What makes something a confined space

In this regulation a restricted space refers, in part, to a "space from which the egress of a worker is restricted, limited, or impeded". The Confined Spaces Regulation is intended to protect a worker who performs work within a fully or partially enclosed space that is not both designed and constructed for continuous human occupancy and in which atmospheric hazards may occur. A confined space is a space that can be occupied by a person. Under such a condition, the Confined Spaces Regulation would apply.

However, in these circumstances, the employer must still comply with other requirements under the OHSA , including taking every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of the health and safety of the worker. For example, there may be hazards associated with the space, such as explosive gases, and employers would need to comply with relevant regulatory requirements, where applicable, and take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers working on or near these spaces.

To determine if a space is designed and constructed for human occupancy, one must look at the intent and construction of the space - what is the purpose of the space, or in other words, what was it intended for, and to what standards has it been designed and constructed to allow people to occupy it? Workspaces such as offices, arenas, maintenance rooms, control rooms, etc. These spaces are not considered a confined space, regardless of the atmospheric hazards that may occur in them.

However, occupational health and safety legislation and regulations apply and must be complied with to protect workers. Other spaces, such as parts of a tunnelling operation or an underground mine stopes, drifts, ramps, shafts, raises , are designed and constructed specifically for people to carry out work within them.

Specific codes and standards and requirements are intended to make the space adequate for the health and safety of workers. However, parts of a tunnel or mine could be confined spaces. Tunnels and mines could also include confined spaces within them, such as bins, tanks, clean or dirty water sumps, and water storage dams.

Some examples of spaces that would not be considered as "both designed and constructed for continuous human occupancy" are:. Structures such as vessels, sewers and tank cars are designed and constructed to play a role in part of a process. Their primary purpose is to contain, transport, move or manipulate materials or equipment and they are not primarily designed for people to occupy them. They may have structures such as ladders or platforms where workers can perform work within the space on occasion.

However, these spaces were not designed for continuous human occupancy. A construction project space that is intended for human occupancy but not yet completed in its construction is not considered a confined space if its stage of construction is suitable for continuous human occupancy.

Some construction spaces such as sumps and tanks and projects within these spaces may be confined spaces, but not projects in general. A chamber or vault may have cooling ventilation for equipment purposes and have a temporary access space, designed to allow workers to access pipes and equipment perhaps by using ladders or a door. However, this does not mean that it has been designed to meet codes and standards that would allow workers to safely perform their duties on a regular basis within the chamber or vault.

Therefore, these spaces are considered NOT to be both designed and constructed for continuous human occupancy. Some examples include offices, service rooms such as mechanical rooms, elevator rooms , shops, walk-in freezers and refrigerators, laboratories, flammable liquid storage and dispensing rooms, and rooms equipped with approved fire suppression systems. Trenches that are under construction and that are in compliance with the O.

Where it is not obvious and your evaluation does not determine whether a workspace is or is not designed for continuous human occupancy, consider whether or not there may be an atmospheric hazard present because of its design, construction or location and the work to be performed.

If it is determined that no atmospheric hazard may occur, then the confined space provisions would not apply in any case, and the human occupancy question need not be considered. Where an atmospheric hazard may exist and you are still uncertain as to whether the space is designed for human occupancy, you may wish to comply with the confined space provisions. Many workers are injured and killed each year while working in confined spaces.

A confined space can be more hazardous than regular workspaces for many reasons. To effectively control the risks associated with working in a confined space, a confined space hazard assessment and control program should be implemented for your workplace. Before putting together this program, make sure to review the specific regulations that apply to your workplace. All jurisdictions within Canada have regulations dealing with confined space entry. The regulations can vary slightly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

More information about the confined space hazard assessment and control program is located in the OSH Answers document Confined Space - Program.

If the confined space cannot be made safe for the worker by taking precautions then workers should NOT enter the confined space until it is made safe to enter by additional means.

All confined spaces should be considered hazardous unless a competent person has determined otherwise through a risk assessment. Confined spaces can be below or above ground. Confined spaces can be found in almost any workplace. A confined space, despite its name, is not necessarily small. Examples of confined spaces include silos, vats, hoppers, utility vaults, tanks, water supply towers, sewers, pipes, access shafts, truck or rail tank cars, aircraft wings, boilers, manholes, pump stations, digesters, manure pits and storage bins.

Ditches and trenches may also be a confined space when access or egress is limited. Barges, shipping containers and fish holds are also considered as possible confined spaces.

All hazards found in a regular workspace can also be found in a confined space. However, they can be even more hazardous in a confined space than in a regular worksite. Many factors need to be evaluated when looking for hazards in a confined space. There is smaller margin for error. An error in identifying or evaluating potential hazards can have more serious consequences. In some cases, the conditions in a confined space are always extremely hazardous.

In other cases, conditions are life threatening under an unusual combination of circumstances. This variability and unpredictability is why the process of hazard and risk identification and assessment is extremely important and must be taken very seriously each and every time one is done.

The important thing to remember is that each time a worker plans to enter any work space, the worker should determine if that work space is considered a confined space. Be sure the confined space hazard assessment and control program has been followed. The next question to ask is - Is it absolutely necessary that the work be carried out inside the confined space?

In many cases where there have been deaths in confined spaces, the work could have been done outside the confined space! Before entering any confined space, a trained and experienced person should identify and evaluate all the existing and potential hazards within the confined space. What is 'Table 1' and why is it so important?

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A guardrail would also be necessary to protect workers from potential falls. Standards and Enforcement Confined spaces are addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry, maritime, and construction. Hazards and Solutions Provides references that may aid in recognizing and evaluating hazards and possible solutions related to confined spaces.