HSE Issues Warning for Work in Confined Spaces
In a recent judgment, the Norwich Crown Court has found Richards Dry Dock and Engineering Ltd, a shipping company in Norfolk, guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.The court imposed a fine of £25,000 and ordered the company to pay £34,744.90 as costs. The HSE has subsequently issued a warning to employers to comply with safety standards applicable to confined and closed spaces of work.
The incident took place on August 5, 2005. Two welders were working on the deck of ‘The Putford Achilles’ when water accidentally started flowing in a confined space in the ship’s hold where Mr. Kevin Hall, the victim, had been working. The hold got flooded with water due to which Mr. Hall was electrocuted. The confined nature of the work area and the danger of electrocution to the rescuers acted as hindrances for a rescue operation.
John Claxton, HSE Inspector, who was involved in the investigation into the accident, commented that the mishap could have been prevented if proper precautions had been taken. Work in closed and confined spaces always creates great dangers, and precautions are necessary to manage these. The risks of confined areas are well known such as lack of oxygen, presence of toxic gases, flooding, and electrocution.
He has suggested that proper risk assessment should be carried out for such workplaces. Workers should generally avoid confined areas and if it is required for them to enter then proper training should be provided. It is the responsibility of the employer to establish a proper work procedure for such places along with atmospheric monitoring and preparation for a rescue operation.
He emphasised that all companies irrespective of their size should comply with the necessary guidelines of risk management as published by the HSE, failing which strict actions will be taken.
Employers need to keep themselves up to date with health and safety developments to avoid potential legal action from employers by taking a health and safety courses such as the iosh safety from Workplace Law Training.
