Working in Confined Spaces

A confined space is defined as an enclosed or partially enclosed area that is not intended for continuous occupancy and may present a risk to health and safety from hazards such as poor ventilation, hazardous atmospheres, or restricted access.

Examples include:

Tanks: Enclosed spaces often used for storing liquids or gases, posing risks like toxic atmospheres and engulfment hazards.

Pits: Depressions or holes in the ground, which can contain hazardous materials or have poor ventilation, leading to potential entrapment or exposure risks.

Tunnels: Long, narrow passageways often underground, with limited access and egress, increasing the risk of suffocation, toxic exposure, and structural collapse.

These spaces are governed by strict regulations in Australia to manage the high risks associated with entry and work within them, ensuring proper procedures and safety measures are in place​.

Common hazards in confined spaces include poor air quality, toxic gases, the risk of engulfment, and limited escape routes, which can lead to asphyxiation, poisoning, or entrapment. 

Inadequate management of these hazards can result in severe injuries or fatalities. Ensuring comprehensive risk assessments and implementing appropriate safety controls are crucial to mitigating these dangers and maintaining a safe working environment​.

Confined space safety procedures are essential because they help prevent accidents and ensure compliance with legal requirements. 

In Australia, confined space incidents continue to pose significant risks, and non-compliance can result in severe penalties, including fines and legal action against employers. 

Implementing detailed safety procedures, such as entry permits, continuous monitoring, and emergency response plans, is crucial for protecting workers and avoiding legal repercussions​.

Your Safety Partners provides expert confined space safety assessments and consulting services to help businesses comply with Australian regulations. 

We offer tailored risk assessments, develop comprehensive safety procedures, and provide training and permits required for confined space work.

Our goal is to ensure that your confined space operations are safe, compliant, and well-managed, reducing the risk of incidents and enhancing overall workplace safety.

Your Safety Partners have decades of experience conducting safety audits, developing and improving processes and delivering training to ensure safety processes “stick”. We have helped many organisations create safer workplaces and more profitable business.. When it comes to working in confined spaces, we provide rigorous safety assessments and actionable advice. Our process is adaptable to different environments and industries. We’ll always ensure that assessments and advice are tailored to the needs of your business. However, our safety assessment process may look a little like this:

• A safety expert arrives at your facility to assess your working in confined spaces practices, equipment, processes, and documentation.
• We take the time to ask questions, to ensure we gather as much relevant information as possible. The more information we have, the better the recommendations and advice we can provide.
• We provide a detailed report and process documentation (where required) to create a safer, more efficient environment for you and your people.

We’re also available to provide training, permits, and other documentation.