Confined Space

A confined space is a place that is substantially enclosed (though not always entirely), and where serious injury can occur from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby (e.g. lack of Oxygen).

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Under domestic law (the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974) employers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their employees and others. This responsibility is reinforced by regulations. The Confined Space Regulations 1997 apply where the assessment identifies risks of serious injury from work in confined spaces.

These regulations contain the following key duties:

  • Avoid entry to confined spaces, e.g. by doing the work from the outside;
  • If entry to a confined space is unavoidable, follow a safe system of work; and
  • Put in place adequate emergency arrangements before the works start

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers and self-employed people to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks for all work activities for deciding what measures are necessary for safety. For work in confined spaces, this means identifying the hazards present, assessing the risks, and determining what precautions to take.

Once a space has been assessed then it is the employer’s duty of care to ensure that their employees have the correct equipment to make a safe and controlled entry into the space, this can be from fall arrest and rescue equipment to SCBA and portable gas detection. All equipment that is supplied and used must be in good working order and within its test date.

Contact us for advice on the best equipment for your business needs.

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