In the past, many workers and would-be rescuers have lost their lives or been seriously injured through ignorance, in relation to Confined Space Entry and Rescue procedures. Statistics indicate that this unique aspect of work attracted substantial attention in the form of Regulations development of specialised work techniques and specialised equipment in the mid to late nineties. Studies have indicated that there are two major factors that lead to fatal injuries in confined spaces:
1. Failure to recognise & control hazards associated with confined spaces
2. Inadequate or incorrect emergency response procedures
Statistical data is available from sources worldwide. However, North America has been more comprehensive in their collection of statistical data and the formulation of standard operating procedures for confined space entry and rescue. Many of our Australian standards and legislative requirements have been formulated from the procedures developed by them. Outlined below are some statistics from the USA data (“Worker Deaths in Confined Spaces” Pub No 94-103, NIOSH, January 1993).
NIOSH (US National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health) “FACE” Study of Fatal Confined Space Entry Incidents
• 80% of incidents involved hazardous atmospheres
• 36% of incidents involved multiple fatalities
• Few employers in incidents used warning signs at confined space entry point
• No employers used a permit to work system for confined space entry
• 40% of fatalities entered for maintenance reasons
• Over 1/3 of fatalities entered to rescue other workers (other stats say 60%)!
NIOSH Review of 88 Deaths from 55 Incidents
• Only 27% of employers involved in fatalities had any written confined space entry procedures
• 97% of fatalities had not received any training on confined space entry
NIOSH National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities Study
• 585 separate incidents claimed 670 fatalities – some with up to 4 fatalities
• Rate was highest in mining, oil & gas industry with 0.69 deaths per 100,000 workers per year
It is important to note that many confined space incidents and fatalities may not have been included in these statistics as they are classified generally when reported (e.g. “slips, trips or falls” or “electrical”). This means that confined space incident and death rates may be even higher than appears.