Confined Spaces

This training tool should be used to help educate everyone on the dangers of working in confined spaces and how best to assess risks and minimise injuries.

What is a Confined Space?

A confined space is defined as:

“Any place including any chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, sewer, flue, well or other similar place in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable specified risk”.

A confined space is any place, which, because of its enclosed nature, presents hazards not normally seen in an open workplace.

It could be an enormous space (i.e. a freight container), or even a normal workroom could also become a confined space, if there is little ventilation and hazardous substances are present.

Confined Space Regulations

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Under domestic law employers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their employees and others. This responsibility is reinforced by:

The Confined Space Regulations 1997

These regulations apply where the assessment identifies risks of serious injury from working in confined spaces.

What are the hazards?

Entry into confined spaces is extremely hazardous. On average, 15 people die each year in a confined space as a result of such things as:

• Reduced oxygen levels• Poisonous gases• Noxious fumes• Vapours• Fire• Explosions• Excessive heat

Other dangers may include flooding/drowning or asphyxiation from some other source such as dust, grain or other contaminants.

Confined Space Case Study

Having identified a fault in a crane’s hydraulics, two men accessed a closed compartment. Within a minute of entering the compartment, one had passed out and the other was feeling lightheaded but managed to escape. Two others entered and tried to save the first man but were both overcome. The three men were extracted by the emergency service but two of them died. How could it have been avoided?Water had got into the compartment causing rusting, which depleted the oxygen levels. Had the oxygen levels been checked, the space could have been ventilated and the deaths could have been avoided. 

A Safe Working Environment

If you work in confined spaces, your employer will provide you with information, instruction and training. Training will include:

•An outline of the requirements of the related legislation.•The need to avoid entry into a confined space unless authorised to do so.•Details of the work to be carried out.•The hazards and risks associated with the work.•The safety precautions and procedures.•The safe system of work, including any permits

to work.•Information on emergencies, including how they arise and the importance of following the emergency procedures.•Specific instruction to never attempt a rescue unless trained and authorised to do so.•Personal responsibilities of all those involved in entry and confined spaces.

Confined Space Signage

To assist in determining whether a confined space exist, signs should have been erected at various locations.

Some signs clearly mark an area as a confined space; others indicate that a confined space situation could exist (dependant on the work being undertaken) and that the code guidelines need to be followed and a decision made as to whether a confined space situation exists.

Your Responsibilities

You have a responsibility to:

• Take reasonable care for your own heath and safety and that of others

• Co-operate with your employer on health and safety matters

• Follow health and safety instructions

• Report dangerous situations immediately

• Attend all relevant training