Which practice is required for manhole safety in confined space work?

• A. Use of a blower to ventilate
• B. Operators wear safety harnesses, and standby help
• C. Installing manholes at every pipe change
• D. Testing for gases with approved instruments

Answer: (B)

Entering a manhole safely hinges on having a rescue-ready plan: workers must wear a safety harness connected to a lifeline while a trained standby person is outside, ready to assist or perform a rescue if something goes wrong. This setup ensures rapid extraction and reduces the risk of a worker becoming trapped or unable to respond to an emergency.

Ventilating with a blower and testing the air with approved instruments are essential safety measures in confined-space work, as they address air quality and hazards, but they don’t by themselves provide the immediate rescue capability that a harness with a standby helper offers. Installing manholes at every pipe change isn’t a safety requirement for manhole work and isn’t about the immediate safety procedure during entry.