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Working safely in confined spaces

Working in confined spaces is a dangerous task and has led to the death or serious injury of a number of workers in the rural industry in Queensland.

Confined spaces refer to an enclosed or partially enclosed space that:

• is at atmospheric pressure while a person is working in that space
• is not intended or designed primarily as a place of work
• is likely at any time to:
  have an atmosphere which contains potentially harmful levels of contaminants
  have a lack of or excess oxygen
  trap a person
• has restricted entry and exit points.

Examples of confined spaces include silos and hoppers, water tanks, milk vats, pits and wells.

Workers typically enter confined spaces to:

• clean-up waste or sludge
• physically inspect plant or equipment
• install pumps, motors or other equipment
• undertake inspection, maintenance or repair work
• read meters, gauges or dials.

Before anybody enters a confined space, all employers or self-employed people in the rural industry should thoroughly assess the hazards to help minimise the risk of injury.

These include identifying hazards such as lack or excess of oxygen; toxic gases, vapour or fumes; flammable gases, vapours, fumes or dust; engulfment, entrapment and access; and falls from heights.

The employer or self-employed person is required to develop a safe system of work for entry to and working in a confined space, including:

• identifying any hazards when working within a confined space
• undertaking and recording a risk assessment of work associated with confined spaces. The risk assessment must take into account at least the following:
  the nature and inherent hazards of the confined space
  the work required to be done, including the need to enter the confined space
  the range of methods by which the work can be done
  the hazards and risks associated with the work and equipment to be used
  emergency response procedures
  the competence of the person to undertake the work
• implementing control measures
• organising education and training for persons who may be entering a confined space
• planning emergency and first aid procedure
• keeping good records of all actions taken.

In addition, employers should issue entry permits before workers can enter a confined space (AS 2865 Safe working in a confined space).

Please note: A reference to the confined spaces Australian Standard in the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 is taken to be a reference to AS/NZS 2865: 2001 Safe working in a confined space. As harmonised OHS legislation will be in place by the end of 2011 a decision has been made to not update the regulation to align with the AS/NZS 2865: 2009 Confined spaces.   

An entry permit provides written approval for work to commence in a confined space and should be kept for one month. The permit details precautions and instructions for safe entry and working.

Safety permit details include:

• work to be done
• hazards likely to be encountered
• plant isolation
• ventilation and atmospheric conditions
• clothing and personal protective equipment
• authorised entry and working constraints
• emergency procedures.

The rural industry exemption from the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 (PDF, 1.4 MB), Part 18: Confined spaces will be removed on 1 September 2010. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is working with the rural industry to inform employers and self-employed people about their confined space obligations and how to manage the injury risks.

For a sample risk management form, download the Guide to working safely in confined spaces (PDF, 892 kB), or phone the Workplace Health and Safety Infoline 1300 369 915.

Table of contents | New regulation removes remaining industry exemptions