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Resources - Hazards in Different Industries - Municipalities & Construction
Agriculture | Shipping and Shipbuilding | Manufacturing | Food and Beverage | Municipalities and Construction
The following links list publications and other resources to help with confined space issues. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.
Municipalities and Construction
Hazards of Confined Spaces for Municipalities and the Construction Industry (PDF 588 KB)
"This book describes the main types of hazards found in confined spaces. Confined spaces may contain hazardous atmospheres, including insufficient oxygen, toxic (poisonous) air, or an explosive atmosphere. Examples of confined spaces that workers in the municipalities and the construction industry may encounter are: electrical, valve, utility, meter, and motor vaults, boilers, water tanks, reservoirs, pumping stations, storage bins, pits, sumps, storage tanks, manholes, grit and sludge presses, and wet wells."
Source: WorkSafeBC 
Confined Spaces: Deadly Spaces (Video)
This video is designed for municipal workers and illustrates the basic rules for working in confined spaces. Oxygen deficiency and other potential dangers are covered. In addition, the health effects and physical characteristics of toxic gases including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, and methane are examined. (12 min 56 s)
Source: WorkSafeBC
Under Cover (PDF 198 KB) 
"It's a dirty job --- and some don't have to do it anymore --- thanks to
a new device designed to protect workers in manholes from unsafe
encounters underground." WorkSafe Magazine article July/August 2009
Source: WorkSafeBC
Carbon
Monoxide Kills Three Volunteer Firefighters inside Well in Pennsylvania
"Three volunteer firefighters died inside a well after being exposed to carbon monoxide from the exhaust of a portable gasoline engine-powered pump. The incident occurred after four firefighters from a volunteer fire department responded to a request from a local resident to remove the remains of a dead animal from a 33-foot-deep water well." Describes investigation of this accident, with recommendations.
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health)
Sewer
Entry Guidelines (PDF 67 KB)
"This Safety Bulletin is designed to help supervisors, employers, contractors and workers understand their responsibilities for health and safety in sewer operations, including the entry of confined spaces such as manholes, vaults and lift stations."
Source: Alberta Human Resources and Employment
Three
Sanitation Workers and One Policeman Die in an Underground Pumping Station in
Kentucky
"On July 5, 1985, one police officer and two sewer workers died in an attempt to rescue a third sewer worker, who had been overcome by sewer gas at the bottom of an underground pumping station. All four persons were pronounced dead upon removal from the station." Describes investigation of this accident, with recommendations.
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health)
Anatomy of Confined Spaces in Construction
"Fatalities and injuries constantly occur among construction workers who, during the course of their jobs, are required to enter confined spaces. In some circumstances, these workers are exposed to multiple hazards, any of which may cause bodily injury, illness, or death. Newspaper and magazine articles abound with stories of workers injured and killed from a variety of atmospheric factors and physical agents. Throughout the construction jobsite, contractors and workers encounter both inherent and induced hazards within confined workspaces."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Application of Waterproof Coatings in Rooms and Confined Spaces
"Two workers have died and four have been critically injured as a result of preparing or spraying waterproof coatings in rooms or confined spaces. In all cases, the spray operators were self-employed and used portable spray equipment in trailers or trucks. These incidents occurred over the past four years."
Source: eLCOSH
Carbon
Monoxide Poisoning in Enclosed and Semi-Enclosed Worksites
"A worker at a large, enclosed construction site died of carbon monoxide poisoning after he and six other workers were exposed to high levels of the gas. Ventilation on the site was inadequate, and three machines were giving off carbon monoxide: a portable mixer and a trowel, both powered by gasoline, and a forklift powered by propane."
Source: eLCOSH
Trenching and Excavation
"Cave-ins are perhaps the most feared trenching hazard. But other potentially fatal hazards exist, including asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen in a confined space, inhalation of toxic fumes, drowning, etc. Electrocution or explosions can occur when workers contact underground utilities." A section of the OSHA Construction eTool.
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Safe Practice Guide - Entry and Work in a Confined Space (PDF 684 KB)
"This Guide designates the practices that should be followed by the member firms of the Electrical Utilities Safety Association of Ontario when entry and work in a confined space is required. It is not a training manual, but contains information and general recommendations deemed necessary to perform a job in a responsible and safe manner."
Source: The Electrical Utilities Safety Association of Ontario
Safety and Health in Confined Spaces
"Safety and Health in Confined Spaces goes beyond all other resources currently available. International in scope, the 15 chapters and 10 appendices cover every facet of this important subject. A significant addition to the literature, this book provides a confined space focus to other health and safety concepts."
Source: Neil McManus, Lewis Publishers, Copyright 1999
* Available for purchase through Amazon.ca.
Complete Confined Spaces Handbook
"This handbook provides plant managers, supervisors, safety professionals, and industrial hygienists with recommended procedures and guidance for safe entry into confined spaces."
Source: John Rekus, Lewis Publishers, Copyright 1994
* Available for purchase through Amazon.ca.
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