Performance – In some cases, companies opt to use job performance as the decision making factor in layoff decisions. Organizations that use this criterion opt to keep those workers who have exhibited the highest levels of performance and to lay off the lowest performing employees.

For determining the potential layoff candidates the management will have to consider the education, qualification and experience of the employee. They should see how much the employees can contribute to the organization in future. The family situation of the employees should also be considered.

According to OSHA a confined space is a space that meets these criteria: 1) being large enough for an employee to enter and perform work; 2) has limited or restricted means for entry or exit; and 3) is not designed for continuous occupancy.

OSHA uses the term “permit-required confined space” (permit space) to describe a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics: contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere; contains material that has the potential to engulf an entrant; has walls that converge inward or floors …

What are the main confined space hazards?

• Lack of Oxygen. Oxygen can be removed from the atmosphere within a confined space through naturally occurring reactions.
• Gases, Fumes and Vapours.
• Flooding.
• Dust.
• Fire and Explosions.
• Temperature.
• Access Restrictions.

19.5 %

What are the hazards? Working in a confined space is dangerous because of the risks from noxious fumes, reduced oxygen levels, or a risk of fire. Other dangers may include flooding/drowning or asphyxiation from some other source such as dust, grain or other contaminant.

OSHA’s standard for confined spaces (29 CFR 1910.146) contains the requirements for practices and procedures to protect employ-ees in general industry from the hazards of entering permit spaces. Employers in general industry must evaluate their workplaces to determine if spaces are permit spaces.

Working in confined spaces without the proper training is not only illegal, but can result in serious injury or death. This is necessary because employers must ensure that the training is performed in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.

What is a Confined Space? To begin with, understand that OSHA – according to 29 CFR 1910.146 – considers there to be two types of confined space: a confined space and a permit-required confined space (PRCS).

It is to reduce the impact of electrical shock to the workers (in case any). By having less voltage the consequence would also be diminished. Installation with higher voltage (110 V, 220 V, or 380 V) is possible to create a fatal incident depending upon the environment (wet, metal surface, etc.)

24V AC LED LIGHT

If a vertical entrance into a confined space is required, equipment must be provided to ensure safe access. This is usually accomplished with a ladder or davit arm/tripod, along with a winching mechanism.

Confined spaces are usually broken down into two groups: Non-Permit and Permit. Permit confined spaces are the most hazardous and require you or some qualified person to completed a safety checklist, simply called a permit, before you enter in to the space.

Common Confined Space Gas Levels

• Oxygen. OSHA dictates that the minimum “safe level” of oxygen in a confined space is 19.5%, while the maximum “safe level” of oxygen in a confined space is 23.5%.
• Combustible Gases.
• Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen Sulfide.

There are as many choices in rescue type as there are unique confined spaces in existence but generally there are two types – entry rescue and non-entry (or retrieval) rescue.

Some examples of confined spaces include storage tanks, sewers, manholes, tunnels, ship voids, pipelines, silos, wells, pits and trenches. In the United States, any pit or trench with a depth equal to or greater than 4 feet is classified as a permit-required confined space.

Trenches 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep or greater require a protective system unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. If less than 5 feet deep, a competent person may determine that a protective system is not required.

What is the difference between an excavation and a trench? OSHA defines an excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the Earth’s surface formed by earth removal. A trench is defined as a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground.

Type C soil is the least stable type of soil. Type C includes granular soils in which particles don’t stick together and cohesive soils with a low unconfined compressive strength; 0.5 tons per square foot or less. Examples of Type C soil include gravel, and sand.

They also include bits of decayed animals and plants. Soil also contains water and air. There are three different types of soil—sand, silt, and clay. Each type of soil has different characteristics.

The four Hydrologic Soils Groups are A, B, C and D. They have low infiltration rates when thoroughly wetted and consist chiefly of soils with a layer that impedes downward movement of water and soils with moderately fine to fine structure. Group D soils are clay loam, silty clay loam, sandy clay, silty clay or clay.

There are six main soil types:

• Clay.
• Sandy.
• Silty.
• Peaty.
• Chalky.
• Loamy.

Soils are composed of mixtures of mineral and organic materials, but are classified according to the size of their mineral particles. The three main texture groups are sandy, silty, and clay. Silty soil contains particles, which are smaller than sand particles but larger than clay particles.

The purpose of a soil classification system is to group together soils with similar properties or attributes. From the engineering standpoint, it is the geotechnical properties such as permeability, shear strength and compress- ibility that are important. The first step in classifying a soil is to identify it.

Soil classification systems are established to help people predict soil behavior and to provide a common language for soil scientists. Soils are named and classified into 12 orders on the basis of physical and chemical properties in their horizon (layers).