Confined spaces

  • Confined spaces pose dangers because they are usually not designed to be areas where people work. 

A confined space means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that:

  • is not intended to be occupied by a person, and
  • is likely to involve risks to health and safety from:
    • a lack of oxygen
    • contaminants such as airborne gases, vapour and dusts, and
    • getting buried or crushed.

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, tunnels or other similar enclosed or partially enclosed structures.

PCBU specific duties

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you have a duty to manage the risks associated with confined spaces. This includes when entering, working in, on or near a confined space, and the risk of inadvertent entry.

Other specific duties include:

  • not directing a worker to enter a confined space unless the worker has an entry permit
  • erecting signs next to each entry to a confined space (see below)
  • establishing first aid and rescue procedures in the event of an emergency, and
  • providing adequate personal protective equipment.

Risk assessment

As a PCBU, you must ensure a risk assessment is conducted, reviewed and as necessary revised by a competent person. The risk assessment must consider the following:

  • whether the work can be carried out without the need to enter the confined space
  • the nature of the confined space
  • if the hazard is associated with the concentration of oxygen or the concentration of airborne contaminants in the confined space - any change that may occur in that concentration
  • the work required to be carried out in the confined space, the range of methods by which the work can be carried out and the proposed method of working, and
  • they type of emergency procedures, including rescue procedures, if required.

Signage

PCBUs must ensure that signs are erected:

  • immediately before work in a confined space commences and while work is being carried out, and
  • while work is being carried out in preparation for and in the completion of work in a confined space.

The signs must:

  • identify the confined space
  • inform workers that they must not enter the space unless they have an entry permit, and
  • be clear and prominently located next to each entry to the space.

Communication

A PCBU must ensure that a worker does not enter a confined space unless the person provides a system of work that includes:

  • continuous communication with the worker from outside the space, and
  • monitoring of conditions within the space by a standby person who is in the vicinity of the space and, if practicable, observing the work being carried out.

Record keeping

As a PCBU, you must keep:

  • a copy of the risk assessment until at least 28 days after the work to which it relates is completed, and
  • a copy of the confined space entry permit at least until the work to which it relates is completed.

However, if a notifiable incident occurs in relation to the work which the risk assessment or permit relates, the person must keep the copy of the assessment or permit for at least 2 years after the incident.

For more information

Model Codes of Practice

Other information

 

 

 

  • Did you know

    The WHS regulator in your state or territory can provide practical advice, resources and tools to help you be safe when working in construction. They can also let you know which WHS laws apply to you.