The first thing you need to understand is that working in confined spaces is incredibly difficult but can also be quite dangerous. Even though the dangers are obvious to everyone and may even result in a fatality, the truth is that. For one to perform this safely, one must undergo confined space training. Still, the concept of safety is quite broad and may involve several things. So, although safety is a primary objective of any confined space training, here are some of the factors that this safety is constituted of. It might explain why confined space training may be even more important than you think.
1. Better awareness
In a confined space, every move you make matters. This is why developing a better awareness makes such a big difference. The only way to get to this higher efficiency and better awareness is to invest heavily in training. Just think about it, in your own home, even in the dark, you will know your way around. The way you got there is through endless repetition. You know the distance to your bathroom by heart even if you can’t outright say how many steps it takes. A similar principle can be applied to being in tight spaces.
2. You’re on your own
Once you’re in a confined space, you’re in charge of your safety. According to some reports on confined space incidents, about 85% of the time a supervisor was present. So, it’s not about having someone to warn you not to be reckless. Moreover, 95% of these entries were sanctioned by the supervisor. Does that make them responsible? Not in the slightest. It’s about what you do and it’s your life that’s on the line. The most horrifying statistic is the one regarding the rescuers, many of whom have lost their lives during the rescue.
3. Being aware of the dangers
One of the first steps in avoiding danger lies in recognizing danger, to begin with. What does this mean? Well, not all confined spaces are obvious. The classification of a confined space may vary and the riskiest thing you can do is enter a confined space without recognizing it for what it is. After all, why would you act as if you were in a confined space if you aren’t even aware that you’re in one? The first step in avoiding a trap is knowing there is one, to begin with. Confined space training will raise your alertness to acceptable levels.
4. Understanding the risks
When talking about the risk of working in a confined space, a lot of people have trouble understanding what exactly this entails. Sure, it seems risky from the get-go but is there a risk of asphyxiation arising from free-flowing solids? Is there a risk of a loss of consciousness or drowning? What about the rising temperature? Understanding each of these risks is a huge factor in avoiding the worst possible outcome. The training is not meant to frighten you, instead, it’s supposed to put you in a spot where you understand what to watch out for, what to prepare for, and even how to escape.
5. It’s great value for time and money
This type of training raises safety, lowers risks, and improves productivity, regardless of the situation that you’re in. The truth is that while confined space training needs to be repeated from time to time, it doesn’t take nearly as much time as you would think. It’s also quite inexpensive, not just relatively speaking, seeing as how the total cost of the course won’t put a dent in your budget. In other words, there’s no reason to avoid this training. If anything, the confidence gained will drastically reduce the fear and even keep your employees happier.
In conclusion
At the end of the day, confined space training saves lives and prevents accidents. On its own, this explanation is a common-sense one and justifies any amount (or cost) of training. Once you add the fact that this training is accessible, inexpensive, and quick-paced, you’ll leave people who underestimate its importance completely without arguments. In other words, there’s no downside to insisting on confined space training for all your employees. It saves lives and protects your company formation from some of the most damaging liabilities out there.
