NIOSH Publications on Confined Spaces:
Worker Deaths in Confined Spaces
(DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 94-103) January 1994.
This publication provides a summary of surveillance findings and the
full text of 70 investigative case reports from 70 incidents in which 109
workers died. These incidents and investigations occurred between
December 1983 and September 1993.
A Guide to Safety in Confined
Spaces (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 87-113) July 1987.
This manual provides information on recognition of confined
spaces and their hazards, and specific safe work practices
for testing, monitoring, and ventilating the atmosphere; isolation
of energy sources (lockout-tagout); respirators; standby/rescue;
and addressing general physical hazards such as temperature
extremes, engulfment hazards, slick surfaces, and noise. A
checklist for confined space entry is appended.
NIOSH Alert:
Request for Assistance in Preventing Occupational Fatalities
in Confined Spaces (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub.No. 86-110) January 1986.
This publication emphasizes the hazards faced by workers
and rescuers who enter confined spaces. It provides summary
case reports of eight fatal incidents that were investigated
under the Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE)
program. The report concludes that in each case there was
lack of recognition of the hazards; lack of testing, evaluation,
and monitoring; and lack of planned rescue procedures. The
Alert provides recommendations for addressing these problems.
Criteria for a Recommended Standard:
Working in Confined Spaces (DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 80-106)
September 1979.
This publication outlines a classifiction system for confined
spaces (Class A-Immediately Dangerous to Life/Health (IDLH);
Class B-dangerous, but not IDLH; Class C-potentially hazardous).
It provides a checklist of factors to consider for each class,
and provides information on establishing a permit-based entry
system, testing and monitoring the atmosphere in a confined
space, safe work procedures, and safety equipment and clothing.
Other specific topics covered include ventilation, lockout-tagout,
rescue, and training.
Fatality Investigation Reports
(conducted under the FACE Program)
One of the initial emphasis areas for the FACE program was confined
space-related fatalities. Since the inception of the FACE program in
1982, 132 fatal incidents involving confined space entry and rescue
efforts have been investigated by NIOSH and State investigators. This
link provides a list of those cases which in turn links to the full-text
reports on the FACEWeb.
Other pages of interest:
OSHA
Technical Link on Confined Spaces
American National Standards Institute
The National Safety Council
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