Starting in May, United Rentals is hosting a series of online safety classes focused on confined spaces work. The webinar series, which takes place the week of May 9, will discuss steps construction and utilities contractors can take to improve safety in confined space environments. Not only are there dangers of physical injuries in confined spaces, but flammable and air pollutant risks, as well. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 148 deaths related to confined spaces work in 2018.
There are several rules construction and utility companies must follow when workers are completing tasks in confined spaces. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated its rules on confined spaces work in 2015 as a result of work-related deaths and injuries. Typical confined include tanks, underground vaults, manholes, tunnels, sewers, storm drains, equipment housings, crawlspaces and HVAC ducts.
“Nothing is more important than safety on the worksite. Compliance with confined space regulations can not only advance safety but also help drive productivity,” said Scott Thomas, region product development manager, United Rentals. “Training is essential to prepare workers to identify potential hazards and work safely in and around a confined space. The Confined Space Safety Week webinars will share important information to help companies keep their sites safe without sacrificing efficiency.”
According to United Rentals, anyone may attend the free educational sessions, which will be presented by United Rentals confined space experienced personnel. To register, visit the United Rentals webinar series webpage.
United Rentals
Schedule
What are You Breathing? Initial testing is crucial before people enter a confined space. Scott Thomas, region product development manager at United Rentals will highlight the effects of atmospheric hazards to the human body to illustrate why continuous monitoring is always best. The session will review proper testing procedures using either a pump mode or diffusion mode instrument. It will break down general information on calibrations, bump testing and overall maintenance to ensure equipment is operating properly for every confined space entry project. Offered: May 10 at 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT.
Confined Space Ventilation: What is Right, and How Can I get There? Confined spaces (as defined by OSHA) can be found in virtually every workplace. When employee entry into those spaces is required, the employer must ensure safe entry which means evaluating for existing and potential physical and atmospheric hazards. When an atmospheric hazard is found, or may develop, proper ventilation is needed. In this webinar, Bruce Magee, region product manager at United Rentals, will explore proper ventilation sizing, set-up, purge time and more, to help ensure a safer workplace. Offered: May 11 at 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT.
Prepared for Non-Entry Rescue? In this webinar, Joe Wise, region customer training manager at United Rentals, will help attendees to understand the importance of retrieval systems, why having the right set up is critical and how to maintain equipment before confined space operations begin. During the discussion of retrieval systems, the session will break down the key differences of a self-retracting lifeline and mechanical winches. The webinar will also review equipment inspections to ensure preparedness to conduct an efficient and safe non-entry rescue. Offered: May 12 at 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. CDT.
With more than 92 trench safety locations and the largest fleet of confined space and excavation rental equipment in North America, United Rentals supplies OSHA- and OH&S-compliant trench protective systems and on-site consulting, engineering services and safety training.
