Confined spaces

awareness training
What all agricultural workers
need to know
Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................1
Program goals................................................................................................................................1

Contents and approach of the orientation session................................................................. 2

Preparation.................................................................................................................................... 3

For more information............................................................................ 4

Orientation activities............................................................................ 5

Handout materials............................................................................... 17
Worker Rights and Responsibilities..........................................................................................18

Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know i
Introduction
Incidents in confined spaces are rare, but when they do occur the
consequences can be catastrophic. Confined space incidents can
happen suddenly, often without any warning that something is
wrong. Since 2000, eighteen workers have died in confined
spaces in British Columbia, as have many others across Canada
and the United States. These workers would not have died had
they been aware of the hazards in confined spaces and followed
safe work procedures while working in these spaces.

That’s why this training has been developed. By orienting workers

to the dangers and safe work practices associated with confined
spaces — and by training employers about how to safely manage
confined space hazards on their worksites — tragic workplace
injuries and loss of life can be avoided.

Program goals

This awareness program has been designed to orient workers to

the range of confined space hazards and risks to be found across
the agricultural sector. Specifically, workers should be able to:

•• Identify workers’ rights and responsibilities with respect to

workplace safety
•• Recognize confined spaces in agricultural workplaces
•• Describe the various hazards associated with confined spaces,
including risks and potential consequences for those entering
•• Demonstrate how they should respond when encountering a
confined space within their workplace (e.g., look for, interpret
and respect signage, avoid entry, communicate with employer/
supervisor)

This worker awareness training provides a general orientation to

workplace safety and the issue of confined spaces; however, it
does not replace the workplace-specific health and safety training
that employers are required to provide to all workers.

This worker orientation session is designed to complement the

parallel training session for agricultural employers.

Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know 1
 Contents and approach of the orientation session

This training session is designed to be delivered in a single session

taking approximately 2 hours.

The training materials for the session consist of

•• This facilitator guide, which outlines the procedure for the

orientation session
•• A PowerPoint presentation to be used during the activities

Because many of the participants in this orientation session may

have minimal levels of literacy, content is delivered using visual
and oral strategies rather than written ones. The bulk of the
content is delivered using the PowerPoint presentation. To facilitate
use of these, this facilitator guide includes thumbnail images of the
PowerPoint slides alongside speaker notes for presenting the
information (see the following example). The speaker notes are
given in “script” form. However the script is only a guideline, and it
is strongly recommended that you not read this off the page word
for word, but instead find your own words to deliver this
information more naturally and comfortably.

PowerPoint Slide Presenter Script

11 Mobile equipment such as manure tanks, feed mixers,

hoppers, and spreaders can be especially dangerous.
They might not look like it, but these too are confined
spaces. They have a lot of the hazards we’ve discussed
before, including Ü toxic gases, Ü low oxygen,
Ü bacteria and moulds, Ü mechanical equipment, and
Ü cleaning chemicals.
Remember, these would only be confined spaces if
workers could actually get into them.

12 What about these?

Where you see the Ü symbol it is an indicator that slide
incorporatesCrawlspaces
“animation”or tocellars
allow like
textthese
to bemay contain Ü
revealed
incrementally.toxic each Ü
At gases or,Ü a low
click theoxygen atmosphere
right arrow key onifyour
there
is not enough
computer to reveal the text. natural ventilation. There may also be
a buildup of biological hazards such as bacteria and
moulds. There’s also a risk from another hazard we
haven’t talked about yet, which is poisonous or disease-
carrying vermin such as Ü spiders or snakes (especially
in the BC Interior). Obviously those are hazards in other
parts of agricultural workplaces as well, but they’re
2 Confined spaces awareness training:particularly
What all agricultural
dangerous workers need tospace
in a confined know because it’s
harder for you to keep away and avoid contact.
 The orientation session is also designed to encourage as much
involvement and discussion by the participants as possible.
People learn better when they are actively involved, and when
they see opportunities to connect new information with what they
already know. Participants should be encouraged to share their
experiences with each other as part of the orientation session.

Preparation

Review the orientation activities thoroughly so that you are

familiar with the procedures and content.

Make the necessary physical setup arrangements before the

orientation session:

•• Set up the room so that participants can see you, and each other,
easily. Find out how many participants will be in attendance,
and remove any extra chairs – this will prevent participants from
spreading themselves out around the room.
•• Set up the screen or smartboard, and computer or tablet with the
PowerPoint presentation ready to run.
•• Make copies of the optional handout materials, “Worker Rights
and Responsibilities” (found at the end of this guide).

You should also acquire sufficient copies of the worker booklet,

Confined spaces in agriculture: A handbook for workers, to
distribute to participants. Note that this booklet is available in
languages other than English (including Chinese, French, Korean,
Punjabi, Spanish, and Vietnamese). If you know ahead of time that
English is not your participants’ primary language, obtain copies
of the relevant language editions of the booklet to distribute.

Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know 3
For more information
This guide has been designed to provide you with all the basic
information you will need to conduct the worker orientation
session. However if you want more information on the topics of
confined spaces and workplace health and safety, you may wish
to consult some of the following sources.

WorkSafeBC
www.worksafebc.com

Confined Spaces Centre of Excellence

To access information specific to confined spaces in
agriculture, visit the WorkSafeBC main web page then select
Agriculture from the dropdown “by industry” menu

OHS Reg – Part 9 – Confined Spaces

www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/OHSRegulation/Part9.asp

Guideline
www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/OHSRegulation/
GuidelinePart9.asp

FARSHA – Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association

www.farsha.bc.ca

4 Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know
Orientation activities
What You’ll Need

•• PowerPoint Presentation — Confined Spaces Awareness: What

all agricultural workers need to know
•• Optional handout: Worker Rights and Responsibilities
•• Booklet: Confined spaces in agriculture — A handbook for
workers

Approximate Time

•• 120 minutes

Procedure

(1) Begin by welcoming participants to the session. Introduce

yourself and tell participants about your background.

(2) Explain that the purpose of this orientation session is to help

them learn more about confined spaces, which is one
particular type of hazard that can be found at many
agricultural workplaces.

(3) Begin by asking the following questions. After each question,

allow time for discussion.

–– What type of agricultural workplaces do you work in now,

or have you worked at in the past?
–– How many of you had a worker safety training or orientation
when you first began your job in agriculture?
➢➢ Ask any individuals who want to share the nature of the
training they received. How long was it? Who delivered
the training? Where did it take place? What topics were
covered?

Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know 5
 Using participants’ input as a starting point, fill in with the
following points as necessary. This will allow you to quickly
review the information that should be part of all workers’ initial
orientation to any new job.
–– Did you learn about your workplace rights? For example, did
you learn about your right to a safe working environment,
your right to training and supervision, your right to
appropriate personal protective equipment, and your right
to refuse to do work that may put yourself or another
worker in danger?
•• Did you learn about your responsibilities, such as your
responsibility to pay attention to health and safety training,
follow all health and safety procedures, and wear your personal
protective equipment?
•• Did you learn about specific safety procedures for your
workplace, such as who your first aid attendant is and how to
perform work tasks safely?

(If you determine that workers have not been oriented at their
workplaces, you may decide to distribute the optional
handout, Worker Rights and Responsibilities, found at the end
of this resource.)

(4) Introduce the topic of confined spaces by specifically asking

about this aspect of workers’ prior training (or by highlighting
any mention of confined spaces that may already have
occurred):

–– Did your safety training include any information about

confined spaces?
–– Are there any confined spaces at your workplaces?
➢➢ Ask for individuals to give examples.

(5) Start the PowerPoint Presentation.

6 Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know
PowerPoint Slide Presenter Script

1 I’m going to show you some images of the types

Confined spaces
What all agricultural workers need to know
of confined spaces you might find in agricultural
workplaces. As we look at each one, we’ll talk about the
kind of hazards that you might be exposed to if you’re
working in this kind of setting.

Although I’ll be asking you questions, this is not a

test. It’s just an opportunity to see how many of these
confined spaces you’re familiar with, and to talk about
some of the reasons why there are specific rules and
regulations about working around confined spaces.

2 Let’s start by talking about what confined spaces are.

What is a confined space?
[Write these four points on a flip chart at the front of
the room so that you can refer to them throughout the
presentation.] The most obvious part of the definition
is that confined spaces are Ü enclosed. They may be
fully enclosed, or they may be partially enclosed as
we’ll see in some examples later.

Ü They’re also big enough for a worker to get inside.

2

A small box, for example, would not be considered a

confined space even though it’s enclosed. Some types
of mobile equipment are large enough for workers to
get inside and would be considered confined spaces –
some are too small.

Ü Confined spaces are not intended for general

working or occupancy. They are only entered in
special circumstance, such as inspection, cleaning,
maintenance, or repair. Workspaces intended for
“human occupancy” have:
•• Lighting
•• Ventilation
•• Furniture
•• Heating /Air conditioning

Ü Many confined spaces have small openings, which

can make entry and exit difficult and can complicate
rescue procedures in an emergency.

All four of these statements (in the list on the slide)

must be true in order for the space to be considered a
“confined space”.

Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know 7
PowerPoint Slide Presenter Script

3 So let’s start by looking at some spaces you might be

Grain bins working around in agricultural workplaces. This picture
shows grain bins like the ones you might find on a lot of
farms. Are they a confined space risk?

[Wait for responses.]

Yes, these are definitely confined spaces, even though

they can be very large. How many of you have bins like
3

these on your worksites?

[Wait for responses.]

So we know that they are confined spaces. But can you

guess what the specific hazards are here?

[Wait for responses.]

Ü Toxic gases such as carbon dioxide can build up

in these grain bins, particularly if the grain is wet.
Ü There are risks from the lack of oxygen, as well as
the possibility of being Ü engulfed and trapped or
suffocated by the grain. Ü There might be a risk from
bacteria and moulds. These could cause mild symptoms,
such as coughing, itchy eyes, stuffy nose, sneezing, or
sore throat. They could also cause more serious and
long-term diseases. Ü And if there is any equipment
inside such as an auger, that could cause crushing injury.

4 This one is an example of a milk tank that you might

Milk tank find on a dairy farm.

Do you think this is a confined spaces?

[Wait for responses.]

Yes, these are pretty easy to identify as confined

4 spaces. Can you guess why this might be a hazard to
workers?

[Wait for responses.]

Ü Workers here could face injury from the mechanical

parts inside the tank. Ü There is also a potential risk
from toxic gases from the chemicals used to clean the
tanks.

8 Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know
PowerPoint Slide Presenter Script

5 So what about this manure pond. Is it a confined space?

Manure pond
Even though it’s open at the top, this is indeed an
example of a confined space (especially once it is
empty). That’s one of the things we’ll be discussing
today. It’s considered a confined space because a
worker could get inside and not be able to escape from
5
specific hazards.

So what are the risks here? Ü There is a risk here

from toxic gases coming off the decomposing manure,
which is dangerous on its own or when it creates a Ü
low oxygen atmosphere. There is also a risk here from
Ü drowning. Drowning, suffocation, and toxic gases
are common hazards of confined spaces in agriculture.
Other potential risks include Ü bacteria and moulds,
and injury from Ü moving machinery such as agitators
or pumps.

This particular type of confined space is also a good

example to talk about because it was the site of a
tragic incident in 2007. Four family members and a
worker died from exposure to deadly hydrogen sulfide
gas in a manure pit on a dairy farm. The farmer was
transferring liquid manure from a small pit to a larger
pit when he stopped to fix a blocked pipe inside the
small pit. The farmer collapsed after he entered the
pit. The worker climbed into the pit to help the farmer
and was also overcome. The farmer’s wife and two
daughters made their way into the pit when the farmer
and the worker didn’t come out. They, too, succumbed
to the deadly gas.

Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know 9
PowerPoint Slide Presenter Script

6 These are examples of the type of water tanks you

Open-top water tanks might see at a lot of agricultural workplaces. Do you
think these are confined spaces?

Yes, like the manure pond, they are confined spaces

even though they are open at the top. Can anyone guess
what types of hazards might be in these tanks?

Even though they might look like they contain only

6

water, there is still a potential Ü toxic gas and Ü low

oxygen risk because of organic material that might
settle in the bottom of the tank. Ü Obviously there is a
drowning risk as well. Ü There could also be bacteria or
moulds present that can cause disease. Ü There might
also be a hazard from the cleaning chemicals used.

7 Tanks like these are common on ranches and feedlots,

Closed additive tanks and contain additives for livestock feed. When organic
materials enter the tanks and start to decay, there’s
a potential danger from Ü toxic gases or a Ü low
oxygen environment. There’s also a risk of Ü drowning
here, like in most tanks. Ü Bacteria and moulds could
be present, and there may be risks from Ü cleaning
7
chemicals as well.

8 The boiler shown here is in a greenhouse, but you

Boilers might find a similar one in other agricultural settings.
Why might boilers like this be hazardous? Even though
boilers contain water, a worker is not in danger of
drowning because the water runs in tubes.

Ü This type of confined space could contain mineral

8
and chemical hazards such as asbestos or silica dust.
Ü There is also a potential risk of burns from hot
surfaces, Ü as well as the hazards from welding fumes
if welding work is being done.

10 Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know
PowerPoint Slide Presenter Script

9 This brown water tank is another one that’s open at the

Brown water tanks top, but still a confined space. It has many of the same
hazards we’ve already talked about, including
Ü toxic gases, Ü low oxygen, Ü bacteria and moulds,
Ü moving machinery, and Ü drowning. The toxic
gases found near these tanks can also be hazardous to
workers outside the confined space.
9

This is also good reminder that sometimes a confined

space already has potentially hazardous materials within
it, but other times the space is risky because of the
hazards that can enter the confined space through a
pipe — hazards such as gases, substances that can burn,
or liquids or solids that could trap or drown you.

10 This pump shed is another confined space example to

Pump sheds talk about because of something you may have heard
about; an incident that happened in 2008 in this pump
shed on a mushroom composting facility in Langley.
Three workers were trying to clear a blocked intake
pipe in the shed. When the pipe was disconnected, one
worker complained of a strange smell, then collapsed.
10
A second worker remained in the shed with the injured
worker while the supervisor went for help. Before
emergency services arrived, several other workers
entered the shed to help.

When the ambulance and fire crews arrived at the

site, they found the supervisor outside the pump
shed, disoriented and having trouble breathing. Five
other workers were recovered from the pump shed.
Three workers were dead and two suffered severe and
permanent brain injuries from exposure to the toxic
gases in the shed. Ü

This is a rare example, but shows what can happen

when workers are not trained or prepared for working in
a confined space.

Other potential hazards here include Ü low oxygen,

Ü bacteria and moulds, Ü mechanical equipment, and
Ü electric shock.

Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know 11
PowerPoint Slide Presenter Script

11 Mobile equipment such as manure tanks, feed mixers,

Mobile equipment — hoppers, and spreaders can be especially dangerous.
manure tanks
They might not look like it, but these too are confined
spaces. They have a lot of the hazards we’ve discussed
before, including Ü toxic gases, Ü low oxygen,
Ü bacteria and moulds, Ü mechanical equipment,
and Ü cleaning chemicals.
11

Remember, these would only be confined spaces if

workers could actually get into them.

12 What about these?

Crawl spaces
Crawlspaces or cellars like these may contain
Ü toxic gases or Ü a low oxygen atmosphere if there
is not enough natural ventilation. There may also be
a buildup of biological hazards such as bacteria and
moulds. There’s also a risk from another hazard we
12
haven’t talked about yet, which is poisonous or disease-
carrying vermin such as Ü spiders or snakes (especially
in the BC Interior). Obviously those are hazards in other
parts of agricultural workplaces as well, but they’re
particularly dangerous in a confined space because it’s
harder for you to keep away and avoid contact.

12 Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know
PowerPoint Slide Presenter Script

13 What about this image?

Storm water manholes
Sumps and storm water manholes can be a hazard
when organic debris or sediment that has collected
starts to decompose, giving off Ü toxic gases. |
There are also potential hazards from Ü low oxygen,
Ü bacteria and moulds, and Ü drowning.
13

14 Septic tanks have similar hazards from Ü toxic gases.

Sanitary – septic tanks
There are also potential hazards from Ü low oxygen,
Ü bacteria and moulds, and Ü drowning.

14

15 Workers have died working in valve boxes and

Valve boxes / chambers chambers like this because of Ü toxic gases and a
Ü low oxygen environment. Ü There’s also a potential
hazard here from bacteria and moulds.

15

Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know 13
PowerPoint Slide Presenter Script

16 Now that we’ve talked about some examples, are there

any other types of confined spaces that you can think
of that you might find in agricultural workplaces?

[Wait for responses and allow time for discussion.]

Let’s review the types of hazards and risks that can exist
in a confined space in agriculture:
16

•• Drowning, suffocation, or engulfment from liquids,

solids, or lack of oxygen
•• Toxic gases
•• Biological hazards such as bacteria and moulds
•• Moving parts of equipment and machinery that can
cause crushing injuries
•• Electrocution
•• Extreme heat, which can cause burns or heat stress
•• Extreme cold, which can cause hypothermia or
frostbite
•• Poisonous and disease-carrying vermin such as
spiders, snakes, and rodents
•• Explosions. These can happen if the atmosphere
inside a confined space is combustible. Certain
gases, or even the dust associated with grain handling
or wood cutting can cause deadly explosions. This
type of risk is more common in other workplaces
such as sawmills or oil and gas facilities, but can also
be an issue in some agricultural settings.

Some of these hazards can cause minor injuries, and

others can cause more serious, long-term injuries or
even death. Since 2000, eighteen workers have died in
confined spaces in British Columbia and many others
across Canada and the United States. These workers
would not have died if they had been aware of the
hazards in confined spaces and followed safe work
procedures while working in these spaces. That’s why
it’s important to know what the hazards are and follow
the safety rules at all times.

14 Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know
PowerPoint Slide Presenter Script

17 If you are ever required to work in a confined space,

•  Keep out the law requires that your employer must first train you
•  Do not enter
even to rescue about the safety procedures. This orientation that we’re
someone, unless
you have been
doing today does not replace that training, as it may
trained
not cover your particular workplace. However we can
•  Talk to your
employer or still talk about general safety rules for working around
supervisor
confined spaces.
17

Ü Keep out. This is the most important safety rule for

confined spaces. Never enter a confined space unless
you have the permission and training to do so, and
unless you are sure that all the necessary precautions
are in place.

Ü Do not enter even to rescue someone else, unless

you have been trained. This one can be difficult, since
if we see a co-worker in trouble our instinct is to help
them. However you will not be helping them if you get
injured yourself, and could even make rescue more
difficult. If you see someone who looks like they’re
in danger in a confined space, call your supervisor
or emergency personnel immediately. The correct
emergency response procedures should be part of your
workplace safety training.

Ü Talk to your supervisor or employer. This is a good

strategy for any workplace safety issue, and it definitely
applies here. If there are confined spaces at your
workplace that do not have signs like the one you see
here, talk to your supervisor. If you are asked to work in
a confined space but haven’t been trained, talk to your
supervisor. As a worker it’s your right to have the proper
information you need to do your job safely, and it’s your
responsibility to report any perceived hazards on the job.

Remember, you also have the right to refuse unsafe

work without worrying about losing your job or having
your pay deducted. Your employer has an interest in
keeping you safe as well, since a safe workplace is a
more productive and profitable one. Employers also
benefit from safe workplaces because their payments
to WorkSafeBC are lower when there are no accidents
or injuries.

Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know 15
(6) Keep this PowerPoint slide on screen, and ask participants if they’ve ever seen warning
signs like this in their workplaces. Discuss, using questions such as the following:

–– Where are these signs placed?

–– Do you think these were the best locations for these signs?
–– Are there any other confined spaces at your workplace that don’t have signs?
–– What should you do if you know of a confined space without a sign? (Answers should
include: Do not enter, talk to your supervisor or employer.)
–– Who should you talk to if you have questions about confined spaces? (Answers should
include: Supervisor, boss/employer, health and safety representative.)

Reiterate that the safest response in any situation where they are unsure is to keep out.

(7) Continue with the PowerPoint.

PowerPoint Slide Presenter Script

18 For more information: www.WorkSafeBC.com

You can always visit the WorkSafeBC website to find
out more about confined spaces or other workplace
safety issues.

For information about agricultural topics, including

confined spaces, Ü select Agriculture from the pull-
down menu to go to that page.
18

Note too that a lot of WorkSafeBC information is

available in other languages, including Chinese, French,
Korean, Punjabi, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Ü Just click
on the language tabs at the top of the page.

20 WorkSafeBC has also published a booklet about

confined spaces specifically for agricultural workers.
We have copies of this booklet for you to take away
with you today.

This booklet is also available in other languages.

19

(8) Distribute the worker booklet, Confined spaces in agriculture: A handbook for workers. If
there’s time left, take a few minutes to review the contents. Explain that this booklet
contains more detailed information about confined spaces. You could hand this booklet
out at the beginning of the presentation, rather than the end.

(9) Use the remaining time for questions. Thank the participants for their time.

16 Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know
Handout materials

Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know 17
 Worker Rights and Responsibilities

All workers in B.C. have the right to:

•• A safe working environment

•• Proper health and safety information, instruction, and training
•• Supervision to make sure the job is done safely
•• Well-maintained and functioning personal protective equipment
•• Right to refuse to do work that may endanger a worker’s safety or put a worker’s health at risk
•• Right to participate in workplace health and safety committees and activities
•• Refuse to do any work that might create an undue hazard to the health and safety of any person

All workers in B.C. have the responsibility to:

•• Pay attention to health and safety training

•• Follow all health and safety procedures
•• Ask questions when information is unclear
•• Always wear personal protective equipment and keep it in good condition
•• Use machinery and equipment properly
•• Familiarize themselves with emergency procedures, location of fire extinguishers, emergency
exits, etc.
•• Report any perceived hazards on the job to the supervisor

Safety Orientation and Training

Employers must provide all workers with health and safety orientation and training that is
specific to the workplace. This training must include the following topics:

•• Worker rights and responsibilities

•• The name and contact information for the worker’s supervisor
•• Workplace health and safety rules
•• Hazards to which the new worker may be exposed
•• Working alone or in isolation
•• Violence in the workplace
•• Personal protective equipment
•• Location of first aid facilities and means of summoning first aid and reporting illnesses and
injuries
•• Emergency procedures
•• Instruction and demonstration of the worker’s work task or work process
•• The employer’s health and safety program, if required
•• Any WHMIS information relevant to the job
•• Contact information for the occupational health and safety committee or the worker health
and safety representative, as applicable to the workplace

18 Confined spaces awareness training: What all agricultural workers need to know