What is CONFINED SPACE?

Definitions:

OSHA:-

A space with limited or restricted means for entry or exit and is not designed for continuous occupancy is Confined Space. Confined spaces include, but are not limited to, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, pits, manholes, tunnels, equipment housings, duct-work, pipelines, etc.

 CCOHS:-

Generally speaking, a confined space is a fully or partially enclosed space that:

  • is not primarily designed or intended for continuous human occupancy.
  • has limited or restricted entrance or exit or a configuration that can complicate first aid, rescue, evacuation, or other emergency response activities.

HEATH AND SAFETY AUTHORITY

Confined Space refers to any place, including any vessel, tank, container, pit, bund, chamber, cellar or any other similar space which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, creates conditions that give rise to a likelihood of an accident, harm or injury of such a nature as to require emergency action due to the presence or reasonable foreseeable presence of:
  • -    flammable or explosive atmospheres
    -    harmful gas, fume or vapour
    -    free flowing solid or an increasing level of liquid
    -    excess of oxygen
    -    excessively high temperature
  • the lack or reasonably foreseeable lack of oxygen.

Conclusion:-

As per above definitions we can say...
A confined space can be defined as “any place such as a chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, well, pipe, sewer, flue, or similar, in which by virtue of its enclosed nature there is a foreseeable risk of:
• Fire or explosion.
• Loss of consciousness or asphyxiation arising from gas, fumes, vapour or lack of oxygen.
• Drowning.
• Asphyxiation as a result of entrapment in free flowing solid.
• Loss of consciousness as a result of high air temperature.”
Note that a confined space has two characteristics:
• An enclosed nature (ventilation will be restricted and access/egress - getting in and out - may be difficult).
• One or more of the foreseeable specified risks exist. 
Remember that a confined space does not have to be small; an empty oil storage tank can be big enough to play a game of football inside, but it is still a confined space because of its enclosed nature and the risk of fire, asphyxia and drowning (as a result of an inflow of oil or other liquid whilst people are working in the tank, e.g. an in-feed pump might be accidentally switched on).


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