Employer Responsibilities

Employers are responsible for the setup and maintenance of work sites, including confined spaces. The employer's responsibilities include determining whether a workspace is a confined space and ensuring that proper protocol is followed. The best method of making sure the work site is safe is to provide adequate training to all employees involved in confined space work. This program must cover general practices for working in a confined space, all equipment used on the job, potential hazards, safeguards implemented, and so forth. The training must also be available in the primary language of employees to ensure their understanding and comprehension as it pertains to equipment, usage, and hazards. In addition to the general training, all workers must undergo plan-specific training, which will pertain to the particular work site and procedures implemented there. Hands-on training is highly recommended in addition to the classroom portion. The employer must keep a written record of employees who undergo training to ensure that everyone working on site has been adequately prepared, and this record may be displayed on the entry permit.

The Ministry of Labour recommends that confined space training cover the following topics:

• Recognition and identification of potential hazards associated with the confined spaces
• Evaluation and control procedures for the identified or potential hazards
• All equipment that must be used in the confined space, such as ventilation equipment (blowers), and air quality monitors (oxygen/combustible meters)
• All personal protective equipment (such as harnesses and respirators) that the workers will use in the confined space
• All procedures for entering the confined space
• Procedures to follow in case of a sudden increased risk or emergency
• The specific work to be done while in the confined space

To learn more about Confined Spaces visit our Canada Confined Space Online Training web page.