Emergency Management Hosts Confined Space Training

A confined space training unit was delivered for use by area officials this past week.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Area agencies and municipalities took some time this past week to educate themselves on confined entry training.

Many workplaces contain areas that are considered “confined spaces” because while they are not necessarily designed for people, they are large enough for workers to enter and perform certain jobs. A confined space also has limited or restricted means for entry or exit and is not designed for continuous occupancy. Confined spaces include, but are not limited to, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, pits, manholes, tunnels, equipment housings, ductwork, pipelines, etc.

Mahaska County Emergency Manager Jamey Robinson said that the training was made available by a special grant from the LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee), which Mahaska County is a part of. There are over forty confined spaces at one local employer alone.

The confined entry training was also utilized with HAZMAT training components to help further refine the new team. During the Monday class alone, 15 individuals took part in the training exercise.

The nearly year-old HAZMAT Team has responded to two full calls since its inception. The team has also responded to numerous requests, by individuals and businesses, for assistance with materials that may be or are hazardous and in how to dispose of those materials.

Robinson said that other counties are now looking towards Mahaska County and their HAZMAT team as a possible model for implementation in their own counties.