Confined Space Safety Tips to Keep Your Crew Safe

Confined spaces are some of the most dangerous environments in the construction industry. With limited openings, restricted movement, and hazardous conditions, they demand careful planning and the right equipment to keep workers safe.

Confined space safety isn’t just about checking off a list—it’s about ensuring your crew gets home in one piece.

What is Confined Space Entry?

Confined spaces are any area not designed for people to work in regularly but where work occasionally happens. Think tanks, crawl spaces, silos, or pipelines. These spaces often have limited openings, making it tough to get in and out safely.

The Potential Hazards of Confined Spaces

Confined spaces come with unique risks that are often invisible but deadly. Common confined space incidents include:

• Oxygen deficiency: Low oxygen levels can cause suffocation, creating an oxygen deficient environment that is hazardous for workers.
• Toxic gases: Substances like carbon monoxide can accumulate and poison workers.
• Flammable atmosphere: Certain gases can ignite and cause explosions.
• Structural risks: Tight spaces may collapse or restrict movement in emergencies.

Before any work begins, it is important to evaluate the potential hazards of the space. Below are actionable tips your team can take to ensure confined space safety and protect workers from potential dangers while maintaining compliance with safety regulations.

Confined Space Safety Tips

1. Conduct a Risk Assessment

Before any work begins, every confined space should be carefully assessed for risks. A competent person should identify potential hazards and ensure a plan is in place to address them.

Here’s how to conduct an effective risk assessment:

• Perform a hazard assessment: Check for toxic gases, structural issues, oxygen deficiency, or a flammable atmosphere.
• Atmospheric testing: Use gas detectors to measure oxygen content, check for carbon monoxide, and detect explosive substances.
• Evaluate the work environment: Are there obstacles or debris that could complicate movement?
• Document findings: A competent person should record identified risks and recommend controls in the project’s safety plan.
• Reassess regularly: Conditions can change quickly in confined spaces, so monitoring is continuous throughout the job.

2. Use the Right Equipment

The tools you bring into a confined space are your first line of defense. High-quality, field-tested safety equipment ensures that your crew is equipped to handle the specific hazards of the job.

• Ventilation equipment to improve air quality.
• Retrieval systems and rescue equipment like tripods and winches to extract workers during emergencies.
• Gas detectors can provide real-time readings of atmospheric conditions to detect hazards like carbon monoxide and flammable atmospheres.
• Reliable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as harnesses and lifelines.

Make sure all confined space equipment is inspected and in good condition before each use.

3. Follow a Permit System

If a confined space is classified as a permit space, strict procedures are legally required to ensure the safety of everyone involved. 

Steps to implement a permit system:

• Create an entry permit: This document should outline:
  • The hazards present.
  • Protective measures in place.
  • Authorized personnel involved, including authorized entrants and entry supervisors.
  • Emergency contacts and rescue procedures.
• Assign an entry supervisor: This person ensures all safety measures are followed and gives the final authorization to enter.
• Display the permit: Post the entry permit at the space’s entrance so all crew members are aware of the conditions and requirements.

4. Train Your Crew

Proper training is non-negotiable. Every worker involved in confined space tasks—whether an authorized entrant, entry supervisor, or part of the rescue team—needs to understand:

• The risks associated with confined spaces.
• How to use space equipment effectively.
• Emergency procedures, including non-entry rescue techniques.

Online courses tailored to construction workers can help meet OSHA’s training requirements. Remember, even the best equipment is useless if your team doesn’t know how to use it.

5. Plan for Emergencies

No matter how prepared you are, emergencies can still happen. A solid emergency plan can mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy. Be prepared with:

• A well-defined non-entry rescue plan to reduce risk to rescuers.
• Readily available retrieval equipment like harnesses and winches.
• A trained and ready-to-act rescue team.

An emergency plan isn’t just a checklist—it’s a life-saving measure that every job site should prioritize.

Workplace Safety is Non-Negotiable: How Malta Dynamics Can Help

By assessing risks, using proper confined space equipment, and preparing for emergencies, you can create a safer environment for your crew. Remember, no task is worth putting a life in danger.

At Malta Dynamics, we understand the challenges of confined space work because we’ve been there. Our field-tested safety solutions include:

• Durable personal protective equipment like harnesses and self-retracting lifelines.
• Reliable retrieval systems and ventilation equipment to handle the toughest environments.
• Expertly crafted space programs and safety plans to meet OSHA requirements.
• Comprehensive training programs, offered on-site or at convenient locations near you, ensure your team is fully equipped to handle confined space challenges.

Whether you’re looking to buy, rent, or train, Malta Dynamics is your partner in safety. Contact us today to learn how we can help keep your crew safe and confident on the job.