Communication Problems
Communication between the worker inside and the standby person outside is of utmost importance.
If the worker should suddenly feel distressed and not be able to summon help, an injury could become a fatality. Frequently, the body positions that are assumed in a confined space make it difficult for the standby person to detect an unconscious worker. When visual monitoring of the worker is not possible because of the design of the confined space or location of the entry hatch, a voice or alarm-activated explosion proof type of communication system will be necessary.
Excessive Noise Hazards
Noise problems are usually intensified in confined spaces because the interior tends to cause sound to reverberate and thus expose the worker to higher sound levels than those found in an open environment. This intensified noise increases the risk of hearing damage to workers which could result in temporary or permanent loss of hearing. Noise in a confined space which may not be intense enough to cause hearing damage may still disrupt verbal communication with the emergency standby person on the exterior of the confined space. If the workers inside are not able to hear commands or danger signals due to excessive noise, the probability of severe accidents can increase.
If noise levels are high, a hearing conservation program may need to be implemented. Use of tools and equipment may produce high noise levels, which could lead to permanent hearing loss, and often necessitates a hearing conservation program. Some examples of excessively loud operations include:
- use of high-pressure water and steam guns
- abrasive blasting
- needle gunning
- scaling
- grinding
Requirements and Example Solutions:
- hearing protection
- hearing conservation program
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-5. Grinding, abrasive blasting, and using high-pressure hoses in confined spaces may result in _____.
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