Safety in

Confined

Spaces

Confined spaces are areas large enough for workers to enter and perform tasks, though they aren’t necessarily designed for people, aren’t intended for continuous occupancy, and have limited or restricted means of entry or exit. Examples of confined spaces include hoppers, pits, storage bins, tunnels, tanks, equipment housings, and ductwork.

OSHA uses the term “permit-required confined space” to describe a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics:

■ contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere, such as one that is oxygen-deficient, toxic, or combustible;

■ contains material that has the potential to engulf an entrant;

■ has walls that converge inward or floors that slope downward and taper into a smaller area which could trap or asphyxiate an entrant; or

■ contains any other recognized safety or health hazard, such as unguarded machinery, exposed live wires, or heat stress.

Before workers enter a permit-required confined space, OSHA suggests they consider the following guidance:

■ Do not enter the space without being trained and without having a permit to enter.

■ Review, understand, and follow the employer’s procedures before entering the space and know how and when to exit.

■ Identify any physical hazards.

■ Before and during entry, test and monitor for oxygen content, flammability, toxicity, or explosive hazards as necessary.

■ Use the employer’s fall protection, rescue, air-monitoring, ventilation, lighting, and communication equipment according to entry procedures.

■ Maintain contact at all times with a trained attendant either visually, via phone, or by two-way radio.

For additional information on confined-space regulations and best safety practices, consult the following resources:

OSHA Standards on Confined Spaces

OSHA Confined-Space Hazards and Solutions

OSHA Quick Card on Permit-Required Confined Spaces

ISRI Topic Page on Confined Spaces

Graphic by seetwo and photo by Tomy Ardiansyah, both from Vecteezy.



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