Health & Safety Risk Management System

S05 - Confined Spaces

A confined space is an enclosed area where the risk of death through exposure to hazardous substances or dangerous situations is excessively high.

A number of people are killed or seriously injured in the UK each year in confined spaces. These occur across a wide range of industries, from those involving complex plant through simple storage vessels. Those killed include not only people working in the confined spaces but those who try to rescue them without proper training or equipment.

These procedures detail how to identify confined spaces using a simple confined space checklist. Information is provided on what to consider as part of the risk assessment. There are details on control measures and permit to work as well as an emergency plan.