Confined Spaces
A confined space is defined as:
“Any space of an enclosed nature where there is a risk of death or serious injury from hazardous substances or dangerous conditions (e.g. lack of oxygen)”.
Whilst some plant room areas on campus fall into this category, there is the potential for confined spaces to be created during incidents, related to how the rooms are used and activities done in them are performed. For example:
- Unventilated or poorly ventilated rooms, if there is the potential for substances to be released
- Unventilated underground rooms or open-topped chambers
- Sewers and enclosed drains
The dangers associated with confined spaces arise from:
- A lack of oxygen; resulting from oxygen being consumed biologically or chemically or carbon dioxide or other gas being released
- Hazardous gases, vapours or fumes building up in the space, creating a harmful breathable atmosphere
- Space being filled by solids or liquids, displacing breathable air and trapping occupants
- Risk of fire and explosions if solvents or flammable gases have been released
- Heating, leasing to a dangerous increase in body temperature of occupants
If you recognise that your work area or an area you need to access might be classified as a confined space, contact the Health & Safety Team prior to attempting entry into the area.
If you suspect that during an incident (e.g. large spillage or gas release) your area might become a confined space:
- Identify the conditions and circumstances where this situation is a possibility
- Identify the control measures you need to put in place to ensure that this situation will not occur
- Write it down as a risk assessment
- Contact the Health & Safety Team and your Health and Safety Coordinator to verify that appropriate measures are in place prior to starting work on the activity.