Confined Space
By the Riskora Editorial Team · Last reviewed
A confined space is any place that is substantially enclosed where there is a reasonably foreseeable specified risk — fire, explosion, asphyxiation, drowning or loss of consciousness from heat, fumes or oxygen deficiency.
Manholes, sewers, tanks, ducts, pits, voids and some basements all qualify. The legal definition does not depend on size — a small chamber can be a confined space; a large room can be one too.
The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 require employers, so far as is reasonably practicable, to avoid entry. Where entry cannot be avoided, a safe system of work must be followed and emergency arrangements must be in place before work begins.
Entry to a confined space without a permit-to-work, gas testing, an attendant outside and a rescue plan is one of the highest-consequence breaches an inspector will see.
Why it matters
Confined-space incidents are over-represented in fatal accident statistics, and the rescuer is often the second fatality. Pre-planned rescue arrangements are not a paperwork exercise.