Best Practices for Working in Confined Spaces on Barges
Confined spaces on barges include areas such as voids, tanks, pump rooms, and engine compartments. These spaces are not designed for continuous occupancy and often have limited entry and exit points. While many hazards in confined spaces involve air quality and toxic gases, there are also non-atmospheric hazards that can cause serious injury or death if not properly controlled.
Non-atmospheric hazards include risks such as slips, trips, and falls, moving machinery, electrical shock, mechanical entrapment, and engulfment by loose materials. Working in these spaces requires careful planning and attention to safety procedures to protect workers from physical injury.
To reduce the risk of injury when working in confined spaces on barges, the following best practices must be followed:
- Conduct a thorough hazard assessment: Before entering any confined space, identify all potential hazards, including moving parts, stored energy, and materials that could shift or collapse.
- Use mechanical lockout/tagout procedures: Lock and tag all equipment that could move or start during entry to prevent mechanical entrapment or injury.
- Secure all loose materials: Remove or secure any stored materials that could fall, shift, or engulf a worker during entry or while working inside the space.
- Install guardrails or barriers: Use temporary barriers or railings at entry points to prevent accidental falls into the space.
- Use proper lighting: Ensure the confined space is well lit to help workers see hazards and navigate safely.
- Ensure proper communication: Workers inside the confined space must stay in contact with a trained attendant outside who can monitor conditions and call for help if needed.
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE): Depending on the task, this may include hard hats, gloves, fall protection, and protective clothing to prevent injury from machinery or sharp surfaces.
- Have an emergency rescue plan in place: A detailed plan must be developed and communicated before entry. Rescue equipment must be ready and available in case of an emergency.
By following these best practices, workers can stay safe while performing tasks in confined spaces and reduce the risks associated with non-atmospheric hazards on barges.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-5. A worker is assigned to clean a tank inside a barge. What should be done before entry to prevent mechanical entrapment?
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