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Confined Space

What is a confined space?
A confined space means a fully or partially enclosed space

that is not designed nor constructed for continuous human occupancy
in which atmospheric hazards may occur because of its construction, location or contents, or because of work that is done in it

Examples of potential confined spaces include:

tanks, drums
tank cars, holds
manholes, sewers, shafts
silos, bins, hoppers
tunnels, culverts
vaults, lockers
cellars, pits
vats, tanks, vessels, tubs
ditches, wells, walls, pits
pipelines, ducts

What the law says
You need to develop a written confined space program for confined spaces in your workplace. There are three parts to a confined space program:

Part one: Recognize or identify a confined space
Part two: Assess the confined space hazards

Part three: Control the hazards by

developing a plan for the confined space
providing general training for workers
creating a permit system

Refer to the Confined Space Guideline on the Ministry of Labour’s website for additional information on how to recognize and assess your confined space, and on how to create your confined space plan.

How having a confined space program can help your business
Failing to recognize a workspace as a confined space or understand its related hazards could lead to catastrophic injury or death, negatively affecting your employee morale, reputation and production. You may also be subject to penalties, fines or prison terms if convicted because of a violation under the Occupational Health & Safety Act.

What you can do
According to the Canadian Standards Association, implementing proper safety precautions can prevent 85 per cent of all confined space incidents. Orders written by Ministry of Labour inspectors indicate that many employers need to

rigorously assess hazards
prepare (or update) a written plan based on the hazards found
provide training to supervisors and workers
hold supervisors accountable for properly and consistently addressing the hazards

Review the Confined Spaces Guideline for guidance on how to proceed. Contact your health and safety provider for assistance.

Sector Specific Information

Public Services Health & Safety Association

Working in confined spaces causes the death, or injury of numerous workers each year, these deaths include would-be rescuers. For many reasons, working in a confined space is much more hazardous than regular workplaces. Control these risks in your workplace by ensuring that your organization completes the necessary confined space training programs that addresses government regulations and legislation.

For more information, contact our consultants.

Workplace Safety North

WSN consultants can help your firm identify needs and establish a program for confined spaces. Our mine rescue program offers training on confined space rescue.

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

Whatever your industry—we’ve got you covered. Resources are available to help firms in the agricultural , manufacturing and services industry sectors.

Downloads

Ventilation

Ventilation is a primary engineering control available to reduce the concentration of gases, dusts, vapours, smoke, and fumes in the air.

377 KB pdf

Silo Safety

Silos are an important part of many farming operations; they are also the location of many accidents.

256 KB pdf

Flowing Grain Entrapment

Grain storage structures and handling equipment create hazardous work situations. Workers who work with grain--loading, unloading, or moving--must be aware of the hazards of flowing grain and ways to prevent a grain entrapment situation.

279 KB pdf

Videos

Auxilary Mine Ventilation Manual

Ventilation is the process of providing fresh air to an enclosed environment. The consequences of breathing air without enough oxygen in it are serious. The Auxilary Mine Ventilation Manual provides a thorough overview of mine ventilation and presents guidelines for the design, operations and maintenance of these systems.

June 10, 2011

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