Safety: Unsafe Assumptions, Part 6

May 19, 2014
So that you can always walk out of a confined entry space, here are five assumptions you should never make.

False assumptions about confined entry can put you into a “Hotel California” situation. You may check out, but you’ll never leave (alive anyhow). So that you can always walk out of a confined entry space, here are five assumptions you should never make.

  • “If the permit was good yesterday, it’s good today.” Your confined entry permit is good only for the time stated on the permit. If the permit has expired, don’t enter without a new permit. And remember, this is your permit.
  • “The permit applies to everything beyond this door.” Read carefully what area the permit describes. It might not even cover the area where you need to work.
  • “As long as I check the important items, I’ll be fine.” If it’s on the permit, it’s important. Personally make sure every condition of the permit is satisfied.
  • “Whoever wrote the permit thought of all hazards.” A confined entry permit addresses only specific types of hazards. It doesn’t, for example, address electrical hazards.
  • “I’ll be quick.” Famous last words.

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