3.32. Occupational Safety Regulatory Standards (NRs): NR 33 - Safety and Health at Work in Confined Spaces

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Normas Regulamentadoras, also known as NRs, are guidelines established by the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) of Brazil. They are intended to ensure the safety and health of workers in their respective work areas. In this context, NR 33 is one of the most important, as it refers to Safety and Health at Work in Confined Spaces.

A confined space is defined as any area or environment not designed for continuous human occupancy, which has limited means of entry and exit, where existing ventilation is insufficient to remove contaminants, or where oxygen deficiency or enrichment may exist. Common examples of confined spaces include silos, tanks, pipes, wells, and more.

NR 33 establishes the minimum requirements for the identification of confined spaces, the recognition, evaluation, monitoring and control of existing risks, in order to permanently guarantee the safety and health of workers who interact directly or indirectly in these spaces.

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The standard stipulates that companies must implement a confined space management program, which includes measures to prevent accidents, safe procedures and practices for working in confined spaces, worker training, and rescue and first aid procedures in case of emergency.

Worker training is a fundamental part of NR 33. The standard requires that all workers authorized to enter confined spaces are properly trained to understand the risks to which they are exposed, how to prevent unauthorized entry, and how to recognize signs of exposure to serious risks, such as lack of oxygen, presence of toxic or flammable gases, among others.

In addition, NR 33 also requires companies to maintain an entry supervisor, whose role is to ensure that security procedures are followed and that the confined space is safe to enter. The entry supervisor is also responsible for canceling entry permission when a confined space is unsafe to work in.

In the event of an emergency, NR 33 requires that companies have established rescue and first aid procedures and that all workers be properly trained to carry them out. This includes using rescue equipment and conducting periodic rescue drills to ensure all workers know what to do in an emergency.

In short, NR 33 is a crucial standard to ensure the safety and health of workers working in confined spaces. It sets out a series of requirements that companies must follow, including implementing a confined space management program, conducting regular training for workers and supervisors, and maintaining rescue and first aid procedures in an emergency.< /p>

Understanding and following NR 33 is essential to prevent accidents and ensure a safe work environment for all workers. This is why it is so important that companies and workers take safety at work in confined spaces seriously and strive to comply with all provisions of NR 33.

We hope this e-book course can help you better understand NR 33 and implement safe work practices in your company or workplace. Remember, workplace safety is everyone's responsibility.

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363.33. Occupational Safety Regulatory Standards (NRs): NR 34 - Working Conditions and Environment in the Naval Construction and Repair Industry