Confined

Spaces
8 ways to recognize
a confined space
Do you know what a confined space is? Do you know
why it is dangerous? These are characteristics of a
confined space:

• It is large enough that a person can enter it to work.

O P L E D I E • It has limited or restricted access and exits.

SON S PE
5 REA D S P A C E S
• It is not designed for continuous human occupancy.

CO N FIN E • It may have a hazardous atmosphere, such as

IN scape before they are

ize a can e azard.
flammable vapors, toxic gases or too little oxygen.

n ’t r ec og n e by th e h • It may have the danger of engulfment by liquids or

• They do overcom solids such as granular material.
nfin ed sp ace. d down
co th eir gu ar
a c e is sa fe • They let h e co n fined • It may have a shape which could cause entrapment,
ume th e sp e r t
• They ass a s a fte r they ent
y c a n n ot sme l l g
d d o n o t r ealize a such as a sloping floor which tapers down to a
because th
e
e it “lo o k s” space an p ing. narrow point.
r b e ca u s is dev e lo
or vapor, o hazard
okay. re s cu e o thers, but • It may contain other hazards such as moving machinery,
e • T h ey try to o so safely. chemical substances or electrical equipment.
te t h to d
Th ey u n d erestima a re n o t equipped
• ink they
r. T h ey th • These are examples of confined spaces: vessels, tanks,
dange
vats, manholes, sewer tunnels, elevator shafts, storage
bins, hoppers, holds of ships, cisterns, pits, boilers,
stacks, pumping stations and equipment housings.

FACT or FICTION?
FICTION: The only people who need to know about the dangers of DID YOU KNOW?
confined spaces are those who actually work in them.
Studies have
shown more than half of the
FACT: You need to know about the dangers of confined spaces —
workers killed in confined space accidents were would-be rescuers.
even if you don’t work in them. Then you’ll know better than to enter
Confined space entry is not something to take lightly, and it is not something
a confined space unprepared, even to rescue someone.
to do on an impulse — even if the impulse is to save someone’s life. If you
are not properly equipped and trained for confined space entry, there will
be two victims instead of one.

U RV IV A L
3 S
A T E G I E S
T R
S 2
Learn how to use the special
protective equipment necessary

3
for confined space work. Follow your company’s policies including the confined
space entry permit system. This will ensure you are
properly prepared and protected from hazards. Other
personnel, also equipped for confined space entry, will
be on stand-by for rescue if something goes wrong.

1 Get training so you will recognize hazards and

know how to avoid them. Poster #P4443
www.SafetySmart.com
© Bongarde 1-800-667-9300
www.SafetyPoster.com Printed in Canada ������ ������