Vehicle Inspection PIT Safety

 

THE DANGERS OF INSPECTION PITS

1. As per UK Confined Spaces Regulations 1997(Approved Code of Practice, Regulations and guidance) - guidance -1 states, “Under these Regulations a ‘confined space’ must have both of the following defining features: (a) it must be a space which is substantially (though not always entirely) enclosed; and (b) one or more of the specified risks must be present or reasonably foreseeable”

 

2. Inspection pits come under confined space as these are substantially enclosed (2.5m deep by 1.0m wide and 3.5m long) and carry specified risks like fire and asphyxiation hazards

 

3. On Inspection pits Vehicles are often left idling while the workers carry out engine, exhaust condition and emission checks due to which Asphyxiation and Explosion hazards are present due to the accumulation of combustion gases and the displacement of oxygen also The inspection pits with flammable liquids can release vapours and displace oxygen causing asphyxiation and potential ignition can cause fire to erupt

 

4. Vehicles arriving at the workshop can have petrol or diesel fuel tanks that need to be drained when repair work is to be carried out near a vehicle’s tank. These activities can create flammable vapour concentration at high levels which can create asphyxiation and explosion hazards in the inspection pit

 

5. Excess heat conditions due to inadequate ventilation in the inspection pits, circulation of hot gases in the inspection pit emanating from running engine risk is increased by the usage of personal protective equipment – this can cause unconsciousness

 

6. The inspection pits are below ground level which results in inflammable liquids making way into the inspection pit due to accidental leakages from adjoining work areas or spillages – resulting in fire/asphyxiation

 

7. Toxic gases are released during engine idling will have consequences on health both acute and chronic as these can accumulate in the inspection pit – can result in asphyxiation/unconsciousness

CONTROLS REQUIRED AT INSPECTION PITS

1. Workers in the inspection pit should a provision to escape at the other end opposite to access steps, long vehicles can occupy the entire space, and any fire/ ingress of liquid near to access steps will make the person in the inspection pit get trapped

 

2. Before placing any vehicles on the inspection pit, the Inspection pit should be cleared of any spills/rags contaminated with oils/ dust and ensure no flammable atmosphere is present

 

3. Ensuring no open fuel containers (or) Body filler containers are kept near the inspection pit

 

4. Using of air blow guns (or) projecting air blow guns towards the inspection pit

 

5. Only using hand lamps suitable and certified for explosion protection to be used in the inspection pit

 

6. The inside of the Inspection pit should be painted with light colors like white to have a maximum reflection of light coupled with a proper explosion proof lighting system will decrease the usage of hand lamps considerably

 

7. All activities that have the potential to generate dust, vapors, and mist are as far as practically achievable, like welding, flame cutting, sanding operations etc from the inspection pit

 

8. Ensuring Workers in the inspection pit have a provision to escape at the other end opposite to access steps when long vehicles can occupy the entire space

 

9. Usage of all required Personal protective equipment while going into the inspection pit

 

10. Provision of proper exhaust extraction system when vehicle idling is done

 

11. During any major spillages (or) sudden development of vapour concentration anywhere near the pit should be immediately intimated to the workers inside the pit and make him evacuate the pit

 

12. After Ensuring all the spillage is cleaned and cleared of all vapour then only the worker can go inside the inspection pit

 

13. Usage of tools that do not generate sparks while working in the inspection pit

 

14. Prohibiting access to unauthorized persons or untrained persons for entering the inspection pit Workers are advised to have enough water from getting dehydrated due to heat exhaustion before going into the confined space. The floor on the pit should be free from slips, like providing no-skid surfaces. The flooring around the pit is to ensure that it is slip resistant

 

15. Provision of temporary handrails (which can be removed on drive-through inspection pits ) on access steps for properly securing and balancing with hand while getting down into inspection pits

 

16. The loose grip coverings on the steps for inspection pits are an indication of no adequate cleaning of chemical and oil spills which are contaminating and loosening the grip coverings, proper and adequate cleaning schedule on a timely basis to be implemented, this will prevent accidental slips and falls

 

17. Slip-resistant coatings can be added to access steps to prevent slips and falls into inspection pits

 

18. The exposed opening of the inspection pit when the vehicle size is small should be provided with a movable platform bridge that acts both as a cover and to carry out repair. When the pit is not in use, a cover over the pit is to be used and the pit covering can be adjusted based on the length of the vehicle

 

19. A trained and competent person should drive the vehicles onto the inspection pits, untrained persons should not attempt it. The pits should not be accessible to the outside persons who are not meant for working there

 

20. Housekeeping is to be of utmost priority with tools and items should not be left at pit edges. They can fall onto the workers working in the inspection pit or can skid vehicles. Tidy floors and cleaning the spillages immediately can reduce or eliminate slips and falls

 

21. The inspection pit should be restricted access, and only workers who are trained to work there are to be allowed. The pit edges should be barricaded with guard rails or barriers

 

22. The walkways around the pit should be properly painted so that people can stay on the designated walkways and provision required signages like “open pit danger”. These warning signs coupled with the painted floor will ensure people are more careful

Article by PJ Mohan

Sr.Faculty, NIFS

Disclaimer:  The information represented above is only guidance for students/HSE practitioners for getting some information relevant to the rules. The information represented above does not constitute professional advice and cannot be quoted or used for any application purpose (or) statutory requirements (or) dispute resolution.