Attendant

The Attendant in confined space work can be a valuable asset. The proper use of an attendant can make the project better, faster and less expensive. The trick is to understanding why the Attendant is there and what role they play in the job. One or more of the following roles can be put together to make an Attendant Job Description that works:

a) Hazard monitoring
b) Equipment operator
c) Crew helper
d) Initiator of an emergency response plan
e) Rescuer
f) Paperwork completer

            The process of determining the role of the Attendant begins with the supervisor looking at the task that will be done in the confined space. They need to review what skills are required, the steps involved, the tools needed, etc.. Once the project is figured out, the hazards for the job should become evident. The job may have built in hazards such as noise and dust, which would be rendered harmless with the implementation of protective systems. Other hazards like unauthorized entry, chemical or gas exposure, fires starting and housekeeping may occur during the job and you may need an Attendant present to recognize them and then implement proper control techniques. An Attendant has the training knows the procedures so that they are able to react and prevent a situation that would cause injury or delay production.

            Once the hazards are identified, the supervisor needs to select a number of hazard control systems. Examples include lock outs and lighting, but other control systems, like ventilation systems, gas detectors and barrier systems, may need someone to operate them. The Attendant learns the reason why that control was selected, as well as what to look for to determine if it is doing it’s job. This information would enable the Attendant to enhance the protective systems as things change during the job. In addition, by earning some simple troubleshooting tips and maintenance it would lessen the workload on the work crew or those in supervisory/support roles.

            Emergency situations will influence not only the position of the Attendant (right outside the space vs removed from the entry point) but the expertise the Attendant should have to deal with these situations. Having the Attendant role to only initiate the emergency response does limit the equipment and the amount of training needed to be the Attendant, but it does not fully utilize their advantages. For instance, in situations where speed because the possible injuries are immediately life threatening (eg. respiratory arrest), the Attendant at the entry point will provide the fastest response. Attendant training could include handling specific situations speeding response or reducing the need for extra personnel. But to respond in any role, they must be able to see/hear the event occur.

 

Most confined space regulations ask for someone outside the space intending them to initiate a rescue if an emergency does occur. However to be effective, they must be able to see and/or hear the event taking place. However, the judicious use of technology can allow certain flexibility with the Attendant position. Current practice of placing the Attendant at the entry point of the confined space makes sense if the hazards can cause injuries that are immediately life threatening, or would prevent the worker themselves calling for help. However, as one goes through this process, you could find the potential of hazards developing may be remote, the types of injuries are minor and there are no other roles for the Attendant to complete. In these circumstances it would be difficult to justify positioning an attendant at the entry point of the confined space.

Training, procedures and supervision must be adequate to complete the paperwork or to make any decision required. If it isn’t, and things go wrong, it is management that still holds the liability. So, to utilize the Attendant role better, we need to have procedures detailing how to complete the roles which we want the Attendant to accomplish. In addition, we need them to have tools to do their job. Clipboard, pen and radio to call for help are the basics. Gas detectors, thermometers and other hazard measurement tools should also be available. Then there is ventilators, lighting, locks and other equipment to control the hazards inside the space. For emergencies, they may need retrieval systems and breathing apparatus. If they have to troubleshoot, clean or maintain equipment, they should have this gear available to them as well. They may face a hostile environment (cold or heat) requiring specialized clothing. They may be exposed to a potential fall situation requiring a harness and lanyard. To speed up the process, standardize your approach as to what the Attendants are required to do, centralize the gear in one spot and have a way to move it to the confined space entry point. Finally, they must be trained in the procedures as well as how to use the tools they are assigned. The investment made in this person’s equipment and training may be almost as much as your maintenance staff going into the space to perform a task.

So the question is, are you currently efficiently using your resources? Do you have someone fill out the paperwork, then have someone else do the gas test or hazard evaluation while the current Attendant is present or does the same person do everything? Is there a Guard at every confined space entry point no matter what or is each project evaluated and assignments made based on merit? Can the Attendant see or hear what is going on inside their confined space or is the role just for show? Is the Attendant’s primary skills needed elsewhere? Do you put one Attendant and one Rescuer at the entry point when the atmosphere has a known lethal concentration or do you combine these roles? Have you assumed the fire department going to perform your rescues or do you know they can? Is your Attendant properly supervised to ensure they are doing what they’re suppose to be doing or are they just left there? Every action or inaction has a direct cost. For instance, having a welder be an Attendant costs “a” dollars/hour. Having a production worker be an Attendant costs “b” dollars/hour. Contracting out the Attendant costs “c” dollars/hour. On the surface, the dollar/hour cost difference may seem negligible. However where the difference can be in the value of lost work the Attendant chosen cannot do because they are an Attendant. Perhaps that production worker rather than the welder provides more value being an Attendant.

Another cost difference is the level of training, knowledge and experience to perform all the tasks of the Attendant, maybe there is less turnover with your maintenance personnel so the training investment has a longer payback period. A third difference can be in the protective equipment used for the job. An outside contractor may be able to supply the equipment (and the costs of maintaining it) for less than you can. It is best to finish the project review with a cost benefit analysis. So in summary, yes you need to train, equip and position a guard so that they can perform the tasks you need done during the project. The Attendant role, if thought out, can be an efficient use of your valuable resources. It isn’t an easy solution because it does take time as well as trial and error. But it is worth the effort. You can prove the return on investment. You can take the guesswork out of the decisions you make. And you have the best decision possible during that 2:00 am crunch when you’re under intense pressure to get the job done no matter what. If the Attendant selection process is doing all this, they are making a positive contribution to the project which in turn creates job satisfaction at the same time as increasing worker protection.