Physical Hazards

Physical hazards cause the body to become stressed. Unlike atmospheric hazards, physical hazards can be detected through the senses.

Engulfment happens when a worker is buried or overcome by the unplanned release of material inside a confined space. Solid materials, such as soil, sand, gravel, sawdust, corn, grain, or flour, can be engulfment hazards. Liquid materials, such as water, slurries, oils, and other chemicals, can also be engulfment hazards.

Working around these types of materials can be very dangerous because workers can be crushed, drowned, or suffocated by material engulfment. Deaths have been reported in:

• Farm and grain silos
• Grain trucks
• Sawdust storage silos
• Trenches
• Culverts

To learn more about Firefighter Confined Space visit our Firefighter Confined Space Entry & Rescue Online Training web page.