Confined spaces are high risk workplaces that can easily result in multiple deaths. The challenge in managing confined space is the fact that the space might become high risk only when activities are conducted within the space. Without the activities contaminants or oxygen levels might not be at dangerous levels. For example see this case,
Safety Technology / Hazard - Confined Space
Oxygen enriched environment
Oxygen is necessary for human beings to breathe, but it pose a hazard if it is in excess of its usual component in the environment (21%). Oxygen is not easily detected by our senses and when there are leaks in oxygen hoses in an environment, especially a confined space, the space can become oxygen enriched easily.
Workers overcome by Perchloroethylene (PCE)
Ministry of Manpower just released an OSH Alert on an incident where six workers were affected by PCE. It was not very clear, but it appears that two workers went into the confined space (most probably) which was not ventilated after cleaning using PCE. One worker fainted and the other managed to climb out to get help.
