Confined space guidance
The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 define a confined space as any chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space that presents a foreseeable specified risk by virtue of its enclosed nature. It does not mean that only equipment such as large industrial tanks or sewers are confined spaces. For example, the use of petrol driven equipment inside an enclosure within a workshop can result in a build up of Carbon Monoxide from generated exhaust fumes within the enclosure, resulting in oxygen depletion of the atmosphere. This work area would therefore be classified as a confined space.
Confined space entry tasks need to be performed in many different workplaces as a means of inspecting, maintaining or installing equipment. They normally consist of an area of restricted access that may contain a number of hazards that should be individually risk assessed.
Planning for confined space entry should include the following:
- Confined space hazard identification and Risk Assessment
- Safe Work Permit, Confined Space Entry Permit, Hot Work Permit, Lockout/Lockoff Procedure, and/or any other permit or procedure that may be applicable
- Atmospheric testing and confined space inspection
- Defining the criteria for confined space entry
- Visual warnings systems as appropriate
- Procedures for the control of safe systems of work
- Training and information
- Emergency response arrangements
- Recording detail on all of the above
Any confined space that fails inspection must have a suitable warning system with ‘Do Not Enter’ displayed and the confined space isolated to ensure that entry cannot take place. Actions to correct the situation and satisfactory retesting of the confined space need to be implemented before the entry procedure can continue.
Which Scafftag systems can help?
| Requirement | Relevant products |
|---|---|
| Confined space hazard identification and conducting a risk assessment | Safetrak® - Confined spaces The Orange Book and File |
| Establishing Safe Systems of Work including Safe Work Permit, Confined Space Entry Permit and Hot Work Permits | Permit/Document Wallets Safetrak® - Confined spaces The Orange Book and File |
| Conducting regular atmospheric testing and confined space inspections according to risk assessments | Safetrak® - Confined spaces The Orange Book and File |
| Placing visual warnings systems at the point of entry to the confined space | Entrytag® Man in Confined Space tags Permit/Document Wallets Safetrak® - Confined spaces |
| Recording details of each confined space including inspections and testing results | Safetrak® - Confined spaces The Orange Book and File |
Relevant Legislation:
- The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
- The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997
- The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
- The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Construction Design & Management Regulations 2007
