Article for Safe to Work.
The confined spaces of an operation represent a unique air-quality challenge due to the nature of the materials and processes.
Confined space entry remains one of the most hazardous activities in mining operations.
Whether accessing tanks, hoppers, sumps or process vessels, workers face a high-risk environment where dust, toxic gases and oxygen-deficient atmospheres can accumulate quickly and unpredictably, posing an often-underestimated threat to worker health.
A best-practice approach means more than minimum compliance; it requires safety professionals to embed dust suppression and respiratory protection into a broader risk management framework, one that integrates planning, engineering, monitoring and emergency readiness that aligns with access and egress methodologies.
In a mining environment, confined spaces are uniquely challenging due to the nature of the materials and processes involved. Dust generated through cutting, grinding, maintenance or simply disturbing residual build-up can linger in still air, potentially exposing workers to hazardous particles that damage lungs and increase the risk of long-term illness. Confined spaces, with limited access, poor natural ventilation, and potential for rapid atmospheric change, magnify the risk. The presence of oxygen-deficient air, flammable vapours or toxic gases like hydrogen sulphide or carbon monoxide pose further risks.
This complex environment demands a multi-layered control strategy, one built on strong risk assessment, robust planning and a commitment to continuous monitoring and response.
Best practice starts with treating confined space hazards as a high-consequence risk, requiring controls that are proactive and resilient. While standards such as AS 2865 (Confined Spaces), AS/NZS 1715 (Respiratory Protection), and the Model WHS Regulations provide a framework, they must be applied with context-specific insight and a willingness to go further when risk justifies it.
In mining, best practice means looking beyond administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) to engineer risk out of the task such as whether a dusty process can be performed outside the space, or substituted with a safer alternative. Where entry is unavoidable, the focus shifts to controlling the environment and equipping workers with the knowledge, tools and support to manage respiratory risks.
Reducing airborne hazards through physical control of dust at the source, such as integrating water-based suppression systems, can significantly reduce the release of fine particles into the air.
Vacuum extraction also plays a critical role. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration, combined with explosion-proof equipment, allows for safe removal of dust without the risks associated with compressed air blowdowns, which often spread contaminants rather than remove them.
Tailored ventilation in mining must be planned, not improvised. Applying forced air, either as extraction to create negative pressure or as clean air supply, ensures continuous airflow and prevents stagnation.
Where residual risk remains, respiratory protective equipment (RPE) becomes essential with selected equipment that matches the hazard, fits the worker, compliments other PPE without compromising performance.
Properly fitted P2 or P3 filters are the minimum requirement for most dust hazards, but higher-risk environments may demand powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), while supplied-air respirators (SARs) or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) are mandatory in oxygen-deficient or unknown atmospheres.
Crucially, all RPE use must be supported by a formal respiratory protection program. That means conducting fit-testing, training workers, maintaining equipment, and regularly reviewing performance.
Effective risk management continues through real-time monitoring, clear communication and embedded emergency capability. Atmospheric testing must be performed before and during entry, not just for dust but for oxygen levels and toxic gases.
Permits should reflect a deep understanding of the task, space and risk controls. They should require validation of controls, confirmation of ventilation effectiveness, and assurance that rescue capability is in place and ready to respond.
Emergency planning, especially in mining, must factor in respiratory protection for rescuers as well.
The Working at Heights Association of Australia’s (WAHA) position underscores the importance of integrating respiratory controls into confined space rescue planning, not as an afterthought but as a core design element.
Best practice is about culture, and a strong safety culture in mining recognises that confined space work is a unique event that demands planning, engagement and technical control.
That culture is supported by investment in training, by empowering supervisors to challenge unsafe plans, and by giving teams the time and tools to do the job right.
By embedding best practice into confined space entry, particularly in the areas of dust suppression and respiratory protection, mining organisations not only protect workers from harm but also build resilience into their operations, reduce downtime and improve compliance confidence.
Managing dust and respiratory hazards in confined spaces isn’t simply a compliance exercise; it’s a test of an organisation’s safety maturity. In mining, where the risks are amplified and the consequences are severe, adopting best practice approaches is both a duty of care and a business imperative.
WAHA’s guidance, coupled with existing standards, offers a pathway toward safer, smarter confined space work. By applying the hierarchy of controls with intent, investing in engineering solutions, and embedding respiratory protection into the broader system of work, safety professionals can lead a transformation in how confined space hazards are addressed, one that places prevention at the centre and people at the forefront.
– by Scott Barber, chief executive officer, WAHA.
