Confined Space Introduction

Confined spaces are included within virtually every working sector, including construction, transportation, agriculture, and mining. A confined space is a space that typically meets the following criteria:

• Is large enough to enter so that workers can perform certain jobs
• Has a limited or restricted means for entry or exit
• Is not designed for continual occupancy

There are two types of confined spaces: permit-required confined spaces (PRCS) or non-permit required confined spaces. A permit-required confined space contains one or more of the following characteristics:

• Contains or has potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere
• Contains a material that has the potential to engulf an entrant
• Has an internal configuration with the potential of trapping or asphyxiating an entrant by its inwardly converging walls or by a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section
• Contains any other serious safety or health hazards

A non-permit required space does not contain or have the potential to contain any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm. Throughout this course we will mainly look at PRCS.

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