Confined space cleaning is an aspect of industrial maintenance that ensures safety, compliance, and operational efficiency. However, these challenging environments require specialised skills and knowledge to address their unique hazards.
If you’re thinking of cleaning a confined space yourself, first explore the importance of confined space cleaning, the inherent risks, and why partnering with professional industrial cleaners is a must.
Confined space examples
A confined space is any substantially enclosed area with limited entry and exit points not designed for continuous human occupancy. These spaces often contain hazardous atmospheres, making proper cleaning and maintenance vital for safety and operational efficiency.
These spaces can also pose significant risks to workers due to their different characteristics. Some common examples of confined spaces in the industrial sector include:
- Silos
- Tanks
- Vessels
- Pipelines
- Manholes
- Boilers
- Inside ducts
- Sewers
Confined spaces – what can go wrong?
According to WorkSafe New Zealand, year after year, people die when entering confined spaces to carry out work. In some cases, multiple fatalities occur when would-be rescuers enter the space and become victims themselves. Don’t let this be you or your team member.
Here are some of the hazards that could put you in danger:
Oxygen Deficiency: Confined spaces can have low oxygen levels due to poor ventilation or the presence of other gases.
Toxic Atmospheres: Accumulating hazardous gases like hydrogen sulphide, methane, or carbon monoxide.
Flammable Atmospheres: The presence of flammable gases, vapours, or combustible dust can lead to explosions.
Engulfment: Loose materials or liquids can engulf workers, causing suffocation or drowning.
Physical Hazards: Restricted movement can lead to falls, entrapment, or injury from equipment and structures.
Other hazards include noise, extremes in temperature, radiation, manual handling, and falls.
This shows that it’s vital that those who carry out confined space work are familiar with the standard and have specialist training. The standard follows the approach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA). It requires persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) to:
- Identify the hazards associated with working in a confined space and conduct a risk assessment
- Control the risks posed by the hazards by elimination and minimisation if elimination isn’t reasonably practicable.
Why you need to bring in the professionals
Working in a confined space requires careful planning and training with the correct equipment to operate as safely as possible. Partnering with professional industrial cleaners is essential for several reasons:
Expertise: Professional industrial cleaners have the training and experience to handle the complexities of confined space cleaning. They understand the unique challenges and safety protocols required to mitigate risks effectively.
Safety Compliance: Industrial cleaning companies are well-versed in local and national safety regulations. They ensure that all work is conducted in compliance with standards set by organisations like WorkSafe New Zealand, protecting workers and businesses from legal repercussions.
Specialised Equipment: Advanced equipment designed for confined space cleaning, such as portable ventilation systems, gas detectors, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Efficiency: With their expertise and equipment, industrial cleaners can perform cleaning tasks more efficiently, minimising downtime and ensuring that facilities remain operational.
How we train our team in confined spaces
At Rapid Facilities, we prioritise safety and quality in all our industrial and commercial cleaning services. Our team undergoes rigorous training to ensure they are equipped to handle confined space cleaning effectively. Our training program includes:
Comprehensive Safety Training: All team members receive extensive training on the hazards of confined spaces, safety protocols, and emergency procedures.
Equipment Handling: Training on using specialised equipment, including gas detectors, ventilation systems, and PPE.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring our team is up-to-date with the latest safety regulations and best practices from WorkSafe New Zealand.
Regular Drills and Assessments: Conduct regular drills and assessments to maintain a high level of preparedness and competence.
Our commitment to training ensures that our team can safely and efficiently handle any confined space cleaning task, providing peace of mind to our clients.
Need professional confined space cleaning? Work with us
If your industrial facility requires confined space cleaning, work with experienced professionals you can trust. We have the expertise, equipment, and commitment to safety needed to tackle these challenging environments.
From silos to ducts, we address all concerns relating to industrial and commercial premises. Whatever the industry and whatever the job, we offer teams of highly trained, efficient, and safety-conscious professionals who will get the job done right, the first time.
Contact us today to learn more about our confined space cleaning services and how we can help maintain the safety and efficiency of your operations.
Don’t compromise on safety – choose Rapid Facilities for your confined space cleaning needs. Give us a call today and let us know how we can help!
