Posted By naomi
Afternoon,
I'm hoping some-one can give me some pointers on producing a risk assessment for a confined space.

One of our Managers has to go down into a underfloor duct to price up a job, he is not conducting any works just a visual check of the area.
He was stopped the previous day from entering as we had not produced a risk assessment.
I am not sure what to put in the risk assessment.
The underfloor duct consists of telephone wires,computer cables, electric cables, water pipes, steam pipes.
I am not looking at the risk assessment for working in the confined space, just to inspect the area.
The area is approx 3ft Square, 150 ft.

Thank you in advance
Naomi

Posted By stevehaigh

tRY tHIS

http://www.web-safety.co...documentation/permit.doc

Posted By Adam Worth
As said above it's not really a proper confined space but still if it's hard to get of it needs some special consideration.

What is a confined space?

i>It can be any space of an enclosed nature where there is a risk of death or serious injury from hazardous substances or dangerous conditions (eg lack of oxygen).
/i>

In terms of risk assessment you just need to extend on the normal stuff. Use a standard form and consider the HSEs 5 steps

TO QUOTE my Emergency Response Team presentation -

i>"You must carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks for all work activities for the purpose of deciding what measures are necessary for safety (The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 3). For work in confined spaces this means identifying the hazards present, assessing the risks and determining what precautions to take. In most cases the assessment will include consideration of:
the task;
the working environment;
working materials and tools;
the suitability of those carrying out the task;
arrangements for emergency rescue/i>

Just a few quick other points to get you going

Does he really need to go in? As said above could a camera be used - if no then

How is going to gain safe access and egress (Ladder etc)

What are the additional hazards of him being in such a small space? i.e. contact with services etc

How are you going to get him out / raise the alarm if things go wrong? He could simply faint or panic! Harness standby man?

From thew above consider the individual - is he fit to go in? No claustrophobia etc :)

The list goes on but that should get you going

I hope that helps

Posted By Helen C
Hi,

Some more thoughts Iin addition to those raised above) - don't know if they are relevant....

- What is the temperature in the duct, i.e. how well lagged are the steam pipes - possible heat exhaustion, particularly if your operative is crawling, wearing PPE etc.

- What is the likelihood of cables or other services being damaged? Risk to company etc?

- Are there any piped gases?

- Consider rats and other vermin, in my experience they love nice warm service ducts!

- Is the operative entering the duct medically fit and able to crawl that distance easily?

- If access is via ladder, consider use of fall arrest and recovery devices.

Good luck