The world of confined spaces is diverse, ranging from holds, manholes and tanks to ducts, silos, vaults and pipes— all of which can be deadly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 136 people in the United States alone died in accidents when working in confined spaces and containers in 2015.1 Not only can these accidents occur during everyday work, but also in rescue scenarios. Whether a sanitation worker loses consciousness due to oxygen-deficient atmospheres during a routine maintenance check, or a firefighter is overwhelmed by toxic gases during a rescue situation, respiratory protection is paramount to any confined space entry.
OSHA defines a confined space as an area that is large enough for workers to enter and perform certain jobs, has limited or restricted entry or exit and is not designed for continuous occupancy.2 In confined spaces, conditions can rapidly change — toxins can accumulate, or oxygen deficient environments can cause asphyxiation. To combat — or at a minimum mitigate — these risks, the foundation of respiratory protection is built upon the recognition of these hazards and the understanding of what is necessary to protect against them.