Rope Access - Confined Spaces - Silo Cleaning

What is a Confined Space?

It can be any space of an enclosed nature where there is a risk of death or serious injury from hazardous substances or dangerous conditions.....this can be from lack of oxygen and even too much oxygen that can be combustable, LEL's such as methane and hydrogen sulphide are to name a few which should be monitored, prior and during entry.

Some confined spaces are fairly easy to identify, e.g. enclosures with limited openings:

* Storage tanks;
* Silos;
* Reaction vessels;
* Enclosed drains;
* Sewers.

Others may be less obvious, but can be equally dangerous, for example:

* Open-topped chambers;
* Vats;
* Combustion chambers in furnaces etc;
* Ductwork;
* Unventilated or poorly ventilated rooms or shafts.

It is not possible to provide a comprehensive list of confined spaces. Some places may become confined spaces when work is carried out, or during their construction, fabrication or subsequent modification.

What are the dangers from confined spaces?

Dangers can arise in confined spaces because of:

A lack of oxygen;This can occur:

• where there is a reaction between some soils and the oxygen in the atmosphere;
• following the action of ground water on chalk and limestone which can produce carbon dioxide and displace normal air;
• in ships' holds, freight containers, lorries, etc., as a result of the cargo reacting with oxygen inside the space;
• inside steel tanks and vessels when rust forms.
• Poisonous gas, fume or vapour.

These can:

build-up in sewers and manholes and in pits connected to the system;

enter tanks or vessels from connecting pipes;

leak into trenches and pits in contaminated land, such as old refuse tips and old gas works.

Liquids and solids which can suddenly fill the space, or release gases into it, when disturbed. Free flowing solids such as grain can also partially solidify or 'bridge' in silos causing blockages which can collapse unexpectedly.
Fire and explosions (e.g. from flammable vapours, excess oxygen, etc.).
Residues left in tanks, vessels, etc., or remaining on internal surfaces which can give off gas, fume or vapour.
Dust may be present in high concentrations, e.g. in flour silos.
Hot conditions leading to a dangerous increase in body temperature.

Some of the above conditions may already be present in the confined space, however, some may arise through the work being carried out, or because of ineffective isolation of plant nearby, e.g. leakage from a pipe connected to the confined space. The enclosure and working space may increase other dangers arising through the work being carried out, for example:

• Machinery being used may require special precautions, such as provision of dust extraction for a portable grinder, or special precautions against electric shock;
• Gas, fume or vapour can arise from welding, or by use of volatile and often flammable solvents, adhesives, etc.;
• If access to the space is through a restricted entrance, such as manhole, escape or rescue in an emergency will be more difficult......so rescue procedures must be put in place prior to commencement of the works. 

What the law says:
You must carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks for all work activities for the purpose of deciding what measures are necessary for safety
(The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Regulation 3).

For work in confined spaces this means identifying the hazards present, assessing the risks and determining what precautions to take. In most cases the assessment will include consideration of:

* The task;
* The working environment;
* Working materials and tools;
* The suitability of those carrying out the task;
* Arrangements for emergency rescue.

All staff entering confined spaces are subject to specific training and should be competent to manage the risk.......confined space entry, egress and rescue......and of course .....all staff should be trained in the correct use of.... and issued with the correct PPE under PUWER 1998.

If your Organisation requires any of our professional services, please dont hesitate to contact the team.

Rope Access Window Cleaning

We are nearing completion to one of our regular jobs - cleaning all external glazing to a large office block in the West Midlands using Rope Access methods.
We deployed 2 Rope Access tehnicians to carry out the the works over a 5 day period, we carry out the Rope Access Window Cleaning to this building on a quarterly basis and have done for a number of years.

 

Window cleaning is a skilled trade that has undergone a massive transformation over time as windows get bigger, higher and more integral to a building's design. At Complete Access our rope access window cleaning services have always been at the core to delivering complete solutions for our customers.  We supply high quality and above all safe window and facade cleaning solutions. All our technicians are IRATA trained to levels 1, 2 and 3 conforming to BS7985, the British Code of Practice for roped access.
All of our technicians are certificated to City & Guilds Level 2 in Building & Support Services.

Rope Access offers minimal environmental impact and is extremely cost effective compared to conventional access methods such as scaffolding, MEWP’s and cradle systems.

The flexibility rope access can offer is unbeatable, our rope access systems can be set up in minimal time and removed at the end of every shift, this removes the likelihood of theft or vandalism.

If your organisation would like any information on our services or if you would like to  request a bochure ........... please dont hesitate to contact us

Rope Access - High Level Cleaning Birmingham

We started a week of night shifts at Millenium Point in Birmingham.

We deployed 3 Rope Access Technicians to deliver:

• high level steel work cleaning in the roof space. 
• high level cleanng to opaque glazing.
• high level wndow cleaning.

All works were carried out using a mixture of Aid Climbing and Rope Descents & Ascents

If your Company reqires any of our Working at Height Services ......please dont hesitate to Contact Us

Rope Access Silo Clean Yorkshire

Rope Access Silo Clean

Today we have completed the internal clean to a 23 metre silo using rope access methods for an International Glass manufacturer in East Yorkshire.
Our RAMS - Risk Assessments and Method Statements consisted of both the undertaking of the task and rescue procedures.... all paperwork was agreed with the clients H&S Manager prior to our site visit.

We deployed 3 technicians to carry out the de-scaling of a silo which contained Dolamite/Calcium Magnesium, this substance created a very dusty atmosphere when agitated.
The silo was quite big, not only in height but in shape...4 metres x 3 metres, with a main access hatch and access portholes to thread ropes through, all anchored from structural steelwork.......rope to rope transfers were the order of the day.
The use of PPE inside the silo was of paramount importance in the dusty atmosphere.......in this case P3 dust particle masks, protective gloves, safety eye goggles and protective coveralls were issued......
We ensure that all of our technicians entering a Confined Space are qualified to do so.
Our technicians are fully trained in rescue scenarios......and always supplied with suitable PPE....this, conforming to the Confined Space Regulations 1997 and PUWER 1998......

Its hard to believe that some Companies let their employees into Confined Spaces without correct training and without issueing them the correct PPE!!!!

Whilst inside the silo our technicians carried out a number of 'rope2rope transfers' and 'rope ascents' to get to the correct work position to scrape the bridged Dolamite form the walls of the silo ready for the new product to be delivered..........the next day!

If your Organisation requires any of our services.......we operate on a National basis....please dont hesitate to contact us

City & Guilds and our staff Qualifications

After successfully completing our City & Guilds Level 2 in Cleaning & Support Services, we are very happy to receive our certificates with confirmation of passing all modules.......

We also have another two technicians half way through their City & Guilds Level 2 in Cleaning & Support Services.....

Although our staff are highly trained and qualified to IRATA levels 1,2 & 3, Confined Space Trained, BICS, CCSNG, IOSH & NEBOSH......Britannia Safecontractor and SM&MS audited.....

We have recently been asked by a number of our clients whether our staff are City & Guilds Qualified........This will be common place within the coming year that all cleaning & maintenance contractors will have to display to clients ...a high standard of training for all staff members.

With thanks to the guys @ https://www.facebook.com/#!/Impact43Training

Rope Access Silo Cleaning Birmingham

We deployed 3 Rope Access Technicians to carry out the internal cleaning to a silo over the weekend.
Our multi skilled technicians are all highly trained and certificated for entry, egress and rescue in confined spaces

The silo which contained polypropylene pellets was emptied to make way for a different product. Our services were engaged to de-contaminate the silo, which consisted cleaning off plastic dust residue on the internal walls and roof.

The works were carried out on behalf of a Global Automotive Company, we have been the preferred contractor for specialist cleaning solutions for a number of years.

If your organisation requires Confined Space Cleaning, Maintenance or Inspection please dont hesitate to Contact Us

Rope Access Petzl Asap & Asap'sorber

We have today, supplied all of our technicans with new 'back up' devices......Petzl Asaps & Asap'sorbers.

We have had to address the current situation on Petzl's statement not recommending the Petzl Shunt be used for Industrial Rope Access purposes........we have been using the Shunt for 12 years!

Although our technicians have used Asap's during training......there was a bit of trepidation on the change over.......after using them for a day....the feedback was good!

If your Organisation requires any of our services......please dont hesitate to contact us