Confined spaces pose a significant hazard to workers’ lives. Recently, BBC East Midlands published a story covering a corporate manslaughter trial taking place in Leicester Crown Court. Greenfeeds Limited is charged with two counts of corporate manslaughter after two of its employees, Nathan Walker (19) and Gavin Rawson (35), lost consciousness due to high CO2 concentrations and subsequently drowned inside a tanker.
[1] Seven years before this incident in May 2009, two men, Maarten Pieter Den Heijer (30) and Robert MacDonald (45), died as a result of low O2 concentrations beneath the deck of a barge moored on Loch Creran, a sea farm near Oban. Scottish Sea Farms and Logan Inglis were fined £600 000 and £40 000 respectively (these fines were later reduced to £333 335 and £20 000) for breaches of health and safety regulations such as failing to train staff for working in confined spaces like the sealed chambers present on the Loch Creran barge.
[2] Approximately 15 people in the UK lose their lives due to accidents in confined spaces; this number includes fatalities resulting from failed rescue attempts.
[3] Therefore, it is vital to understand the risks, regulations, procedures, and equipment pertaining to working in confined spaces before you or your employees undertake any work. Thankfully, Crowcon has answered several frequently asked questions about confined spaces using the information outlined in the HSE's (UK) and OSHA's (USA) documentation on the subject.
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Recognising the dangers posed by toxic gases encountered in farming, Crowcon has produced a white paper specifically for the agricultural sector. Titled Why Gas Detection is Crucial in Farming & Agriculture, this paper outlines the gas hazards farmers should look out for, explains the relevant standards that need to be met, and details helpful ways to protect yourself, your staff, your stock, and, ultimately, your livelihood.
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