Many workplaces contain spaces that are considered "confined" because their configurations hinder the activities of any employees who must enter, work in, and exit them. The hazards encountered and associated with entering and working in confined spaces are capable of causing bodily injury, illness, and death to the worker. Accidents occur among workers because of failure to recognize that a confined space is a potential hazard.

OSHA defines a confined space as any space that 1) Is large enough that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and 2) Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit; and 3) Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. Some examples of Confined Spaces include: tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits.

Other hazards can be found in confined spaces. OSHA uses the term "permit-required confined space" to describe those spaces that both meet the definition of "confined space" and pose health or safety hazards including but not limited to entrapment hazards, asphyxiating atmospheres, and moving parts of machinery.

Reasons for Entering Confined Spaces
Entering a confined space may be done for various reasons. It is done usually to perform a necessary function, such as inspection, repair, maintenance, or similar operations which would be an infrequent or irregular function of the total industrial activity.

One of the most difficult entries to control is that of unauthorized entry, especially when there are large numbers of workers and trades involved, such as welders, painters, electricians, and safety monitors.

A final and most important reason for entry would be emergency rescue. This, and all other reasons for entry, must be well planned before initial entry is made and the hazards must be thoroughly reviewed. The standby person and all rescue personnel should be aware of the structural design of the space, emergency exit procedures, and life support systems required.

Confined spaces may be encountered in virtually any occupation; therefore, their recognition is the first step in preventing fatalities. Since deaths in confined spaces often occur because the atmosphere is oxygen deficient or toxic, confined spaces should be tested prior to entry and continually monitored.

Training employees to recognize the hazards of confined spaces is the first step to protecting workers. Awareness training should be given to all employees. Workers who are required to enter confined spaces must be given advanced training in hazard recognition, the use of devices to test atmospheres, responsibilities as an entrant or attendant, and site-specific confined space hazards. Please see our training page for more information on Confined Space Training.

Hofman Safety and Industrial Hygiene Consulting, Inc.

Confined Space Evaluation