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.