Preparation to Enter Confined Spaces

Advance planning is essential when working in confined spaces. Failure to properly evaluate and prepare a confined space for work could lead to serious injury or even death. Examples of questions to consider when preparing to enter a confined space include the following:

• Is it a confined space?
• Is there an entry and exit point that is reasonably accessible, even in an emergency?
• Is there an effective rescue plan in place in case someone gets trapped or injured?
• Is ventilation, purging, or inerting required to improve air quality to safe levels?
• Will the work introduce more hazards than those already present in the space?
• Is it possible to perform the work from outside the confined space?

This is not a complete list of considerations, but it should give employers and workers a guideline for the types of things to look out for. If, after the initial evaluation of the confined space, it is evident that workers cannot safely perform their jobs, employers must improve the condition of the space to remove the risks.

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