Revised ACoP on working in confined spaces
UPDATED guidance on working in confined spaces was published last week by Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The revised publication, containing an Approved Code of Practice (ACOP)and guidance on the duties in the Confined Spaces Regulations, offersguidance and reference points to a range of industries and businessesthat deal with confined spaces.
The HSE believes more can be done to manage the risks associatedwith working in confined spaces, such as silos, storage tanks andslurry pits.
While the ACOP and substance of the guidance remain unchanged, in thissecond edition the text of the regulations has been updated to reflectthe latest legislation, out-of-date regulations listed in Appendix 1have been replaced with current legislation, references to the mostrecent publications available have been included, and obsoleteinformation has been removed.
Commenting on the publication, Bob Daunton of the HSE, said: ‘Overthe years a simple failure to recognize what is a confined space andnot to think about the risks involved in enclosed areas…has led to anumber of fatalities. This guidance will hopefully clarify andhighlight the responsibilities that employers have to their employeeswhen they are working in a confined space.’
The revised publication can be ordered from HSE Books by calling ontel: (01787) 881165. Alternatively, visit the HSE Books website byclicking on the link below.
