Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC
12
Months
of Safety
August 2023
Confined Space

Confined spaces are found in many manufacturing operations in places such as tanks, vats, process vessels, silos, and storage bins.

Every year, more than 100 Canadian workers are killed in confined spaces, which may contain toxic or explosive gas, insufficient oxygen, or other physical hazards. Sometimes an incident results in multiple deaths, with an untrained or poorly equipped worker attempting to rescue another worker who passed out or was injured in a confined space.

A confined space safety program is required by the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations and should include:

  • Documented identification and marking of confined spaces
  • Hazard assessment of confined spaces if entry is required
  • Signage prohibiting entry for unauthorized personnel
  • Safe work procedures developed for entry and emergency rescue
  • Training and supervision of all workers at-risk
  • Documentation retained as required
Basic Training
Course
Available by e-Learning
This course covers core elements of a confined space program and how to manage these spaces. It is designed to provide supervisors, entrants, and attendants with the knowledge required to understand confined spaces so they can plan and carry out necessary work safely. WorkSafeBC regulation requires any employer who has confined spaces to provide employees with awareness training
Confined Space Resources and Tools
Quick Reference Card
A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed area that is big enough for a worker to enter. It is not designed for someone to work in regularly, but workers may need to enter the confined space for tasks such as inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and repair.
A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed area that is big enough for a worker to enter. It is not designed for someone to work in regularly, but workers may need to enter the confined space for tasks such as inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and repair. A small opening or a layout with obstructions […]
Recent fatalities involving confined spaces demand that these areas be given more attention to reduce risk of injury or loss of life. The three men died after entering a structure in an Abbotsford mushroom farm in September, 2008. Two were “rescuers”. They inhaled fatal doses of toxic fumes. Two other workers / “rescuers” were left […]
Confined Spaces Confined spaces have limited openings for entry and exit, such as silos, vats, ship holds, sewers, tunnels, large pipelines, and other such spaces that workers could enter to perform work. Generally speaking, a confined space is: is enclosed or partially enclosed, is not designed or intended for continuous human occupancy, has limited or […]