Working in confined spaces involves managing potential health and safety risks, a responsibility shared among various stakeholders. Designers, manufacturers, importers, suppliers, installers, and constructors of plant or structures all hold responsibilities in this regard.
The confined space work environment poses risks such as increased potential for injury due to noise, fumes, gases, oxygen depletion, high or low temperatures, manual handling, and slips, trips, and falls.
As a worker in such an environment, it is crucial to recognize that the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must take charge of managing the associated risks. Specific duties include obtaining confined space entry permits, implementing signage, ensuring effective communication, establishing emergency procedures, and conducting a comprehensive written risk assessment.
Examples of confined spaces encompass any enclosed or partially enclosed space not primarily designed for occupation, subjected to normal atmospheric pressure, and posing a risk due to atmosphere, contaminants, or engulfment. This may include certain excavations, trenches, drainage or sewerage pipes, and crawl spaces.
Hazards associated with working in confined spaces include oxygen deficiency, carbon monoxide build-up, atmospheric contaminants, and the risk of suffocation caused by solids.
WorkCover Queensland emphasizes the importance of notifying Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) of any dangerous incidents related to confined space work.
To prevent incidents, employers should implement safety measures such as assigning a stand-by person outside the confined space, providing necessary personal protective equipment and rescue equipment, delivering proper training, offering safety harnesses and safety lines, displaying entry-permit-required signs, and ensuring adequate ventilation.
The specific legal requirements for confined spaces are outlined in the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (WHS Regulation), Part 4.3 – Confined spaces, applicable to spaces that may be entered by any person. WorkCover Queensland provides guidance on managing confined space risks.