Introduction

The Ontario Ministry of Labour defines a confined space as a "fully or partially enclosed space...that is not both designed and constructed for continuous human occupancy, and...in which atmospheric hazards may occur because of its construction, location or contents or because of work that is done in it." All of these requirements must be met for a space to be considered confined. Many hazards are associated with working in confined spaces, so it is important to take precautions to minimize danger. Employers and employees are responsible for managing these risks. Employers should provide adequate training as well as easy points of access and egress, and employees must keep up-to-date on training materials and avoid hazardous actions and situations on the job.

It is important to note that while taking precautions to minimize risk is one of the most important and effective methods of employee protection, it is not enough on its own. Without proper training, employees may not understand the implications of entering and working in a confined space. If an employee is not prepared for all possible outcomes, injury is far more likely to occur.

Becoming trapped in a confined space may be the most obvious danger, but there are several other situations that can contribute to injury or death. Atmospheric, fire, and energy source hazards are all present in confined spaces as well. It is important to have rescue measures in place and ready to go in case of an emergency.

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