Confined Spaces in the Workplace: Definition & Related Hazards

Confined spaces present unique challenges and hazards in the workplace. In this lesson, you'll learn more
about the OSHA definition of confined spaces and some of the risks involved in these types of conditions.

What are Confined Spaces?

Some people work in really small spaces like tiny offices or cubicles separated only by fabric
walls. On the other hand, some people work in confined spaces - pits, cellars, storage containers
or wells- that are tightly enclosed and present greater health and safety hazards. This lesson is
going to focus on the latter.

Confined spaces, as defined by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), are
those spots at work that are typically not meant for human entry, but are large enough for
workers to carry out certain work-related tasks in. You might even have a few confined spaces at
your workplace, such as:

Water tanks

Silos

Storage bins

Vaults

Manholes

Tunnels

Ducts

Pits

Crawlspaces

Cellars

Pipelines

Confined spaces are not built for long-term occupancy, but may require jobs to be performed
on a limited basis by workplace employees. Getting into and out of a confined space can be
challenging because of its size or restricted entry or exit points.

Because of their size, confined spaces present more danger to employees due to an increased
risk of an accident or injury that may require emergency action or response. Confined spaces
could taper into an area where a worker has reduced oxygen, where they are exposed to live
wires, or exposed to elements such as intense heat or cold. Confined spaces even have the
ability to trap an entrant and make existing extremely difficult or even impossible.
Hazards of Confined Spaces

Because confined spaces present unique challenges, they also pose unique hazards, or
dangers. These risks may include things like fire, extreme heat, oxygen deprivation, exposure to
toxic chemicals or substances, oxygen enrichment, or flammable conditions.

Let's look at a few examples:

Tom is working inside the ductwork of his company's heating system. The presence of combustible
dust could be both a breathing and fire hazard to Tom's chore.

Angela is working in a pit adjacent to a vat of toxic chemicals. Without taking proper precautions, the
chemicals could fall into the pit where Angela is, causing burns, skin reactions, or even death.

Darnell has to do some rewiring in a cellar accessible through an extremely small entry point in the
floor of the warehouse. Left too long, Darnell could be at risk of oxygen deprivation or could be
exposed to live wires that were not properly shut off.

Valerie has to enter a pit at work for a routine cleaning procedure. She is at risk of being exposed to
liquids that could flow in on top of her, causing her to drown.

Jesse has to wear multiple layers of protective equipment when he completes parts of his job inside
of a pipeline. Due to the extreme heat and the extra layers, Jesse could suffer complications from a heat
stroke or heat stress.

Protecting Workers in Confined Spaces

OSHA has developed certain standards for workplace safety and rules governing confined
spaces are no different. These policies are created not only to inform employees about the
existence of potentially dangerous confined spaces in their workplace, but also to protect
employees from the hazards associated with confined spaces.

To ensure that employers are meeting OSHA rules, proper signage indicating what confined
spaces exist, where they are, and the potential hazards they entail must be displayed. OSHA
requires employers with confined spaces that are not to be entered to take proper precautions
to keep employees from entering the space. Confined spaces that are accessible must have a
written program in place for accessing, working in, and safeguarding oneself against the
hazards associated with the confined space.

In addition to administrative controls like a written program, employers with confined spaces
can also implement engineering controls such as mechanical ventilation and should issue
appropriate personal protective equipment to mitigate risks such as gloves, oxygen masks,
protective eyewear or earplugs.

Lesson Summary
Confined spaces, as defined by OSHA, are those spots at work that are typically not meant for
human entry, but are large enough for workers to carry out certain work-related tasks in.
Confined spaces are not meant to have continual occupancy and often have restricted entry or
Confined spaces are not meant to have continual occupancy and often have restricted entry or
exit points. They may include things like cellars, pits, vaults, tunnels, ducts, or pipelines. As such,
these spaces present unique hazards for employees who must work in them. Some of those
risks may include oxygen deprivation, intense heat or exposure to toxic chemicals or

substances. OSHA has developed certain standards business must follow if they have confined
spaces in the workplace, including providing proper signage to show what confined spaces exist,
where they are, and the hazard present. If a confined space is not meant to be entered,
employers must take precautions to prevent access. If a confined space is meant to be entered,
a written program for accessing, work in, and safeguarding oneself must be created.
Engineering controls and appropriate protective equipment should also be considered.

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