Confined Spaces
What is a confined spaces?
The Confined Space Regulations 1997 defines confined spaces as any place including chambers, vats, silos, pits, trenches, pipes, flues, wells or other similar spaces which by virtue of its enclosed nature there arises a reasonably foreseeable “specified risk”. People whose work entails entering vessels, tanks, culverts, sewers or drains will essentially be working in a confined space.
Total Access offers a full range of Confined Spaces and Confined Space services including Confined Space Training, Confined Space Escape and Breathing Apparatus Training, Confined Space Search and Rescue Training, Confined space Rescue and Cover services, Confined Space Entry and Confined Space Access Services that will help companies with Confined space Access problems reduce and manage the specified risks involved.
What is a “specified risk” in the context of confined spaces?
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A specified risk is a serious injury to any person at work arising from a fire or an explosion within the confined space.
- The loss of consciousness of any person working in a confined space caused by:
- increase or loss of body temperature
- asphyxiation due to gas, fumes, vapour or lack of oxygen
- asphyxiation due to free flowing solids - Risks that are present in normal working conditions i.e slips and falls are also present in confined spaces their consequences however can be greatly exaggerated due to the inherent difficulties of access, egress and recovery from confined spaces.
The Responsibilities of Employers Who Carry Out Work Within Confined Spaces
Employers and Self Employed persons have a duty to comply with the Confined Space Regulations 1997. In order to ensure the safety of persons under their control, employers must:
- Conduct a risk assessment
- Prevent where possible the need to enter a confined space
- Establish a Safe System of Work
- Provide adequate training and ensure that persons are competent to enter the specific type of confined space in which they are to work.
- Provide the correct type and quantity of PPE.
- Establish emergency procedures
Confined Spaces Support Services
Total Access (UK) Ltd has vast experience of dealing with confined spaces and have performed confined space entry under the most hostile of environments. When buying our services our clients can have the confidence that they are receiving the experience they require whether it is in an operational, training or advisory capacity.
Our confined spaces support services comprise:
- Training
- Safety Supervision
- Equipment sales & Hire
- Consultancy
- Rescue & Recovery Services
Health and Safety Legislation and Confined Spaces
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is an enabling act and encompasses other statutory legislation including:
- Management of the Health and Safety at Work Regulations
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
- Ship Building and Ship Repair Regulations 1960
- Docks Regulations 1988
- Mines and Quarries Act 1954
- The Confined Space Regulations 1997
- Establish a rescue plan for recovering persons from confined spaces
Free leaflets
A range of informative literature providing advice and guidance.
Safe Working in Confined Spaces [250kb] 
Managing confined spaces on farms [60kb]
Working safely with solvents - A guide to safe working practices [20kb]
Docks
Sewage industry
