How to ensure the health and safety of workers in confined spaces during planned shutdowns

Every year, industries carry out a number of planned shutdowns, which involve a temporary and controlled interruption of a factory’s production activities to perform maintenance, standardization, and repair work. This phase is essential for ensuring the performance and safety of industrial installations.

However, these shutdowns present major challenges, particularly in terms of health and safety. Work in confined spaces, such as tanks, silos, or pipes, exposes workers to dangers such as toxic atmospheres, lack of oxygen, or fire risks.

Jimmy Savard, Director of Industrial Safety in Eastern Canada at GardaWorld Security, shares his expertise and advice on ensuring the health and safety of workers in confined spaces during planned shutdowns.

Safety issues for workers in confined spaces during planned shutdowns

Work in confined spaces is among the most hazardous in the industrial, mining, and manufacturing sectors. Several factors increase the risk level, such as air quality, the cramped nature of confined spaces that make access and evacuation difficult in emergencies, poor visibility, and the need for continuous monitoring to ensure the health and safety of workers inside. To minimize these risks and ensure the health and safety of employees throughout the work, “our confined space supervisors receive thorough training that allows them to provide continuous monitoring and trigger emergency measures when needed. A human is not supposed to be in these spaces, which is why constant surveillance and regular air quality testing are crucial. If these tests show non-compliant air quality, our confined space supervisors deny access to the worker or evacuate them immediately, then ensure the ventilation of the confined space until the air levels meet required standards, allowing the worker to return safely,” adds Jimmy Savard.

Moreover, cleanliness and order are fundamental aspects of confined space safety. Before and during the planned shutdown, the confined space supervisors ensure that the work area is safe (no cluttered tools, no falling object risks, or nearby vehicle traffic). “Throughout the planned shutdown, our main goal is to ensure that every worker goes home safely and in good health at the end of the day,” emphasizes Jimmy Savard.

Ensuring compliance with standards and regulations

Work in confined spaces is governed by strict regulations aimed at protecting the health and safety of workers. The presence of qualified confined space supervisors is a legal obligation to ensure compliance with protocols and intervene in case of danger. These confined space supervisors conduct regular checks and continuous supervision of confined spaces. “Additionally, systematic checks are carried out by a supervisor, usually at a ratio of one team leader for every ten workers, to ensure compliance with safety measures and adherence to current standards,” reminds Jimmy Savard.

Combining traditional and digital monitoring to enhance the health and safety of workers in confined spaces

By combining advanced digital monitoring with the presence of confined space supervisors, GardaWorld Security offers a robust solution that ensures enhanced safety and optimal responsiveness. This synergy allows for the rapid detection of anomalies, improved access management, and guaranteed compliance, all while optimizing costs and resources, ensuring the smooth running of your activities safely and without interruption.

In conclusion, ensuring the safety of workers in confined spaces during planned shutdowns requires constant vigilance, qualified security personnel, and compliance with regulations. By combining human expertise and digital surveillance, GardaWorld Security provides a robust approach to minimize risks and guarantee safe interventions. Contact our team to learn more about our confined space security solutions.