |
Why confined spaces are dangerous
Unlike other hazards ag/hort workers are faced with, the concern with a confined space is not an injury that a worker can recover from, but a fatality. Confined spaces contain hazards that will not only injure a worker, but will often
take his or her life. This is why precautionary measures such as gas monitoring and ventilating the
space should be taken. |
More specifically, confined spaces are dangerous because:
• Certain gases such as methane may be produced in confined spaces.
These gases displace oxygen in the air you breathe.
• Cold storage rooms often have the oxygen pumped out of them to help preserve foods.
• Gases such as carbon monoxide, methane and hydrogen sulfide may build up to toxic levels.
• Some of these gases are odorless, so you won't even know they are there.
• The buildup of these gases can easily be ignited, causing a fire or an explosion.
• Confined spaces also have many physical hazards. These include falling objects,
wet surfaces, sloping sides and loose material that can break under your weight. |
Protecting you and your workers
Some steps you should take in protecting yourselves and others in confined spaces are to:
Determine what harmful contaminants are present in the confined space. Many confined
spaces have multiple harmful gases.
• Monitor the space for harmful gases and vapors before you decide to go in.
• If harmful gases are present, ventilate the space, then monitor again.
• Monitor continuously any time someone is in the confined space.
• Always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Always turn off, tag and "lockout" any energy sources such as augers or mixing blades so
that no one can restart the equipment and injure a worker in the space.
• Have appropriate rescue procedures in place should something go wrong.
• Have workers who enter the space wear a full-body harness and lifeline so he or she can
be easily rescued from the space without another person having to enter and risk injury.
• If a rescuer does have to enter, make sure he or she has appropriate respiratory protection
like a SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus).
• Have an attendant outside any time someone has entered the space.
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