Following the introduction in April 2005 of the revised process for working in confined spaces further guidance needs to be given to people working in the external underground network.
Field Services initially stated that only people who had been trained and equipped to work in confined space could enter these underground structures. Therefore, those who were neither, trained or equipped could not enter or work within these structures. This meant that all work proved into a confined space should be passed to 2nd Stage Repair who had the necessary trained and equipped staff.
A number of difficulties were subsequently identified with this approach namely, not all jobs passed back were in fact within a confined space and those that were within a confined space were often flooded and/or silted and needed cleared before any work could be done by the 2nd Stage teams.
In an effort to address these issues Customer Service Engineers were being asked to open the underground structure to ascertain whether it was in fact a confined space and if there was any clearing of water and/or silt required prior to passing the job back to 2nd Stage. No consultation with the CWU had been undertaken prior to this process being introduced.
Arising from enquiries to the Branch Office and concerns about the confusing message now being given out about opening, entering and working within underground structures that are covered by the confined space process we have spoken to Field Service Management and CWU Head Office in an attempt to understand the problem and identify solutions.
The Branch therefore gives the following advice to members working in CSE activities, before passing work to 2nd Stage due to confined spaces.
Check that the structure is a confined space, according to Field Services all engineers have completed the CBT on familiarisation of confined spaces. Make sure proper guarding, lifting and gas testing is undertaken. Check condition of chamber to establish if pumping/de-silting is required. This information should be appended to the job notes before passing on.
At no time once it has been established that the chamber is a confined space should you either enter or put your head below ground level to check the condition of the structure or raise cables to the surface unless you have been trained and equipped for working in confined spaces.
If you have any queries or encounter problems with the advice given above then please contact the Branch Office either by calling 0141 552 1066/0605 or email us by clicking on the following link mailto:branch@cwuglasgow.org
John Donnelly
Assistant Branch Secretary
7 October 2005