Confined Spaces
A confined space is any space of an enclosed nature where there is a risk of serious injury or death from hazardous substances or dangerous conditions.
Examples of confined spaces include:
- storage tanks
- process vessels
- storage bins
- silos
- flues and ducts
- sewers and drains
- excavations
- tunnels.
A confined space may also be created by leakage of toxic gas in an enclosed area or a poorly ventilated room.
Working in a confined space is hazardous because of the following possible hazards:
- flammable substances
- toxic fumes or vapours
- oxygen enrichment or deficiency
- ingress of liquids
- excessive heat
- flooding and/or drowning
- asphyxiation from dust, grain or other contaminant.
Worldwide, people are killed or seriously injured in confined spaces each year. these occur across a wide range of industries and involve complex plant as well as simple storage vessels.
To ensure safety, an organisation must make sure that a safe system of work is developed and put into practice. Workers working in a confined space must be adequately informed, instructed and trained in the relevant safe system of work, safety equipment and rescue arrangements.
To reduce the risks from working in a confined area:
- determine if the work can be carried out without the need to enter
- establish a safe system of work, if entry to a confined space is unavoidable
- put in place adequate emergency arrangements before the work starts.
Did you know…?
More than half of all workplace confined space fatalities involve workers trying to rescue their colleagues.