Confined space risk assessment: what you need to know
Confined spaces present serious and often invisible hazards. A thorough risk assessment, proper atmospheric monitoring, and a well-planned rescue strategy are essential to prevent incidents and protect workers.
Each year, multiple workplace incidents and fatalities occur in confined spaces. In many cases, workers were not fully aware of the risks, and control measures were inadequate. According to data compiled by provincial occupational health and safety authorities, between 60% and 80% of confined space fatalities occur during rescue attempts by co-workers. This figure is frequently cited in Canadian safety documentation and highlights the critical importance of preparation.
Despite what the name suggests, a confined space is not necessarily small, and such spaces are found in most workplaces. A thorough risk assessment is therefore essential to ensure worker safety.
And as many workers often ask, “How do you check oxygen levels in a confined space?”. This is why gas detection and atmospheric testing must be integrated from the very first steps of the process.
What Is a Confined Space?
A confined space is generally defined as an area not intended for continuous human occupancy, that is difficult to enter or exit, and that presents certain hazards. Examples include:
- Silos
- Tanks
- Hoppers
- Utility tunnels
- Reservoirs
- Sewers
- Pipelines
- Access shafts
- Tanker trucks and rail tank cars
- Aircraft wings
- Boilers
- Manholes
- Slurry pits
- Storage bins
To be considered a “confined space” under Canadian provincial requirements, an area must meet all three of the following criteria:
- limited means of entry or exit.
- not designed for continuous human occupancy.
the presence of actual or potential hazards.
Risk Assessment in Confined Spaces: A Critical Step
Before any intervention, it is crucial to identify the specific hazards associated with each confined space. These spaces often present more risks than other work environments.
One question we are often asked is: What is a safe LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) level in a confined space?
Our experts explain that, in most jurisdictions, the LEL must remain below 10% (However, in Québec, this threshold is more stringent, with the LEL limited to 5%), and oxygen levels must be maintained between 19.5% and 23.5%. These thresholds are widely recognized in provincial guidelines and in recommendations based on CSA Z1006.This includes analyzing air quality, detecting the presence of toxic or flammable substances, and identifying physical hazards such as falls or injuries. Proper identification of these risks allows for the implementation of appropriate control measures and the development of a suitable emergency response plan.
Once the hazards have been identified, a risk assessment must be conducted to determine the likelihood and severity of potential incidents. This assessment guides the implementation of effective preventive measures and emergency procedures.
It is also a crucial step in developing a safe confined space rescue plan in case of an emergency. Additionally, it helps workers become aware of the risks associated with their work environment.
In other words, before anyone enters a confined space, you must be able to answer three key questions:
Is it safe? What gases are present? What happens if conditions change?
SPI Health and Safety provides all the specialized equipment needed for the inspection and certification of confined space entry and rescue gear, as well as wall- and floor-mounted anchor points. These inspections can be carried out directly at your worksite at any time, thanks to our Mobile Workshop Services (SAM).
When Should a Risk Assessment Be Conducted?
Hazard identification and risk assessment are mandatory according to various regulations and the current CSA Z1006 standard. It is highly recommended to carry out this assessment several weeks or even months in advance.
Planning your confined space risk assessment ahead of time also allows for better organization and thorough preparation before any entries take place. In addition, it raises awareness among workers and stakeholders about the protocols that must be followed.
Before each entry, the risk assessment for the specific confined space must be reviewed by one or more competent individuals. A one-time, entry-specific risk analysis is required every time, unfortunately, this step is often overlooked.
This planning approach ensures that the assessment is conducted by qualified personnel, that all hazards are thoroughly evaluated, and that all the necessary equipment for a complete risk assessment program is available when needed.
Who Can Conduct This Type of Analysis?
Workplace health and safety regulations require that risk assessments be carried out by a qualified person. Adequate training is essential to ensure the safety of confined space work.
The individual designated to perform the risk assessment must also have received comprehensive training on the subject.
In summary, in Canada, several provinces define a “qualified person” as someone who, through their knowledge, training, or experience, is able to:
- identify,
- assess,
- and control hazards related to confined spaces.
There are several advantages to choosing SPI for training or to conduct your confined space risk assessment program.
By selecting this solution, you ensure that the work is completed by experts with proven skills and experience.
Moreover, this resource provides greater objectivity and credibility, which helps improve the adoption rate of safety procedures among workers.
Learn more about SPI’s services→
Key Steps in Confined Space Risk Assessment
Several factors must be considered when identifying hazards in a confined space. Each confined space presents its own set of risk situations. In some confined spaces, working conditions are always hazardous. In others, existing conditions may become life-threatening under unusual circumstances.
The margin for error is very small, and mistakes in hazard identification, risk assessment, or in applying appropriate control measures can have fatal consequences.
Certain tools can facilitate the collection of information needed to accurately identify hazards.
Management tools, such as a detailed data collection sheet or a confined space risk analysis checklist, cover all the necessary areas for identifying major hazards in confined spaces:
- Identification of the confined space
- Management of possible tasks inside
- Characteristics of the entry point
- Assessment of present and potential risks
- Procedures to implement based on the risks
- Required safety equipment
- Rescue plan and emergency situations
This checklist serves as a reference tool that helps collect and organize the information needed to carry out a thorough risk analysis of your confined spaces.
Confined Space Rescue Procedures
In the event of an incident in a confined space, well-established rescue procedures are essential to ensure a rapid and safe intervention. Confined space rescue involves specific risks and requires meticulous preparation.
According to the Canada Safety Training Centre, approximately 60% of confined space fatalities involve untrained or improvised rescuers, reinforcing the need for a structured and well-rehearsed rescue plan.
- Rescue Preparation
Before any intervention, it is crucial to have a detailed rescue plan in place, outlining the procedures to follow, the necessary equipment, and the roles of each responder. Rescue teams must be trained with realistic simulations to prepare them for emergency situations. Confined space rescue cannot be improvised. - Rescue Equipment
Rescue equipment must be suited to the specific conditions of the confined space and the identified risks. This can include ventilation systems, respiratory protection devices, safety harnesses, and communication tools. All equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure proper functionality. - Coordination of the Intervention
An effective rescue requires precise coordination among all responders. This involves clear communication, proper resource management, and quick decision-making. Adherence to established procedures and flexibility in responding to unforeseen circumstances are essential to ensure everyone’s safety. According to a 2023 article published in Frontiers in Public Health, effective health and safety communication is a key factor in reducing accidents related to human factors and improving overall workplace safety. (source : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10442955/)
- Post-Intervention
In Canada, most authorities require a full review of the confined space rescue plan after every incident, even if no injury occurred. This ensures continuous improvement and helps prevent future events. A thorough evaluation of the incident must be conducted to identify root causes and implement corrective measures. This includes reviewing safety procedures, updating training, and improving equipment. A structured debriefing promotes continuous improvement in confined space safety.
Risk assessment and rescue procedures in confined spaces are fundamental to ensuring worker safety. A proactive approach based on hazard identification, risk evaluation, implementation of control measures, continuous monitoring, training, and rescue preparedness helps prevent incidents and enables effective emergency response.
For more detailed information on confined space rescue procedures, visit this article: Confined Spaces Rescue
