Dear Mr. Kesava Pillai,
In the case of a metallic tank, vessel, or cyclone, what would be the recommended voltage to use? At our site, all electrical connections are routed through proper RCCBs. Can we suggest using the same 230V supply inside confined spaces as mentioned above?
With regards,
Dipil
From India
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730In the case of a metallic tank, vessel, or cyclone, what would be the recommended voltage to use? At our site, all electrical connections are routed through proper RCCBs. Can we suggest using the same 230V supply inside confined spaces as mentioned above?
With regards,
Dipil
From India
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Dear Mr. Keshav Pillai,
As per the presentation attached, which is based on OSHA, the PEL of Carbon monoxide is <35ppm. According to the Factories Act, the Time-Weighted Average concentration (TWA) (Permissible limits of exposure) of Carbon monoxide is 50ppm. Additionally, for Short-term exposure limit (15 min), it is 400ppm.
Why is there a difference in standards? Are we in India still lacking in standards? If we allow human exposure up to 50ppm of CO concentration, how safe is it?
I hope you don't get irritated by these questions and look forward to receiving a positive answer.
With regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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As per the presentation attached, which is based on OSHA, the PEL of Carbon monoxide is <35ppm. According to the Factories Act, the Time-Weighted Average concentration (TWA) (Permissible limits of exposure) of Carbon monoxide is 50ppm. Additionally, for Short-term exposure limit (15 min), it is 400ppm.
Why is there a difference in standards? Are we in India still lacking in standards? If we allow human exposure up to 50ppm of CO concentration, how safe is it?
I hope you don't get irritated by these questions and look forward to receiving a positive answer.
With regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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Dear All,
I am attaching a file that clearly explains the classification of Confined Spaces. Some of you may benefit from this information.
@ Keshav Pillai: If you have any value to add to this, please let me know, sir.
With regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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I am attaching a file that clearly explains the classification of Confined Spaces. Some of you may benefit from this information.
@ Keshav Pillai: If you have any value to add to this, please let me know, sir.
With regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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Dear Dipil,
OSHA PEL is correct. We are yet to update the information.
OSHA is quite serious. They update all the information timely and consider statutes for implementing. We are not so. Even with all the Factories Act and Rules; can you name one factory adhering to all those requirements? Can you name one Factory inspector who inspects at least one factory thoroughly in a year from his jurisdiction? This is one issue with which the Bhopal compensation case could not be handled properly. Implementing statutory requirements failed us. The question was "How often was the Union Carbide inspected and what were the citations, if any?" That means the factory was being run safely all those years. I do not want to go any further in this case. The fact remains.
On confined Space: You have taken some effort and for sure it is rewarding. However, your presentation needs improvement. Just look at and feel how much time is required to understand all that you want to explain. If the presentation is simple, understanding will be easy.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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OSHA PEL is correct. We are yet to update the information.
OSHA is quite serious. They update all the information timely and consider statutes for implementing. We are not so. Even with all the Factories Act and Rules; can you name one factory adhering to all those requirements? Can you name one Factory inspector who inspects at least one factory thoroughly in a year from his jurisdiction? This is one issue with which the Bhopal compensation case could not be handled properly. Implementing statutory requirements failed us. The question was "How often was the Union Carbide inspected and what were the citations, if any?" That means the factory was being run safely all those years. I do not want to go any further in this case. The fact remains.
On confined Space: You have taken some effort and for sure it is rewarding. However, your presentation needs improvement. Just look at and feel how much time is required to understand all that you want to explain. If the presentation is simple, understanding will be easy.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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Dear dipil, Please see the attached one on Confined Space. Regards, Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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From India, Kollam
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Dear Mr. Keshav Pillai,
Regarding factory inspectors: Are they fully empowered to stop those factories by providing reasons to prove that they are running unsafely? Will those big industries cease operation? Will they escalate the issue to higher authorities? All the citations of the factory inspector then become invalid. So, where does the fault lie? It is the lack of a system in India. Even though the factory inspectors visit factories, most of the time, they limit their visits to the offices. They may only visit the sites in case of fatalities and such. It's similar to what you mentioned. The fact remains.
Thank you for your simplified confined space classification presentation. I can really understand it at a glance.
With regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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Regarding factory inspectors: Are they fully empowered to stop those factories by providing reasons to prove that they are running unsafely? Will those big industries cease operation? Will they escalate the issue to higher authorities? All the citations of the factory inspector then become invalid. So, where does the fault lie? It is the lack of a system in India. Even though the factory inspectors visit factories, most of the time, they limit their visits to the offices. They may only visit the sites in case of fatalities and such. It's similar to what you mentioned. The fact remains.
Thank you for your simplified confined space classification presentation. I can really understand it at a glance.
With regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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Dear Dipil,
Before delving deeper into the query, have you ever come across any act, rule, or statute specifying the allowable voltage in a confined space?
Now, let's address the issue: why are we concerned about electricity and its voltage in a confined space?
Upon analysis, the reasons are:
1. As an ignition source
2. Possible electrical shock/electrocution
In confined spaces, hot work such as arc welding is often permitted. In such cases, there is no need to worry about electricity or its voltage as a source of ignition.
To protect against electrical shock, we implement all necessary safety measures such as heavy-duty and double-insulated cords with no splicing, deadman's switch, GFCI, isolation unit, grounding, and more.
If the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) is zero and absolute precautions are taken, voltage is not a determining factor, provided the work is carried out under competent supervision and with the necessary permits in place.
A tank under construction qualifies as a confined space when it reaches a height of four feet and is completely enclosed except for a manhole. In this scenario, there is no risk in using a grinder of any voltage.
Therefore, any voltage can be used in a confined space, subject to the discretion of the permit issuer.
However, it is advisable to use low voltage not only in confined spaces but in general, due to the restrictions present in confined spaces.
Hence, in the case of a metallic tank, vessel, cyclone, or any other confined space, you can use 230-volt electricity under the specified conditions.
I hope this clarifies all your doubts.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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Before delving deeper into the query, have you ever come across any act, rule, or statute specifying the allowable voltage in a confined space?
Now, let's address the issue: why are we concerned about electricity and its voltage in a confined space?
Upon analysis, the reasons are:
1. As an ignition source
2. Possible electrical shock/electrocution
In confined spaces, hot work such as arc welding is often permitted. In such cases, there is no need to worry about electricity or its voltage as a source of ignition.
To protect against electrical shock, we implement all necessary safety measures such as heavy-duty and double-insulated cords with no splicing, deadman's switch, GFCI, isolation unit, grounding, and more.
If the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) is zero and absolute precautions are taken, voltage is not a determining factor, provided the work is carried out under competent supervision and with the necessary permits in place.
A tank under construction qualifies as a confined space when it reaches a height of four feet and is completely enclosed except for a manhole. In this scenario, there is no risk in using a grinder of any voltage.
Therefore, any voltage can be used in a confined space, subject to the discretion of the permit issuer.
However, it is advisable to use low voltage not only in confined spaces but in general, due to the restrictions present in confined spaces.
Hence, in the case of a metallic tank, vessel, cyclone, or any other confined space, you can use 230-volt electricity under the specified conditions.
I hope this clarifies all your doubts.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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Dear Sir,
First of all, thank you for the detailed reply. There is a provision in the act regarding the allowable voltage inside confined spaces. Please go through it below.
As per the Factories Act 1948, Section 36a, precautions regarding the use of portable electric light state the following:
- In any factory:
(a) No portable electric light or any other electric appliance of voltage exceeding twenty-four volts shall be permitted for use inside any chamber, tank, vat, pit, pipe, flue, or other confined space unless adequate safety devices are provided; and
(b) If any inflammable gas, fume, or dust is likely to be present in such chamber, tank, vat, pit, pipe, flue, or other confined space, no lamp or light other than that of flame-proof construction shall be permitted to be used therein.
This implies that we may use voltage higher than 24 volts with special precautions and approval. Alternatively, as safety professionals, we may generally suggest using 24V for confined spaces always.
With regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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First of all, thank you for the detailed reply. There is a provision in the act regarding the allowable voltage inside confined spaces. Please go through it below.
As per the Factories Act 1948, Section 36a, precautions regarding the use of portable electric light state the following:
- In any factory:
(a) No portable electric light or any other electric appliance of voltage exceeding twenty-four volts shall be permitted for use inside any chamber, tank, vat, pit, pipe, flue, or other confined space unless adequate safety devices are provided; and
(b) If any inflammable gas, fume, or dust is likely to be present in such chamber, tank, vat, pit, pipe, flue, or other confined space, no lamp or light other than that of flame-proof construction shall be permitted to be used therein.
This implies that we may use voltage higher than 24 volts with special precautions and approval. Alternatively, as safety professionals, we may generally suggest using 24V for confined spaces always.
With regards,
Dipil Kumar V
From India
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Dear Keshav, The definition of Occupational health is The conditions and factors that affect the well being of the personnel including visitors, contractors.
From India, Mumbai
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From India, Mumbai
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Dear Pradosha Sukhla,
Already, Mr. Dipil gave some suggestions to you. You may follow the attached link too; hope you will get various PPTs.
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Dear Dipil,
Thanks for the quick response on our new member query. Keep up the good work.
From United States, Fpo
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Already, Mr. Dipil gave some suggestions to you. You may follow the attached link too; hope you will get various PPTs.
#axzz1WYvKE0TU
Dear Dipil,
Thanks for the quick response on our new member query. Keep up the good work.
From United States, Fpo
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