• Presidential Decree No. 177/2011 (Italian Law)
On November 23, 2011, the Presidential Decree of 14 September 2011 No. 177 came into force in Italy. It contains the regulation for the qualification of companies operating in environments suspected of being polluted or in neighbouring environments pursuant to art. 6, paragraph 8, letter g) of the Italian Legislative Decree 9 April 2008 No. 81. This decree introduces innovative measures to guarantee the protection of the safety and health of company workers who, offering their services, are often forced to operate in narrow and circumscribed places such as silos, tunnels, tanks, wells (so-called “confined spaces”).
Morino S.r.l. – leader in Italy in professional silo cleaning and emptying services for more than 30 years – operates in full compliance with this decree.
What does it involve?
The qualification of companies operating in confined environments (D.P.R. No. 177/2011) on the basis of the previous Italian Legislative Decree No. 81/2008, in particular: “specific risks in accessing silos, tanks and septic tanks, sewer collectors, purifiers and tanks used for the storage and transport of dangerous substances” (see in particular art. 66 of Italian Legislative Decree No. 81 of 9 April 2008: “Work in environments suspected of being polluted”).
Requirements
Some of the main requirements we have complied with or, in many instances, we were already compliant with:
- Staff (at least 30%), with at least three years’ experience relating to work in suspected polluted or confined spaces;
- Training and information courses, staff training regarding the application of safety procedures;
- Possession of suitable PPE, tools and work equipment and related training in their correct use;
- No recourse to subcontracting of these operations, except for exceptional waivers and with the issuing of specific authorizations.
Practical training exercise
Practical training exercise aimed at learning in accordance with the provisions of Italian Legislative Decree No. 81/08, Italian Presidential Decree No. 177/2011 and subsequent amendments.
The exercise took place by reviewing the protective devices and equipment provided for each type of emergency situation. With the help and participation of Croce Rossa Italiana – Regional Committee of Liguria “Rescue Vehicles and Special Techniques” sector it was subsequently carried out a training session relating to:
- Emergency management in a clean silo on the floor with removal of the injured person from the first manhole 1.20 x 0.80 m located above the slab of the shelter approximately 3 m from the floor
- Emergency management in clean silo from the slab placed on the top with a manhole of 0.80 m x 0.50 m
All our operators were involved in the execution of the entire training. You can see some photos of the exercise here on the side.
