When you hear the term confined spaces, you might imagine something small, dark, and claustrophobic, and you wouldn’t be far off. But the reality is far more complex and dangerous than most people realise. Whether it’s an underground vault, a storage tank, or even a poorly ventilated crawl space, confined spaces present a unique set of hazards that can be life-threatening if not properly managed.
At Balmore, we specialise in providing comprehensive confined space services, including confined spaces rescue, and we know just how critical it is to understand the risks involved. This blog will walk you through what a confined space actually is, the different types you might encounter, real-world examples, and the very real dangers that come with working in these environments.
What Is a Confined Space?
A confined space is not simply a small area. Legally and operationally, it’s defined as a space that is substantially enclosed and has limited access points, but is not necessarily designed for continuous human occupancy. Crucially, it’s also a space where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of serious injury from hazardous substances or dangerous conditions, such as a lack of oxygen, toxic gases, or the risk of engulfment.
In short, it’s not the size of the space that makes it dangerous, it’s the conditions within it.
Types of Confined Spaces
Confined spaces come in various forms and serve a multitude of purposes across different industries. They are generally categorised based on the risks they present and their design. Here are the main types:
Permit-Required Confined Spaces
These spaces pose significant health and safety risks. They often contain or have the potential to contain hazardous atmospheres, or they may have inwardly converging walls or floors that slope downward and taper into a smaller area, which can trap or asphyxiate workers. Entry requires a formal permit, risk assessment, and often a standby rescue team.
Non-Permit Confined Spaces
These are enclosed spaces that do not pose the same level of risk. However, that does not mean they are inherently safe. Conditions can change quickly, turning a non-permit space into a permit-required one.
Temporary Confined Spaces
Sometimes confined spaces are created during construction or maintenance work. These are especially hazardous because they may not have been designed with entry and exit in mind and might not have proper ventilation.
Continuous System Confined Spaces
These are part of a larger system, such as pipelines, where the confined space is part of a longer route. Hazards here include poor communication, limited access, and difficulty in executing an effective confined spaces rescue if needed.
Examples of Confined Spaces
To better understand where these hazards might exist, let’s look at some examples of confined spaces that workers often encounter across different industries:
- Silos: Often used for storing grain or powdery materials, these can lead to engulfment and inhalation hazards.
- Tanks and Vessels: Common in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries, tanks can contain hazardous substances or lack oxygen.
- Utility Vaults and Manholes: Found in water, sewage, and electrical infrastructure. Risks include electrocution, flooding, and gas build-up.
- Sewers and Drains: Exposure to harmful gases like methane and hydrogen sulphide, and even the presence of biological hazards.
- Crawl Spaces: Found under buildings; they often have limited ventilation and can harbour mould, rodents, or exposed electrical systems.
- Boilers and Ducts: Often narrow and with hot surfaces, these spaces can become extremely dangerous in maintenance settings.
No matter the industry, confined spaces are more common than many realise, and far more hazardous.
The Hidden Confined Space Hazards
So what exactly makes confined spaces so dangerous? Here’s a breakdown of the most critical confined space hazards:
Atmospheric Hazards
These include toxic gases (like carbon monoxide or hydrogen sulphide), flammable gases, and oxygen-deficient or oxygen-enriched environments. These hazards can’t be seen or smelled, making proper monitoring essential.
Engulfment Hazards
Loose materials like grain, sand, or powders can act like quicksand, engulfing a worker and leading to suffocation.
Mechanical Hazards
Moving parts, pressurised systems, or rotating equipment within a confined space can cause serious injuries if not properly isolated beforehand.
Temperature Extremes
Confined spaces can become extremely hot or cold, especially when ventilation is poor or the surrounding environment is exposed to weather or industrial processes.
Restricted Movement
Limited entry and exit points can hinder escape during an emergency and complicate rescue operations. They also make it hard to bring in tools, equipment, or even medical supplies if needed.
Staying Safe in Confined Spaces
Working in or around confined spaces demands a serious commitment to safety. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Risk Assessments: Identify hazards before entry.
- Atmospheric Testing: Check for dangerous gases or oxygen levels before and during entry.
- Ventilation: Use mechanical systems to ensure air quality.
- Isolation: Disconnect mechanical or electrical systems that could activate during entry.
- Communication: Maintain constant contact between entrants and standby personnel.
- Training: Ensure all workers are competent and confident in emergency procedures.
Wrapping Up…
Confined spaces are part of everyday operations in many industries, but they carry significant risks that can’t be ignored. Understanding what makes a space “confined,” recognising the types and examples, and implementing robust safety and rescue procedures can be the difference between a job well done and a tragic accident.
At Balmore, we are committed to protecting lives by offering expert confined spaces support. Whether you’re maintaining industrial tanks or inspecting drainage systems, our team is here to ensure that you and your workers go home safely at the end of the day.
If you’re responsible for confined space work and want peace of mind knowing that safety comes first, get in touch with us today. Because when it comes to confined spaces, there’s no room for compromise.
