UNOFFICIAL OHS DATABASE
CONFINED SPACES
Division 9 (clauses 66 - 78) of The Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001 covers requirements for work in confined spaces.
Clause 66 of the Regulation describes a confined space as follows:
"confined space, in relation to a place of work, means an enclosed or partially enclosed space that:
(a) is not intended or designed primarily as a place of work, and
(b) is at atmospheric pressure while persons are in it, and
(c) may have an atmosphere with potentially harmful contaminants, an unsafe level of oxygen or stored substances that may cause engulfment, and
(d) may (but need not) have restricted means of entry and exit.
Examples of confined spaces are as follows:
(a) storage tanks, tank cars, process vessels, boilers, pressure vessels, silos and other tank-like compartments,
(b) open-topped spaces such as pits or degreasers,
(c) pipes, sewers, shafts, ducts and similar structures,
(d) shipboard spaces entered through a small hatchway or access point, cargo tanks, cellular double bottom tanks, duct keels, ballast and oil tanks and void spaces (but not including dry cargo holds).
Refer to the above clauses of the Regulation (66-78) in regard to the acceptability of work practices. Risk assessment guidance can be found from Risk Management at Work.
CONFINED SPACE TRAINING
Anyone who works in a confined space must be trained in safe work procedures, as per clause 77 of the OHS Regulation 2001.
To find trainers for safe work in confined spaces go to the National Training Information Service (NTIS) website (choose Courses/Qualifications option, and then use the search function to find a suitable trainer).
Ref: Australian Standard AS2865 - Safe Working in a Confined Space, available from Standards Australia. AS 2865 states: " The employer shall provide training for all persons required to work within or on a confined space in all relevant activities related to entering and working within or on a confined spaces" and details training requirements".
Resources:
Confined Spaces (Safetyline WA)
Working in Confined Spaces (NOHSC)
Safe Working in a Confined Space (NOHSC / AS 2865-1995)