Confined Spaces
People usually think of working at height as only being a risk when working above ground. But you don’t necessarily need to be up high for a fall to occur. Falls from the ground to a level below, even ones inside an existing structure are equally high risk, especially in areas which are not designed for human occupancy and maybe have ingress/egress limitations. As such, the definition of what is, or isn’t, a confined space is not so clear cut.
Confined space environments come in a variety of guises including vats, tanks, pits, pipes, chimneys, silos, sewers, shafts, wells, pressure vessels, trenches and tunnels.
Between 2000-2012
59 workers were killed
in confined spaces*
The National Work Health and Safety Regulations (the WHS Regulations) and the Australian Standard 2865:2009 Confined Spaces have very similar definitions of a confined space.
- Selman et al. (2017) Work-related traumatic fatal injuries involving confined spaces in Australia, 2000-2012
The WHS Regulations define a confined space as an enclosed or partially enclosed space that:
- Is not designed or intended primarily to be occupied by a person; and
- Is, or is designed or intended to be at normal atmospheric pressure while any person in in the space; and
- Is or is likely to be a risk to health and safety from:
- An atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level; or
- Contaminants, including airborne gases, vapours and dusts, that may cause injury from fire or explosion; or
- Harmful concentrations of any airborne contaminants; or
- Engulfment, but doesn’t not include a mine shaft of the workings of a mine.
A confined space is determined by the hazards associated with a set of specific circumstances and not just because work is performed in a small space.
Entry into a confined space means a person’s head or upper body is in the confined space or within the boundary of the confined space.
Confined spaces are commonly found in vats, tanks, pits, pipes, ducts, flues, chimneys, silos, containers, pressure vessels, underground sewers, wet or dry wells, shafts, trenches, tunnels or other similar enclosed or partially enclosed structures, when these examples meet the definition of a confined space in the WHS Regulations.
Working in a confined space is a high risk activity and the potential for incidents resulting in fatalities are compounded by the nature of the hazards present. Examples of the key risks include the potential lack of oxygen, high temperatures, explosive environments and the risk of airborne contaminants including gas, fumes and vapours. Other hazards include the risk of engulfment in flood waters, sewerage, grain, smoke or dirt from a trench collapse
So it is often more expedient to assume a space is placed in this category and manage the hazards accordingly rather than underestimate the risk and be left with safety compromised workplace.
More Information
All regulators have information on their websites regarding working in confined spaces. Consult with those locations to assess the requirements for your specific needs.
- For general information about working in confined spaces, also see the code of practice for confined spaces, which includes a checklist and sample entry permit.
- For information about risk management, training and emergencies, and tips about cleansing confined spaces and atmospheric testing, see AS/NZS 2865: 2009 Confined spaces.
- For information about the advantages and disadvantages of different types of respiratory protective equipment, see ASNZS 1715: 2009 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment.