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Confined space definition: A confined space is an enclosed (or mostly enclosed) place in which workers are vulnerable to certain foreseeable risks – including loss of consciousness, asphyxiation, drowning, and serious injury caused by a fire or explosion.
Some places are permanently confined spaces, while others may become confined spaces under certain conditions. Note that a space does not necessarily have to be completely enclosed, difficult to enter/exit or even particularly small to count as a 'confined space' for health and safety purposes.
Examples of Confined Spaces
The following places are likely to be classed as 'confined spaces' under The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997:
- Tanks
- Silos
- Storage bins
- Manholes
- Sewers
- Pits
- Ductwork
- Tunnels and shafts
- Building voids
- Vats
Bear in mind that these places are not automatically confined spaces in every situation. To determine whether or not you're looking at a confined space, ask yourself: does the enclosed nature of this space create a foreseeable risk to workers operating within it?
The type of work that's taking place in an enclosed space can determine whether special precautions are needed. For example, if you're planning a job that will generate lots of fumes, an otherwise safe environment might become a hazardous 'confined space' due to the foreseeable risk of asphyxiation / loss of consciousness.
What Does the Law Say About Working in Confined Spaces?
Under UK health and safety law, employers are responsible for protecting their employees and other people who may be affected by their work. The aforementioned Confined Spaces Regulations apply in situations where an assessment identifies a risk of harm arising from a space's enclosed nature.
If you're an employer, you should:
- Avoid sending workers into confined spaces if there is a reasonably practical alternative (e.g. completing the work from outside the enclosed area)
- Carry out a full risk assessment and take suitable precautions if confined space entry is unavoidable
- Make sure your staff have been trained to work safely in confined spaces before you place them in a situation where this knowledge is required
- Have a robust rescue plan in place, just in case something goes wrong during confined space work
Your rescue plan should NOT simply be 'call the emergency services'. A suitable plan, trained personnel and any necessary rescue equipment should be in place before anybody enters a confined space.
What Equipment Is Needed to Work in Confined Spaces?
The equipment required will depend on the nature of the space, the type of work you're doing, and the outcome of your risk assessment. Here at Safety Liftin Gear, we stock dependable confined space equipment for a wide range of different purposes (including access, fall protection and rescue).
IMPORTANT: Equipment alone does not make a hazardous work situation safe. It's always safest to avoid working in confined spaces at all where possible; if confined space work can't be avoided, proper planning, staff training and a thorough risk assessment are just as crucial as the equipment you're relying on.
