idental injury and death related to working in and near a confined space often occurs as a result of standby and rescue. One important construction safety precaution is assigning a “standby” person whose only two duties is keeping in constant contact with the construction workers inside the confined space and then alerting the appropriate person or team in case of emergency.

However, over half of all construction workers who die in a confined space were trying to rescue a teammate

Some examples of construction site confined spaces are sewers, trenches, pits, and storage tanks. Confined spaces generally have limited options for entry and exit as well as poor ventilation and air circulation, which is linked to hazardous atmospheres.

The lack of natural ventilation and air movement stems from hazardous atmospheres, which is a major construction safety and health issue for workers in confined spaces. There are three major hazardous atmospheres that present a construction safety concern in confined spaces of which constructions must become aware: oxygen-deficient, toxic, and flammable. In order to determine if the atmosphere in a confined area is hazardous; and, if so, which type of hazard it represents, thorough testing of the entire confined area (the bottom, middle, and top) must be administered.

Oxygen-deficient atmospheres in confined spaces have less than 19.5 percent available oxygen, which means no persons should ever enter without the appropriate protective gear, which in this case is an approved self-contained breathing apparatus, or an airline respirator with an escape self-contained breathing apparatus.

Atmospheres in confined spaces can also be toxic, which is another construction safety hazard. A toxic atmosphere often occurs as a result of materials used in the confined space, including paints, solvents, cleaners, and welding fumes. An atmosphere can also become toxic from residue buildup from materials stored in the confined space. Appropriate protective breathing masks should be worn to avoid breathing in the toxic fumes.

Flammable atmospheres can also present a potential safety hazard for construction workers in confined spaces. When a type of flammable gas, dust, or vapor develops in the air at certain concentrations in a confined space, the atmosphere becomes officially “flammable.” Workers must use appropriate gear in flammable atmospheres in confined spaces.

Accidental injury and death related to working in and near a confined space often occurs as a result of standby and rescue. One important construction safety precaution is assigning a “standby” person whose only two duties is keeping in constant contact with the construction workers inside the confined space and then alerting the appropriate person or team in case of emergency.

However, over half of all construction workers who die in a confined space were trying to rescue a teammate

nstruction safety concern in confined spaces of which constructions must become aware: oxygen-deficient, toxic, and flammable. In order to determine if the atmosphere in a confined area is hazardous; and, if so, which type of hazard it represents, thorough testing of the entire confined area (the bottom, middle, and top) must be administered.

Oxygen-deficient atmospheres in confined spaces have less than 19.5 percent available oxygen, which means no persons should ever enter without the appropriate protective gear, which in this case is an approved self-contained breathing apparatus, or an airline respirator with an escape self-contained breathing apparatus.

Atmospheres in confined spaces can also be toxic, which is another construction safety hazard. A toxic atmosphere often occurs as a result of materials used in the confined space, including paints, solvents, cleaners, and welding fumes. An atmosphere can also become toxic from residue buildup from materials stored in the confined space. Appropriate protective breathing masks should be worn to avoid breathing in the toxic fumes.

Flammable atmospheres can also present a potential safety hazard for construction workers in confined spaces. When a type of flammable gas, dust, or vapor develops in the air at certain concentrations in a confined space, the atmosphere becomes officially “flammable.” Workers must use appropriate gear in flammable atmospheres in confined spaces.

Accidental injury and death related to working in and near a confined space often occurs as a result of standby and rescue. One important construction safety precaution is assigning a “standby” person whose only two duties is keeping in constant contact with the construction workers inside the confined space and then alerting the appropriate person or team in case of emergency.

However, over half of all construction workers who die in a confined space were trying to rescue a teammate

ut the appropriate protective gear, which in this case is an approved self-contained breathing apparatus, or an airline respirator with an escape self-contained breathing apparatus.

Atmospheres in confined spaces can also be toxic, which is another construction safety hazard. A toxic atmosphere often occurs as a result of materials used in the confined space, including paints, solvents, cleaners, and welding fumes. An atmosphere can also become toxic from residue buildup from materials stored in the confined space. Appropriate protective breathing masks should be worn to avoid breathing in the toxic fumes.

Flammable atmospheres can also present a potential safety hazard for construction workers in confined spaces. When a type of flammable gas, dust, or vapor develops in the air at certain concentrations in a confined space, the atmosphere becomes officially “flammable.” Workers must use appropriate gear in flammable atmospheres in confined spaces.

Accidental injury and death related to working in and near a confined space often occurs as a result of standby and rescue. One important construction safety precaution is assigning a “standby” person whose only two duties is keeping in constant contact with the construction workers inside the confined space and then alerting the appropriate person or team in case of emergency.

However, over half of all construction workers who die in a confined space were trying to rescue a teammate

ials stored in the confined space. Appropriate protective breathing masks should be worn to avoid breathing in the toxic fumes.

Flammable atmospheres can also present a potential safety hazard for construction workers in confined spaces. When a type of flammable gas, dust, or vapor develops in the air at certain concentrations in a confined space, the atmosphere becomes officially “flammable.” Workers must use appropriate gear in flammable atmospheres in confined spaces.

Accidental injury and death related to working in and near a confined space often occurs as a result of standby and rescue. One important construction safety precaution is assigning a “standby” person whose only two duties is keeping in constant contact with the construction workers inside the confined space and then alerting the appropriate person or team in case of emergency.

However, over half of all construction workers who die in a confined space were trying to rescue a teammate

idental injury and death related to working in and near a confined space often occurs as a result of standby and rescue. One important construction safety precaution is assigning a “standby” person whose only two duties is keeping in constant contact with the construction workers inside the confined space and then alerting the appropriate person or team in case of emergency.

However, over half of all construction workers who die in a confined space were trying to rescue a teammate in an unplanned and instinctive manner. The assigned standby and other workers in the confined space should never attempt an instinctive but unplanned rescue of a co-worker in danger. Always, always wait for the emergency person or team.

It may also be helpful to consult any construction safety manuals you may have regarding working in confined spaces to help you learn to anticipate potential problems and hazards and take the necessary steps to prevent them from occurring or to react swiftly and properly in the event that a crisis or catastrophe occurs.