Resources - Confined Space Hazards in Different Industries
Types of Confined Spaces |
Hazards in Confined Spaces |
Working Safely in Confined Spaces |
Confined Space Hazards in Different Industries |
Confined Space Training |
Confined Space Rescue |
Confined Space Videos |
Hazard Alerts and Bulletins
The following links list publications and other resources to help with confined space issues. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.
Agriculture
Confined Space Safety in BC Agriculture: A Resource Guide (PDF 1.5 KB) 
This resource guide provides general information on confined spaces and describes the requirements for due diligence. In preparing this resource guide, FARSHA has consulted with farm owners and workers in many communities. As well, this resource guide has been reviewed by staff at WorkSafeBC.
Source: FARSHA
NIOSH Update: Preventing Deaths of Farm Workers in Manure Pits
"The tragic deaths of four members of a Virginia farm family and a farm employee on July 2, 2007, highlight the importance of vigilance when entering manure pits or tanks. Accumulations of methane, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia can pose a life-threatening risk of suffocation and other dangers. The immediacy and magnitude of the hazard may not be readily apparent."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Beware of Manure Pit Hazards
"Since the increased use of manure pits by Michigan livestock producers, there have been several instances where a farmer, family member, or employee has asphyxiated or succumbed to toxic gases from the pit. Cases have been reported where several individuals have died while attempting to rescue a coworker or family member from a pit."
Source: U.S. National Ag Safety Database
Confined Space Hazards a Threat to Farmers
"Today's modern farming methods have brought new dangers that arise from farmers entering confined areas where oxygen levels may be inadequate or where toxic gases are present. When entering a confined area such as a manure pit, silo, grain bin, or an inadequately ventilated building a farmer may be at risk of being overcome by gases or dusts which can cause permanent lung damage or death."
Source: U.S. National Ag Safety Database
Safety and Health in Confined Spaces
"Safety and Health in Confined Spaces goes beyond all other resources currently available. International in scope, the 15 chapters and 10 appendices cover every facet of this important subject. A significant addition to the literature, this book provides a confined space focus to other health and safety concepts."
Source: Neil McManus, Lewis Publishers, Copyright 1999
* Available for purchase through Amazon.ca.
Complete Confined Spaces Handbook
"This handbook provides plant managers, supervisors, safety professionals, and industrial hygienists with recommended procedures and guidance for safe entry into confined spaces."
Source: John Rekus, Lewis Publishers, Copyright 1994
* Available for purchase through Amazon.ca.
Back to Top
Shipping and Shipbuilding
Hazards
of Confined Spaces for Shipping and Transportation Industries (PDF
641 KB)
"This book describes the main types of hazards found in confined spaces. Confined spaces may contain hazardous atmospheres, including insufficient oxygen, toxic (poisonous) air, or an explosive atmosphere. Examples of confined spaces in the shipping and transportation industries are: ballast tanks, boilers, double hulls, holds of boats, pumping stations, storage bins, utility vaults, pits, sumps, storage tanks, fuel tanks, tank cars, and tank trucks."
Source: WorkSafeBC 
* Print copies are available for purchase from the WorkSafeBC Store
Shipyard
Industry (PDF 562 KB)
"This booklet contains all the safety and health standards specific to the Shipyard Industry contained in Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1915, as of July 1, 1994."
Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health
Administration)
Safety and Health in Confined Spaces
"Safety and Health in Confined Spaces goes beyond all other resources currently available. International in scope, the 15 chapters and 10 appendices cover every facet of this important subject. A significant addition to the literature, this book provides a confined space focus to other health and safety concepts."
Source: Neil McManus, Lewis Publishers, Copyright 1999
* Available for purchase through Amazon.ca.
Complete
Confined Spaces Handbook
"This handbook provides plant managers, supervisors, safety professionals, and industrial hygienists with recommended procedures and guidance for safe entry into confined spaces."
Source: John Rekus, Lewis Publishers,
Copyright 1994
* Available for purchase through Amazon.ca.
Back to Top
Manufacturing
Safety and Health in Confined Spaces
"Safety and Health in Confined Spaces goes beyond all other resources currently available. International in scope, the 15 chapters and 10 appendices cover every facet of this important subject. A significant addition to the literature, this book provides a confined space focus to other health and safety concepts."
Source: Neil McManus, Lewis Publishers, Copyright 1999
* Available for purchase through Amazon.ca.
Complete Confined Spaces Handbook
"This handbook provides plant managers, supervisors, safety professionals, and industrial hygienists with recommended procedures and guidance for safe entry into confined spaces."
Source: John Rekus, Lewis Publishers, Copyright 1994
* Available for purchase through Amazon.ca.
Back to Top
Food and Beverage
Hazards of Confined Spaces for Food and Beverage Industries (PDF 558 KB)
"This book describes the main types of hazards found in confined spaces. Confined spaces may contain hazardous atmospheres, including insufficient oxygen, toxic (poisonous) air, or an explosive atmosphere. Examples of confined spaces in the food and beverage industry include: storage tanks and bins, vats, utility vaults, pits, sumps, fuel tanks, grape presses and crushers, and fermentation tanks and vessels."
Source: WorkSafeBC
* Print copies are available for purchase from the WorkSafeBC Store
Safety and Health in Confined Spaces
"Safety and Health in Confined Spaces goes beyond all other resources currently available. International in scope, the 15 chapters and 10 appendices cover every facet of this important subject. A significant addition to the literature, this book provides a confined space focus to other health and safety concepts."
Source: Neil McManus, Lewis Publishers, Copyright 1999
* Available for purchase through Amazon.ca.
Complete
Confined Spaces Handbook
"This handbook provides plant managers, supervisors, safety professionals, and industrial hygienists with recommended procedures and guidance for safe entry into confined spaces."
Source: John Rekus, Lewis Publishers,
Copyright 1994
* Available for purchase through Amazon.ca.
Back to Top
Municipalities and Construction
Hazards of Confined Spaces for Municipalities and the Construction Industry (PDF 588 KB)
"This book describes the main types of hazards found in confined spaces. Confined spaces may contain hazardous atmospheres, including insufficient oxygen, toxic (poisonous) air, or an explosive atmosphere. Examples of confined spaces that workers in the municipalities and the construction industry may encounter are: electrical, valve, utility, meter, and motor vaults, boilers, water tanks, reservoirs, pumping stations, storage bins, pits, sumps, storage tanks, manholes, grit and sludge presses, and wet wells."
Source: WorkSafeBC
* Print copies are available for purchase from the WorkSafeBC Store
Confined Spaces: Deadly Spaces (Video)
This video is designed for municipal workers and illustrates the basic rules for working in confined spaces. Oxygen deficiency and other potential dangers are covered. In addition, the health effects and physical characteristics of toxic gases including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, and methane are examined. (12 min 56 s)
Source: WorkSafeBC
Sewer
Entry Guidelines (PDF 67 KB)
"This Safety Bulletin is designed to help supervisors, employers, contractors and workers understand their responsibilities for health and safety in sewer operations, including the entry of confined spaces such as manholes, vaults and lift stations."
Source: Alberta Human Services OHS
Safety and Health in Confined Spaces
"Safety and Health in Confined Spaces goes beyond all other resources currently available. International in scope, the 15 chapters and 10 appendices cover every facet of this important subject. A significant addition to the literature, this book provides a confined space focus to other health and safety concepts."
Source: Neil McManus, Lewis Publishers, Copyright 1999
* Available for purchase through Amazon.ca.
Complete Confined Spaces Handbook
"This handbook provides plant managers, supervisors, safety professionals, and industrial hygienists with recommended procedures and guidance for safe entry into confined spaces."
Source: John Rekus, Lewis Publishers, Copyright 1994
* Available for purchase through Amazon.ca.
Back to Top
