Work in high risk confined spaces

This standard is about working in high risk confined spaces as a member of a work team.   A confined space is any place, including any chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable specified risk.  Risks could lead to serious injury or death through fire, explosion, gas, fumes, vapour, lack of oxygen, rising levels of liquid, asphyxiation  or entrapment by free flowing solids. 

High risk confined spaces:

• may have non-standard entries which could involve complex entry procedures 
• may be in a remote location
• will have specified risks or work activity that are defined as high risk 
• may have identified hazards present during entry or while working which cannot be fully controlled

Work in a high risk confined space requires working in line with an agreed system of work that is based on a site-specific or task-specific risk assessment.  In addition, high risk confined spaces will require: 

• use of safety equipment such as breathing apparatus 
• the presence of one or more people, positioned outside the confined space, who have designated responsibilities for controlling the entry and dealing with emergencies.  
• the presence of an emergency team who should be available should an emergency occur.

This standard includes preparing to enter and work safely in high risk confined spaces, entering and exiting confined spaces safely, using equipment and tools in accordance with manufacturers' specifications, using safety equipment and following procedures and working safely. 

This standard is for anyone from any sector who needs to work in a high risk confined space. 

1. adhere to current, site-specific risk assessments before starting work

2. set up and test signaling and communication systems before entering confined spaces  

3. use communication methods which are suitable for tasks and confined spaces

4. check there are suitable emergency and rescue arrangements in place prior to entry

5. check all equipment and tools are suitable and in good order before entering confined spaces

6. select appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which fits and is in good condition

7. select safety, escape and emergency equipment which is appropriate for the conditions 

8. confirm that safety equipment is compatible with self and allocated personal protective equipment (PPE) 

9. carry out pre-use checks on safety, escape and emergency equipment prior to starting work and replace when it is defective

10. put on required breathing apparatus and PPE before entering confined spaces

11. fit, adjust, carry, use and remove designated safety, escape and emergency equipment in line with procedures and manufacturers’ instructions

12. resolve any problems with safety, escape and emergency equipment and report non-conformities to appropriate people

13. monitor safety, escape and emergency equipment during operation and use

14. obtain authorisation for entry from designated people supervising work

15. set up, test and record results of appropriate monitoring equipment before entering confined spaces

16. check conditions are safe before entering confined spaces 

17. maintain safety zones and control access and movement of people and vehicles around entry points in situations where people need to be kept clear

18. obtain, set up and check access equipment that is appropriate for entry and exit

19. use access equipment to enter and exit confined spaces in line with procedures for working in high risk confined spaces

20. use specified methods to introduce equipment and tools into confined spaces

21. resolve any problems with equipment and tools before and during their use

22. resolve any problems connected to entry, exit or work within confined spaces with relevant people

23. follow employers' safe working procedures and equipment manufacturers' instructions

24. monitor conditions and levels of risk within confined spaces on a continuous basis

25. take suitable action to control all risks and to remedy any unsafe activity, equipment and environmental conditions without delay

26. monitor and respond to changes of information from monitoring equipment on an ongoing basis

27. respond to changing conditions without delay

28. use established signaling or communication protocols to initiate emergency plans 

29. initiate emergency plans without delay when dangerous situations arise

30. follow and maintain emergency procedures throughout incidents

31. use appropriate escape equipment for the environment as set down in procedures

32. record and report emergency incidents and their circumstances in line with procedures

33. complete all documentation and reports at appropriate times

34. forward documentation and reports to appropriate people without delay

35. ensure equipment and tools are recovered from confined spaces when work is complete 

36. close down and make work areas safe when work is finished 

37. carry out after use checks and store equipment and tools in line with manufacturers’ instructions

38. carry after use checks on safety, escape and emergency equipment after a safe exit and confirm it conforms to specification before storing it in the designated storage ready for the next job

1. the main principles and defining features of current confined spaces, health and safety and environmental legislation and regulations

2. approved codes of practice and guidance for working safely in confined spaces

3. personal duties and responsibilities under legislation 

4. definitions of hazardous situations and different types and categories of specified risk

5. types of spaces that could become confined due to the presence of a specified risk

6. hazards, substances, and situations associated with high risk confined spaces including drowning, engulfment, heat, suffocation, fire and explosion

7. how to carry out dynamic risk assessment to review risk, record findings and reduce risk of injury to self, colleagues and the general public

8. awareness of how emergency situations can arise in confined spaces

9. the use and limitations of safety, escape and emergency equipment including breathing apparatus, fall protection equipment and assisted rescue equipment  

10.  how to carry out pre-use checks of, and recognise defects in, safety, escape and emergency equipment 

11. how to fit, put on, wear, use, and remove PPE and escape breathing apparatus and the implications on duration and protection if this is not done correctly 

12. manufacturers' instructions relating to the use of safety, escape and emergency equipment including fall protection equipment, assisted rescue equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus and airline including those for body weight and facial hair

13. legislation and approved codes of practice and guidelines for the use of safety equipment  including self-contained breathing apparatus

14. your role when working as part of a team and how to maintain safety when working with others

15. roles and responsibilities when dealing with emergencies

16. procedures for dealing with emergencies, incidents and near misses

17. your remit in relation to first aid in emergency situations based on risk assessment

18. confined space classification schemes 

19. how to identify high risk confined spaces

20. how to set up and inspect access equipment 

21. entry procedures for high risk confined spaces

22. how to assess and review risks and hazards, the hierarchy of control measures and how they can be used  to minimise risks to an acceptable level for work to be carried out

23. why it is important to be vigilant to possible risks and hazards and changing conditions, 

24. how ventilation systems work and their benefits and disadvantages in confined spaces

25. procedures and methods of working suitable to the confined space classification and local conditions

26. the different types and limitations of monitoring equipment

27. ways to monitor conditions and work activity

28. decontamination procedures

29. why it is important to resolve problems about work in confined spaces without delay

30. how to resolve problems when other people or organisations are involved 

31. signaling and communication systems and protocols for keeping in contact with other people while working in high risk confined spaces and in emergency situations

32. how to follow manufacturers’ instructions and procedures for preparing, pre and after use inspection and using tools and equipment 

33. reporting systems for routine and non-routine work activities,  and emergency situations