Chapter 16 Confined spaces

Confined spaces can be extremely hazardous environments with the potential for multiple fatalities. Hazards arise as a result of the nature of confined spaces which either because of their design, function, location and/or what they contain have the capacity to contain and accumulate air contaminants (including explosive gases), prevent the free circulation and change of air, trap and insulate against heat dissipation and, in particular circumstances, present a flooding hazard to workers inside. When any of these conditions arise, the whole of the confined space environment is compromised, as is the safety of those working in or near the confined space.

Confined spaces are defined as containing or having the potential to contain one or more specified risks that by definition are particular to, and only exist in, confined spaces. As we explore these hazards and how to eliminate and control the work activities we will deal only with these risks, however the reader should bear in mind that many other hazards will also exist in respect of any particular confined space that they encounter. These hazards must also be considered as part of the assessment and appropriate controls put in place, as failure to consider them may precipitate the confined space incident that your controls were designed to prevent.