Confined space equipment: Innovations in worker safety

Introduction

Confined spaces are high-risk work environments, characterized by limited access, poor ventilation and adverse operating conditions that create problems for worker safety. The complexity of these environments requires advanced solutions to prevent accidents, minimize risks and ensure the protection of the people involved.

In this context, confined space equipment has evolved by integrating innovative technologies that transform the way these risks are monitored and managed. In this article, we present the main innovations in safety equipment and systems, the types of rescue applied in these environments, and how technology has improved safety in confined space work.

How to identify a confined space?

A confined space is an area, large or small, that may be completely enclosed or partially open, but is not designed for continuous occupancy due to the inherent hazards it poses to people. However, access to these spaces may be necessary to perform specific tasks related to maintenance, inspection or repair. Typical examples include tanks, shafts, pipes, boilers and manholes, among others.

To identify a confined space, the following characteristics need to be considered:

1. Limited access: Entry and exit points are often narrow or difficult to pass through, making rapid evacuation difficult in the event of an emergency.
2. Poor ventilation: Air circulation is restricted; which, results in the accumulation of hazardous, flammable or toxic gases, as well as a decrease in the oxygen level, posing health risks.
3. Visibility and communication: These spaces often have insufficient lighting and communication limitations due to their physical configuration. This makes it difficult to identify physical or chemical hazards that may compromise worker safety. In addition, lack of effective communication complicates coordination in emergency situations, delaying rescue strategies and increasing risks.

The following image illustrates the area of a confined space that presents an industrial environment with limitations such as single access, poor lighting, and lack of natural air circulation. Technologies such as monitoring sensors, automation, and advanced inspection systems could improve safety under these conditions.

Why is proper confined space protective equipment important?

When personnel work in confined spaces, safety is a priority; having the right confined space equipment can make all the difference. Here are the key reasons why:

1. Accident prevention: Equipment such as gas detectors, self-contained breathing apparatus and safety harnesses help mitigate risks before they become emergencies.
2. Regulatory compliance: Legislation in many countries requires the use of certified equipment to ensure worker safety.
3. Ease of rescue: In the event of an emergency, specialized rescue teams can respond quickly and save lives.
4. Worker protection: Technologies such as thermal cameras and communication systems improve monitoring and coordination capabilities.

Types of confined space rescues

The planning and execution of a confined space rescue is an activity that requires specific strategies to minimize risks to both the victim and the rescuers. There are three main types of confined space rescues:

Self-rescue

Self-rescue is the most desirable scenario, since it implies that the worker manages to get out of the confined space by his own means without becoming incapacitated. For this to be possible, hazards must be identified in time, either by the worker himself or through alerts generated by monitoring systems or external on-call personnel.

The main equipment to facilitate a self-rescue includes real-time gas detection systems, effective communication equipment and safety harnesses connected to suitable anchor points.

No-entry rescue

In this type of rescue, the victim has been incapacitated, but rescuers perform the operation from outside the area. This strategy reduces the risk to rescuers by avoiding the need to enter a potentially dangerous environment.

Equipment required for a non-entry rescue includes: Tripod, safety lines and motorized pulley systems. This method is preferred in hazardous atmospheres or when confined space conditions present critical hazards.

Entry Rescue

Occurs when rescuers must enter the confined space to evacuate the victim, which carries greater risks and should be considered a last resort. To perform it safely, it is imperative that rescuers are equipped as: Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), Portable Thermal Chambers and Chemical Protective Suits, if necessary.

It requires careful planning, specialized equipment and prior drills to ensure safe and efficient execution. Statistics indicate that most fatal incidents in confined space rescues occur when rescuers are not adequately prepared or do not have the necessary equipment.

Worker safety in confined spaces depends to a large extent on the integration of technologically advanced equipment to mitigate specific risks, improve operational efficiency and ensure worker protection. The following highlights the main innovations in equipment and systems for these operations:

Latest generation Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Smart harnesses: Designed with ultra-resistant and lightweight materials, incorporating sensors that detect falls and location, monitor the user’s position and send automatic alerts to rescue teams, their ergonomic design improves mobility in confined spaces.
• Smart hard hats: Equipped with integrated lighting, two-way communication, gas detection sensors and biometric monitoring, allowing workers to operate more safely by collecting and transmitting critical information during operations.
• Gloves with integrated technology: They have built-in sensors that measure exposure to chemical agents, vibrations and temperature. The data collected is transmitted to monitoring platforms to identify risks.
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA): Modern models are more compact, lighter and offer greater autonomy, with air supply systems designed for hazardous or oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

Auxiliary systems critical operations

• Controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV): These systems renew air, remove hazardous gases and control humidity. Hybrid technologies, such as hybrid controlled ventilation (HCV), combine energy efficiency with advanced functionality, reducing costs and improving air quality.
• Advanced portable LED lighting: Self-contained devices that offer high power uniform light, low energy consumption and up to 50,000 hours of life. Their design includes adjustable masts, rotating heads and rechargeable batteries, ensuring optimal visibility in areas with limited or no lighting.
• Modern communication systems: Incorporate high clarity voice transmissions, real-time GPS location and connectivity with biometric and environmental sensors, facilitating coordination and decision making in critical situations.

Advanced monitoring technologies

• Multipurpose gas detectors: Fixed or portable devices monitor in real time the presence of multiple toxic or flammable gases and oxygen deficiency, providing immediate alerts and remote connectivity.
• Thermal and inspection cameras with augmented reality (AR): They are used to inspect confined spaces in greater detail, facilitating the location of people or critical points in low visibility conditions. AR provides real-time contextual information, such as maps and risk analysis.
• Motion detection systems: These use sensors to monitor the presence and location of workers within the confined space, immediately alerting external teams of any irregularities.

Specialized rescue equipment

• Lifting equipment, tripods and portable anchors: Designed with modular and portable structures that adapt to different situations, this equipment is optimized to support greater loads and perform safe maneuvers both vertically and horizontally. They incorporate automatic ascent and descent mechanisms that improve precision, reduce physical effort and increase safety in rescue operations.
• Motorized pulleys and lifelines: Motorized pulley systems speed up the extraction of workers in emergencies, reducing manual efforts and improving the accuracy of operations. Lifelines ensure safety in restricted movements.
• Specialized stretchers: Adapted for different configurations of confined spaces, they offer safety and ease of transport in hard-to-reach areas.

Innovative technologies applied to confined spaces

• Drones: Equipped with sensors, thermal cameras and gas detectors, used in remote inspections and to collect data on environmental conditions. They reduce human exposure and optimize rescue strategies.
• Assistance robots: Designed to operate in hazardous or inaccessible environments, these robots are used to perform inspections, repairs and rescue tasks in high-risk areas.
• Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR): Virtual reality allows workers to be trained in realistic simulations of confined spaces, while augmented reality provides crucial information during operations, such as exact locations and hazard alerts.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics: These tools analyze data collected by sensors to identify patterns and predict incidents, enabling more efficient and adaptive risk management.

Risk management and monitoring platforms

• Risk analysis software: These are specialized tools to assess hazards, design emergency plans and monitor operations in real time, facilitating the planning and execution of work in high-risk environments.
• Mobile applications: Provide access to critical information such as space maps, environmental monitoring data and direct communication with rescue teams, improving operational efficiency.

How have technologies improved safety in confined space work?

Technological innovations have transformed industrial safety measures in confined areas, allowing for better risk management and greater worker protection. The most relevant advances are detailed below:

1. Continuous hazard monitoring: Gas detectors are employed to assess conditions before and during operation, identifying hazardous atmospheres and reducing personnel exposure.
2. Real-time physiological monitoring: The collection of biometric data such as heart rate, body temperature and effort levels allows for adapting work cycles and preventing burnout or heat stress, common factors in this type of work environment.
3. Remote inspection: Drones and thermal cameras facilitate detailed inspections without human input, optimizing planning and reducing risks.
4. Effective rescues: The incorporation of advanced equipment such as tripods, motorized pulley systems and modern lifelines has improved the speed and accuracy of rescues.
5. Immersive training: Virtual reality trains workers in realistic simulations without exposing them to real hazards.
6. Error reduction: Automatic sensors, warning systems and integrated monitoring platforms provide accurate information to minimize incorrect decisions.

Conclusions

Working in confined spaces is a job that poses numerous risks, but with the implementation of advanced technologies it is possible to reduce hazards and prioritize worker safety. From intelligent safety harnesses to modern gas detection systems and rescue equipment, the advances in confined space equipment are outstanding and make it possible to control tasks in these complex environments.

In every operation, worker safety must always be a priority, consolidating itself as the main strategy to protect lives and guarantee efficiency in this type of activity. The proper selection of technologies is necessary to maximize their effectiveness in the context of work in confined spaces, ensuring safe and optimal operations at work.

References

1. https://cpdonline.co.uk/knowledge-base/health-and-safety/confined-space/ 
2. https://www.gmesupply.com/fall-protection/confined-space-systems
3. https://www.viact.ai/post/confined-space-safety-a-modern-approach-for-remote-monitoring