Confined Spaces Monitoring for Operations Safety and Efficiency – Phase II
NCMS Project #: 142087
Problem: Confined space areas with limited or restricted means for entry and exit pose hazards to workers who are required to perform maintenance and sustainment tasks in these areas. Many of these hazards are not readily apparent, creating a need to implement solutions that improve detection and mitigations in a timely and reliable manner.
Benefit: The positive gains from numerous aspects of this initiative can be applied and will easily translate toward other maintenance and sustainment confined spaces work throughout the public and private sectors, across a myriad of industries.
Solution/Approach: In the Phase I effort, a baseline test and evaluation was performed of the Navy Confined Spaces Monitoring System (CSMS). Using the results of this baseline test, an extended system design specification was produced to meet the Navy shipyard requirements. For Phase II, the project team will develop the CSMS design specification for a fully envisioned CSMS capability with testing for Naval shipyard operations.
Impact on Warfighter:
- Mitigate risks in confined spaces through more efficient and reliable monitoring
- Provide immediate notification if dangerous gases build up or other dangerous toxins to prevent a catastrophic event
- Increase productivity with safety improvements for workers
- Reduce maintenance and sustainment costs
DOD Participation:
- U.S. Navy
- U.S. Air Force (observer)
Industry Participation:
- Aptima, Inc.
- NCMS
Benefit Area(s):
- Cost savings
- Repair turn-around time
- Positive environmental impact
- Safety
- Improved readiness
Focus Area:
- Energy, environmental, health, and safety