What is the definition of a Confined Space?
Regulation 3.82 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996, defines a confined space as an enclosed or partially enclosed space which:
- is not intended or designed primarily as a workplace;
- is at atmospheric pressure during occupancy; and
- has restricted means for entry and exit;
and which either:
- has an atmosphere containing or likely to contain potentially harmful levels of contaminant;
- has or is likely to have an unsafe oxygen level; or
- is of a nature or is likely to be of a nature that could contribute to a person in the space being overwhelmed by an unsafe atmosphere or contaminant.
In accordance with regulation 3.85 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996, any work carried out in confined spaces must comply with Australian Standard AS2865.
There are many risks that may be increased while working within a confined space environment including:
- electrical shock or electrocution;
- oxygen deficiency;
- toxic gases or fumes;
- engulfment/suffocation by solids;
- fire and/or explosion;
- drowning in liquids;
- falls from height; and
- environmental factors such as noise, extremes of temperature, poor lighting, manual handling and radiation.
A person working within a confined space should keep in frequent contact with a person on standby to ensure there safety. This can be done by:
- voice;
- radio (intrinsically safe one if used in flammable conditions);
- mobile phone (not to be used if flammable gas or vapour is present in sufficient concentration to cause explosion or fire); or
- hard wired communications.
At Bullsbrook Electrical Services we take safety in a confined space environment seriously. We ensure our workers have training and access to safety requirements and have the knowledge and experience to conduct work in this environment.
