Confined spaces have limited openings for entry and exit, such as silos, vats, ship holds, sewers, tunnels, large pipelines, and other such spaces that workers could enter to perform work.
The OHS Regulation defines a confined space as follows: "confined space", except as otherwise determined by the Board, means an area, other than an underground working, that
(a) is enclosed or partially enclosed,
(b) is not designed or intended for continuous human occupancy,
(c) has limited or restricted means for entry or exit that may complicate the provision of first aid, evacuation, rescue or other emergency response service, and
(d) is large enough and so configured that a worker could enter to perform assigned work.
Confined spaces: deadly spaces
This video is designed for municipal worker and illustrates the basic rules for working in confined spaces. Oxygen deficiency and other potential dangers are covered. In addition, the health effects and physical characteristics of toxic gases including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, and methane are examined.(12 min 56 s) Source: WorkSafeBC
Hazards in Confined Spaces
Entering an unventilated and untested confined space may pose a hazard that is immediately dangerous to life or health.
Toxic gases and/or lack of oxygen - Confined spaces may contain hazardous air contaminants that may be colourless, odourless gases that can only be detected with testing. Sometimes inert gases (such as nitrogen) displace oxygen so that the confined space is oxygen-deficient. Lack of oxygen can cause brain damage or heart failure in minutes.
Fire or explosion - Other hazards of confined spaces are flammable gases or vapours that ignite, causing an explosion or fire.
Engulfment - Workers have also been engulfed in loose materials such as grain, sand, or gravel in silos or storage bins.
Specific requirements for confined space entry exist that depend upon the hazard level of the atmosphere in the confined space. These requirements can be found at Regulation and Guidelines for Confined Spaces.
The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation defines the hazard levels of atmospheres in a confined space as follows:
"High Hazard Atmosphere" means an atmosphere that may expose a worker to risk of death, incapacitation, injury, acute illness or otherwise impair the ability of the worker to escape unaided from a confined space, in the event of a failure of the ventilation system or respirator.
"Moderate Hazard Atmosphere" means an atmosphere that is not clean respirable air but is not likely to impair the ability of the worker to escape unaided from a confined space, in the event of a failure of the ventilation system or respirator.
"Low Hazard Atmosphere" means an atmosphere which is shown by pre-entry testing or otherwise known to contain clean respirable air immediately prior to entry to a confined space and which is not likely to change during the work activity, as determined by a qualified person after consideration of the design, construction and use of the confined space, the work activities to be performed, and all engineering controls required by this Regulation.
Confined Space and the First Responder preview
Preview of safety video for responders who may be first on the scene of a confined space rescue.
" Connecticut Fire Academy - Confined Space Rescue Training"
Confined Space Entry
Confined space hazards are often quite complex. For assistance in preparing a written confined space entry program consult a qualified occupational health and safety professional.
General requirements for confined spaces include:
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Identify confined spaces - The employer must identify each confined space in the workplace, and determine whether the spaces will require entry by a worker.
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Prohibit entry - If a confined space exists at a workplace but no worker entry is required, the employer must ensure that each point of access to the confined space is secured against entry or identified by a sign or other effective means which indicates the nature of the hazard and the prohibition of entry, and that workers are instructed not to enter.
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Control hazards - Whenever possible engineering solutions should be implemented, such as robotic cameras for the inspection of tanks, to avoid entering confined spaces. Also, measures should be taken to convert spaces containing high or moderate hazard atmospheres to contain low hazard atmospheres. The employer must ensure that all confined space hazards are eliminated or minimized and that work is performed in a safe manner.
* Prepare and implement a confined space entry program
Before a worker is required or permitted to enter a confined space, the employer must prepare and implement a written confined space entry program which includes:
(a) an assignment of responsibilities,
(b) a list of each confined space or group of similar spaces and a hazard assessment of those spaces, and
(c) written safe work procedures for entry into and work in the confined space, that address, where applicable
identification and entry permits
lockout and isolation
verification and testing
cleaning, purging, venting or inerting
ventilation
standby persons
rescue
lifelines, harnesses and lifting equipment
personal protective equipment and other precautions
coordination of work activities
DOWNLOAD CONFINED SPACES WORK SAFETY GUIDELINE
Confined Space Entry Workshop
This document discusses the hazards of confined space entry, testing before entering, what should be tested for, and the regulations for confined space. Source: WorkSafeBC
* PDF (1 MB)
Hazards of Confined Spaces
"This book describes the main types of hazards found in confined spaces. Confined spaces may contain hazardous atmospheres, including insufficient oxygen, toxic (poisonous) air, or an explosive atmosphere. These spaces may also have physical hazards that may result, for example, in workers falling, being crushed or buried, or drowning. These hazards may not be obvious. All confined spaces must be carefully assessed to identify any hazards." Source: WorkSafeBC
* PDF (596 KB)
Confined Space Entry Program: A Reference Manual
This book describes measures used to control hazards in confined spaces. It is written for employers, owners, managers, supervisors, and joint committees in workplaces where there are confined spaces. It can be used as a reference to develop your confined space entry program and to assist you with meeting the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. This book also will be helpful to workers who may need to enter a confined space. Source: WorkSafeBC
* PDF (783 KB)
Updated: April 2007
Entering Confined Spaces
"Confined space accidents are rare, but they can have deadly consequences --- fast. Workers entering an oxygen-deficient confined space can lose consciousness within a couple of breaths." Source: WorkSafeBC
* PDF (103 KB)
Is It Safe to Enter a Confined Space?
"This Confined Space Guide has been developed to explain the hazards of confined space work and to assist employers in establishing and maintaining an effective confined space program ... The Confined Space Guide contains information, definitions, and requirements for entry into permit-required confined spaces (Section 5157) ... To clarify and facilitate the understanding of confined space issues, the guide presents the information in the format of questions and answers and includes a list of the most frequently asked questions." Source: California State Department of Industrial Relations
* PDF (3 MB)
A Guide to Safety in Confined Spaces
"This manual provides information on recognition of confined spaces and their hazards, and specific safe work practices for testing, monitoring, and ventilating the atmosphere; isolation of energy sources (lockout-tagout); respirators; standby/rescue; and addressing general physical hazards such as temperature extremes, engulfment hazards, slick surfaces, and noise. A checklist for confined space entry is appended." Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
* PDF (325 KB)
Safe Work in Confined Spaces
"This leaflet is aimed at employers and the self-employed who carry out work in confined spaces, and forms part of HSE's commitment to make simple and practical guidance available for small firms." Source: Health and Safety Executive, UK
* PDF (240 KB)
A Guide to Working Safely in Confined Spaces
This industry guide is aimed at employers, workers and self-employed persons who carry out work associated with confined spaces. Source: Queensland Workplace Health and Safety
* PDF (895 KB)
Permit-Required Confined Spaces
"The term permit-required confined space (i.e., permit space) refers to those spaces that meet the definition of a "confined space" and contain health or safety hazards, thereby requiring a permit for entry." Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
* PDF (154 KB)
Planning Entry and Working Safely in a Confined Space
"Confined spaces have been likened to a serial killer. Year after year, people die when entering confined spaces to carry out work. In some cases, multiple fatalities occur when would-be rescuers enter the space and become victims themselves." Source: Occupational Safety and Health, Government of New Zealand
* PDF (268 KB)
Work Permits
"A work permit is a written form used to authorize jobs that expose workers to serious hazards...Examples of the jobs needing work permits are those requiring employees to enter and work in confined spaces, to repair, maintain or inspect electrical installations or to use large or complex equipment." Source: Industrial Accident Prevention Association
* PDF (185 KB)
Safe Working in a Confined Space
"Working in a confined space is potentially one of the most dangerous of all workplace hazards. It's been calculated that working in a confined space is 150 times more dangerous than doing the same job outside." Source: Occupational Safety and Health, Government of New Zealand
* PDF (340 KB)
CONFINED SPACES WORK SAFETY GUIDELINE [THAI VERSION]
