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Safety Training: How to Prepare Workers for Confined Spaces While Working Alone
Requirements for Working Alone in Confined Spaces
The OSHA has a working-alone regulation specific to working in confined spaces for shipyard employment, but they have yet to be created for other industries. However, the practices and measures required under this regulation can be used to improve the safety of lone workers in confined spaces from all industries. Under standard number 1915.84, OSHA states:
“Except as provided in § 1915.51(c)(3) of this part, whenever an employee is working alone, such as in a confined space or isolated location, the employer shall account for each employee:
- 1915.84(a)(1): Throughout each workshift at regular intervals appropriate to the job assignment to ensure the employee's safety and health; and
- 1915.84(a)(2): At the end of the job assignment or at the end of the workshift, whichever occurs first.
- 1915.84(b): The employer shall account for each employee by sight or verbal communication.”
However, the employer is also responsible for the lone worker under the General Duty Clause or duty of care, which states that companies “shall furnish to each of his employee's employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.”
If their employees are required to work alone in a confined space, extra precautions must be taken, such as:
- Closer monitoring of their location in case of an emergency so that help can be dispatched to the correct coordinates as quickly as possible.
- Reliable, steady communication with that person throughout their shift so that any critical information relevant to their safety is relayed to the employer.
Why Safety Training Is Effective
One of the most effective strategies to prepare lone workers and employees for dangerous occupational circumstances is through safety training sessions and exercises. Safety training focused on specific areas such as working alone in confined spaces can help employees react in the best way possible to a bad situation in which they could get hurt.
Training for working alone in confined spaces should focus on the safe entry of the space, how this work can be performed safely within this space and protocols to exit this space safely once their work has been completed. While online and in-person safety training options are available, the interpersonal engagement that accompanies in-person training makes the extra work completely worth it. When introducing new safety training to staff, make sure the training goals are clearly communicated.