Confined Spaces

2 Confined space hazard identification

The principal and/or their delegate, in consultation with Health and Safety Representatives (HSR) and employees must ensure that hazards with confined spaces are identified and recorded in the ‘Hazard Description’ column in the OHS risk register (XLSX) (for example, confined spaces).

Examples include:

• loss of consciousness, injury or death due to immediate effects of airborne contaminants
• fire or explosion from the ignition of flammable contaminants
• asphyxiation resulting from oxygen deficiency or from stored material, for example, grain
• restricted means of entry and exit, for example, a drain with only one entry/exit point
• contact with micro-organisms, such as viruses, bacteria or fungi potentially resulting in infectious disease, dermatitis or lung conditions
• noise generated in the confined space from the use of plant
• hazardous manual handling.