Environments that are potentially polluted and confined spaces
Italian Presidential Decree n. 177 of 14 September 2011 regulates work activities in environments in which pollution is suspected, according to articles 66 and 121 of d.lgs 81/08, and work activities in confined spaces, pursuant to Annex IV, point 3 of the same d.lgs 81/08. DPR 177/2011 specifies the procedures for the certification of companies which carry out activities in this type of work environment, together with the general safety procedures to be applied to these activities.
Activities
Supporting the client company in carrying out an assessment of risks and in updating documentation
Although it dates back to 2011, the subject matter of Presidential Decree 177/11 is often underestimated or unfamiliar to companies, as these issues are usually only associated with large companies specialising in the oil and gas sector. Work activities in environments that may be polluted or in confined spaces are more common than is usually thought, and frequently companies find that they lack the mandatory documentation envisaged in Legislative Decree 81/08 and Presidential Decree 177/11. PLS S.r.l. provides all companies with advice on the identification and correct classification of the environments within their facilities, working with the Employer and the HSE department in order to supplement company documentation and draw up a correct risk assessment of the various phases of the activities carried out – entry into the environment, work activities, exit and potential rescue – to be transmitted to future companies also involved in carrying out these activities.
Representative of the Contracting Employer (“RDdLC”)
One of the requirements in article 3 of DPR 177/11 is for the Employer of the contracting company to appoint a “representative who possesses adequate experience and qualifications in workplace health and safety […], the representative is responsible for directing and coordinating the activities carried out within confined spaces by the contracting companies’ workers”. The representative is a technical expert who is obliged to have taken the courses consisting of instruction, training and practical exercises as envisaged in Article 2 of the Decree and must be aware of the risks present in the places where the activities are planned. Our technical experts at PLS S.r.l. can be appointed by the Contracting employer to take on this role. They are qualified to carry out the activities envisaged, including a mutual exchange of information regarding the work environments and the risks, involving the contracting company and the contractors in order to comply with the legal obligations and manage the scheduled activities in complete safety.