Manholes are the sources of confined space to inspect the drainage system and access underground public utilities like electricity, gas, telephones, and more. We will talk about today how we often see holes on the road or sidewalks with round covers. We never tried to find out the complete function of these holes. What is the purpose of this access to the underground sewer line or sewer pipes? These holes are maintenance holes that the servant could easily descend to the bottom line.
Confined space
Such areas were limited or restricted entry or exit access, where the workers enter, work in, and exit from that confined space. Confined spaces include manholes, tunnels, pipelines, sewers, chambers, silos, etc. Confined spaces are dangerous due to harmful gases, low oxygen levels, and an explosive atmosphere.
Therefore manholes can be classified into the following according to their depth.
- Shallow manhole
These utility holes are used for inspection. The depth of these manholes is 75 cm to 90 cm, with a light utility hole cover.
- Â Â Â Â Normal Manholes
These manholes have thick manhole covers, and the depth of these manholes is 90 cm to 150 cm.
- Â Â Â Â Deep Manholes
The depth of deep maintenance holes is above 150 cm and have a heavy maintenance hole cover
The Cause of the Manholes Explosions
The cause of the manhole explosion is the harmful gases or explosive atmosphere in the manhole’s tunnels, pipelines, and sewers. These gases build up pressure. Therefore, underground electrical wires, like a bolt of lightning & ignition gases, cause a powerful manholes explosion. Thus due to these explosions, a manhole cover can become a missile when blasted out of the ground.
In Pakistan, it is common to see that the space between manholes is insufficient to get the head, hands, and body inside. As a result, the workers are forced to climb down by sliding and hanging on the manhole cover. This often leads to severe injuries and even death. To avoid such incidents, it is necessary to protect workers from potential dangers. This protection can be done by installing a cage around the manhole cover or using a shaft protector that provides safe access.
Confined Space Explosion
First, when it comes to the danger of manhole explosions and confined spaces, people often think that only their social media friends are in trouble. A wide range of people can be caught off guard by an explosion or blocked access to an exit point.
Fires can happen at any time. It is always prudent to not only take precautions to prevent one from starting but to be prepared for the unthinkable event should one start to develop.
Your company needs to have procedures to deal with fire, evacuation, and rescue concerns. Here are a few ideas to consider regarding confined space dangers and manhole explosions:
Be Mindful of Your Work Environment
If you work in a confined space or confined areas, there is a chance of limited air supply. Your oxygen is cut off while you are working in the space.
When the fire crew arrived, they reported that a manhole cover had flown into the air. The responded crews put on their SCBA and searched the area for victims and survivors. Once complete, fire station crews began to ventilate the local area. Crews also moved bystanders to a safe distance away from the confined space. Animal Rescue by the Rescue 1122
Hi, I am John Smit a Captain in Fire Department City of Newyork with over years of experience in the field of Firefighting and HSE. My passion for fire safety started when I was a young boy and witnessed a neighbor’s house go up in flames along with precious lives. Since then, I had dedicated my life to ensuring the safety of buildings, properties, and individuals in case of a fire and medical emergencies.