Health and Safety ReportVolume 4, Issue 6 - June 2006

Workers sometimes have to enter spaces that were not designed for humans at all. Silos, vats, hoppers, utility vaults, tanks, sewers, pipes, aircraft wings and other "confined spaces" may be difficult to exit and are often fraught with hazards.

They may lack oxygen and contain poisonous substances, making it dangerous for the worker to breathe. Sometimes, explosive or flammable gases accumulate in confined spaces without the worker realizing it, and could cause a fire or explosion if ignited. Confined spaces may be very hot or very cold, offer limited visibility, and contain various other physical, chemical, biological or electrical hazards.

Each year, workers are injured or killed while working in confined spaces. Of particular concern are the poisonous gases in some confined spaces that can kill a person without warning. Hydrogen sulfide, for example, may be impossible to detect since at high concentrations, it reduces the person's ability to smell the tell-tale rotten egg odour of this gas. Too often the victim count is increased because someone has entered a confined space in an attempt to save a co-worker who has fallen unconscious or is in some other danger. These would-be rescuers often succumb to the hazardous conditions themselves, and represent an estimated 60 percent of fatalities in confined spaces. Such was the case in the recent fatalities at the Sullivan lead-zinc Mine in British Columbia in which 2 of the 4 dead were paramedics.

Before entering a workspace, workers should stop to consider whether or not it is a confined space:

• an enclosed or partially enclosed space that has restricted entrance or exit, and hazardous substances or conditions
  
• not primarily intended for human occupancy
  
• can be below or above ground
  
• confined spaces can be found in almost any workplace
  
• despite its name, a confined space is not necessarily small

If it is a confined space, the company should consider doing the work outside of that space, if at all possible.

The air within a confined space should be tested before a person enters. The testing is done from outside of the confined space. A trained worker, using appropriate detection equipment, samples the air throughout the confined space. Before a person enters, the air testing should show a safe amount of oxygen, and absence of any toxic or flammable gas. If the space cannot be made safe, no person should enter.

Working in a confined space requires special training. For example it also requires a good understanding of gas monitoring, ventilation systems, fire and explosion prevention, equipment lockout, and a thorough knowledge of the worksite's specific hazards.

More information from CCOHS on how to develop a confined space health and safety program

Read more about managing the risks from confined spaces

Read the CHEMINFO record for specific hazards of Hydrogen Sulphide

CCOHS' e-courses: Confined Space: The Basics and Confined Spaces Management

Workers in occupations that involve blasting are at risk of being struck by pieces of rock. This hazard, commonly known as "flyrock," is inherent to blasting but must be properly controlled. Without appropriate safety measures in place, the rocks can travel significant distances and pose a threat to people in the area.

After serious incidents or near misses involving flyrock in recent years, investigations pointed to several causes: an excess of explosives in the blast holes; inadequate blast design; an incomplete or poor hazard assessment prior to blasting; failure to properly check placement of the hole or geological changes in the rock mass; and no clear lines of responsibility and supervision on the job site.

The government of Nova Scotia has issued a hazard alert that suggests preventive measures for blasters, which include the following:

• Ensure blast holes are loaded with the right amount of explosives;
  
• Consider all parameters, including adequate burden, in the blast design;
  
• Before blasting, perform a complete hazard assessment;
  
• Check all hole placements and look into geological changes of the rock mass;
  
• Ensure that anyone associated with the blasting activity is properly trained.

In another alert, New Brunswick's Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) warns industry workers of the hazards in cable-pulling operations. A 59-year-old electrician in the province sustained a fatal head injury while using a friction tugger to pull electrical cable.

There must always be two people present during a cable-pulling operation. In this case, however, one of the two people assigned to operate the friction tugger was sent to perform another task. The employee who was left alone operated the tugger, pulling the rope to take up the slack in the cable, and then shut off the tugger. Investigators believe that when the potential energy in the rope was released, the rope caught the victim's hand and pulled him forward toward the tugger, striking his head on the tugger.

Anyone working involved in cable-pulling should be aware of, and know how to recognize, the potential energy stored in the rope. A cable-pulling operation requires two people - one to pull the rope, and the other to operate the on/off switch of the tugger and the radio. The incident described above could have been prevented if the victim hadn't been alone. Certain safety features could have also helped, such as a swivel device to prevent the rope from twisting and kinking, and a side roller on the tugger, which allows operators to stand to the side of it and out of the path of the rope.

Read the alerts:

Nova Scotia Government: preventive measures for controlling flyrock


WHSCC: safety in cable-pulling operations

The cooling benefits of a swimming pool on a hot summer day are second to none. What makes pool water so refreshingly clear and inviting however, is a cocktail of disinfectants and sanitizers. Many of these chemicals are chlorine-based, depending on the system you use. It's important to be aware of potential chemical hazards when using or storing these products at work or at home.

Two main types of chlorine-based chemicals are used in pools: organic (i.e. sodium dichlorocyanurate) and inorganic (i.e. calcium hypochlorite). Organic and inorganic chlorinating agents are not compatible with each other and must never be mixed together. Often people get hurt when using the same scoop or pail for both chemicals without cleaning them, or when adding one product after the other or in the pool chlorinator. Mixing or cross-contamination of these chemicals can form an explosive mixture.

Many swimming pool chemicals such as chlorine, are oxidizers. They have the potential to cause a fire or explosion. Some pool chemicals may also be corrosive and can chemically destroy body tissues on contact. The damage begins as soon as the chemical touches the skin, eyes, respiratory tract or digestive tract.

When using swimming pool chemicals, follow these safety tips:

Handling pool chemicals

• Read and follow instructions carefully.
  
• Keep containers closed when not in use.
  
• For transferring or measuring chemicals, always use a separate scoop for each chemical, and use clean metal or plastic scoops (not wood).
  
• Wear appropriate protective equipment and clothing, including gloves and footwear as needed, and always wash your hands after handling chemicals.
  
• Keep moisture away from the chemicals - although these chemicals are meant to be added to large quantities of pool water, never add water to the chemicals unless instructed to do so on the container label. This may result in the release of corrosive chlorine gas. Protect these chemicals from accidental contact with rainwater and wet floors/decks.

What not to do:

• Never use the contents of unlabeled containers, mix different chemicals together, or put spilled chemicals back into their containers.
  
• Don't mix old chemicals with new chemicals, even if they are the same chemical.
  
• Don't smoke near chemicals or expose them to heat or flame.
  
• Do not touch undiluted chemicals with your hands.
  
• Do not reuse a container after emptying it. Always wash it out and dispose of it.

Storing pool chemicals

• Keep the chemicals out of the reach of children and pets.
  
• Store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from sunlight, and in their original containers.
  
• Do not store chemicals above your head.
  
• It is important to keep in mind that certain chemicals react with others. Keep oxidizers away from acids to prevent the oxidizers from releasing chlorine gas.
  
• Do not store liquids on shelves that are above powders or solids.
  
• Keep all pool chemicals away from gasoline, fertilizers, herbicides, grease, paints, tile cleaners, turpentine, or flammable materials, especially if you store your pool chemicals in a shed or small storage room.

Following these safety tips will help keep you in the swim this summer - safe and sound!

Visit OSH Answers for further information on the safe use of swimming pool chemicals

For the first time, governmental and non-governmental organizations have partnered to pool together their health information resources online. The result is the Canadian Health Network (CHN) website, a comprehensive source of health promotion and injury prevention information for Canadians. With up-to-date and reliable data that's easy to understand, CHN combines the expertise of more than 1100 health information providers. These include the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), national, provincial and territorial non-profit organizations, as well as universities, hospitals, libraries and community organizations.

CHN is funded and developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada partner organizations. The information on the site is organized by 25 major health topics, each of which is managed by an affiliate organization specializing in that particular area. For example as CHN's Workplace Health affiliate, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) provides all workplace health information. The Centre is responsible for selecting, developing and evaluating resources for the Workplace Health section of the site.

To raise awareness of health and wellness issues in your workplace, send the CHN link to managers, supervisors and employees. Anyone with access to the Internet will find authoritative, up-to-date information on Workplace Health, Active Living, AIDS/HIV, Alternative Health, Cancer, Determinants of Health, Environmental Health, Healthy Eating, Injury Prevention, Sexuality/Reproductive Health, and many more topics relating to health, safety and well-being.

CHN is bilingual, non-commercial, and free-of-charge. The information is organized by topic and group categories that make searching quick and easy. A list of more than 40 Frequently Asked Questions on healthy workplaces makes a handy printout for employees. CHN also offers free subscriptions to its twice-monthly newsletter, Healthlink, for anyone who wants to quickly scan new articles, events and health tips.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety is proud to be one of the many health partners in the CHN, which is built on a "network of networks", and one of the most dynamic and comprehensive networks anywhere.

CCOHS has taken the best of their ever-popular pocket guides and e-courses - and bundled them by topics to create five convenient, practical toolkits. These specially created packages provide a prime opportunity to obtain credible, practical information at a substantial savings.

Violence Prevention Toolkit $65

Violence in the Workplace: Recognize the Risk and Take Action e-course gives you single-user online access to a one hour course that will enable you to develop a clear understanding of workplace violence, its consequences and what preventive measures can be taken.
PLUS the companion print pocket guide offers 163 pages of essential information for anyone who needs to learn about workplace violence and its prevention.

Office Ergonomics Toolkit $65

Office Ergonomics e-learning course gives you single-user online access to a course that will help you to deal specifically with problems and injuries related to the use of computers and other office equipment.
PLUS the 121-page companion print pocket guide helps office employees identify ergonomic hazards and take remedial action.

Health and Safety Committees Toolkit $65

Health and Safety Committees e-learning course gives you single user online access to a course that will enable you to fulfill your duties as a Committee member.
PLUS the Health & Safety Committees Reference Guide offers 168 printed pages of practical guidance for establishing effective health and safety committees.

Workplace Environment Toolkit $40

Protect the health and safety of your workplace environment with these on-the-job training, education and reference tools. The bundle includes five of CCOHS' popular pocket guides that deal with environmental issues in the workplace: Indoor Air Quality, Mould in the Workplace, Noise Control in Industry, Working in Hot Environments, and Cold Weather Workers.

Workplace Planning and Prevention Toolkit $30

Create and sustain healthy workplaces with these on-the-job training, education and reference tools.
The bundle includes the following four pocket guides: Violence in the Workplace, Wellness in the Workplace, Health & Safety Committees, plus Emergency Response Planning.

Limited Time Offer
These specially packaged toolkits are only available until July 31, 2006.

For more information or to order your Toolkits, contact CCOHS Client Services:
Phone: 1-905-570-8094 Toll-free: 1-800-668-4284 (Canada and USA)


More information on courses from CCOHS


More information on CCOHS' pocket guides