Diving Into the Deep End: What it Takes to Safely Tackle Industrial Confined Space Cleaning
Cleaning is a fundamental fact of life. But while most people think of dusting shelves or mopping floors, there is an entire world of industrial confined space cleaning that happens where the sun doesn’t shine—literally. Facilities often require advanced techniques to safely clear out heavy buildup in these hazardous areas.
Descending 100 feet into a silo. The associate uses an internal cage ladder before transitioning to a Bosun’s chair with a dedicated work winch. A secondary safety winch remains attached to the harness, with ventilation supplied by a bottom-mounted COPPUS blower.
At Blackwell’s, Inc., we have been in the industrial maintenance business since 1983, partnering with some of the most well-known manufacturing and production facilities across the southeastern United States. These facilities rely on massive equipment, storage tanks, ovens, pits, silos, bins, ceilings, and ductwork to keep production moving. To maintain peak efficiency, these areas need periodic, deep cleaning.
But here is the catch: many of these areas require specialized confined space maintenance, falling under strict labor-safety regulations.
What Exactly is a Confined Space?
Conducting specialized confined space cleaning inside a massive industrial oven.
By definition, a confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed area that is not designed for continuous human occupancy and has limited or restricted means for entry or exit. Often, there is only one way in and one way out.
Examples of environments where we routinely perform confined space cleaning include:
- Underground vaults and manholes
- Storage bins, silos, and pits
- Pipelines and process vessels
- Industrial ovens and storage tanks
While the average person will never know what it feels like to crawl inside a massive industrial oven or scrub the interior of a chemical storage tank, our crews do it routinely. It’s the kind of gritty, intense work you used to see on episodes of Dirty Jobs.
Eyes on safety: Part of a larger silo crew, a Blackwell associate stands guard as the designated confined space attendant during operations.
These spaces can be dark, damp, incredibly tight, and inherently dangerous. Because of the challenging nature of industrial environments, we utilize advanced, non-abrasive methods like dry ice blasting, to clean efficiently without adding to the waste stream or damaging sensitive components. It takes a unique breed of professionals who have absolutely no fear of tight spaces or heights, and who know how to operate specialized blasting equipment safely.
Safety First: The Credentials Behind Our Crews
Because a confined space can contain hazardous atmospheres, engulfment risks, or other serious safety hazards, federal regulations mandate that only workers specially trained in confined space cleaning may enter them.
We are proud to say that Blackwell’s houses some of the most experienced, highly qualified industrial cleaning crews in the business. We don’t just send anyone into a tank; our associates are backed by an extensive list of licenses and certifications, including:
Our Safety & Technical Credentials | |
• Confined Space Certification | • First Aid/CPR Certification |
• Hazardous Materials Training | • PFP/FPP Training |
• LLP Safety Training Program | • HAZ-COM Training |
• Lock-out/Tag-out Certification | • CO2 Blasting Equipment Safety |
• Respirator Protection Certification | • Bloodborne Pathogens Certification |
Practice Makes Perfect: Inside Our Confined Space Simulator
How do we ensure our crews are truly ready for the high stakes of industrial environments? It starts with building a deep-rooted culture of safety, backed by intensive, hands-on training detailing exactly “what to do” and “what not to do.”
To take our training to the next level, the CEO of Blackwell’s, Inc. had the forethought to construct a custom-built confined space training simulator right at our facility.
Utilizing Blackwell’s custom-built simulator for hands-on confined space training.
This specialized simulator allows our associates to practice entering, working in, and exiting restricted environments safely before they ever step foot on a client’s job site. By replicating the real-world physical and mental challenges of tight spaces, we ensure that when our team tackles your facility’s toughest maintenance needs—whether it’s manual scrubbing or precision blasting—they do it with the highest level of precision, confidence, and safety.
Schedule Your Industrial Cleaning Services Today
If your facility has demanding, dangerous, or hard-to-reach areas that need the touch of an experienced professional, you don’t have to send your own team into harm’s way. That’s where we come in. Blackwell’s Inc. has the right people, the right technology, and the rigorous training required to handle your dirtiest jobs safely.
https://www.blackwells-inc.com/industrial-cleaning/confined-spaces/
Mike enriches Blackwell’s, Inc. with his extensive experience and unwavering dedication. Drawing on his tenure as a University of Georgia Extension Agent and Director, he expertly manages diverse responsibilities such as marketing, fleet management, and design. A pilot, diver, horseman, and tree farmer in his personal life, Mike is anchored by his strong Christian faith and the joy of his grandchildren, making him a truly vital team member.
