Hazard Evaluation of Confined Space in Wastewater Treatment Facilities－Case Studies

• Main Authors: Hui-Chuan Wu, 吳惠娟
• Other Authors: 盧至人
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/59896490734311964045

碩士 === 國立中興大學 === 環境工程學系所 === 102 === A confined space is any space : (1) that has limited or restricted means of entry or exit, (2) is large enough for a person to entry to perform tasks, and (3) is not designed or configured for continuous occupancy. Therefore, wastewater treatment system, sewer, storage tank, reactor, etc., were identified as a confined space that can cause anoxia, toxic releasing, fire, thermal explosion, and fall hazard accidents because of lower oxygen concentration (LOC) of human (less than 18% O2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) toxic gas exposure. This study tried to analyze 17 accidents of confined space according to the investigation data from 2003 to 2012 of Council of Labor Affairs (CLA). According to those accidents in wastewater treatment plant, 31 passed away and 9 injuries were discovered and evaluated by investigator of CLA. Forty-seven percent of death was identified because of the confined space in this study. Therefore, this study was used to analyze the cause of hazard that was included as poor education and training (17 times), inadequate safety and health operating procedures (14 times), and poor auto-checking for safety and health plan (12 times) in this study. In view of loss prevention of confined space, the good emergency response, training and education, job safety analysis, and monitoring of wastewater treatment plant were identified and assessed as the effective methods for disaster prevention.