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Resources - Working Safely in Confined Spaces
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.
Confined Space Entry Program: A Reference Manual BK84
This book describes measures used to control hazards in confined spaces. It is written for employers, owners, managers, supervisors, and joint committees in workplaces where there are confined spaces. It can be used as a reference to develop your confined space entry program and to assist you with meeting the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. This book also will be helpful to workers who may need to enter a confined space.
Source: WorkSafeBC 
* PDF (783 KB)
Updated: April 2007
Confined Space Entry Workshop
This document discusses the hazards of confined space entry, testing before entering, what should be tested for, and the regulations for confined space.
Source: WorkSafeBC
* PDF (1 MB)
Into the Void
"Toxic gases or lack of oxygen can turn a confined space into a death trap. But it doesn't have to be that way." This article discusses: recognizing a confined space; identifying the hazards; managing the risks; and being prepared for the worst case scenario. (WorkSafe Magazine January/February 2009)
Source: WorkSafeBC
* PDF (195 KB)
Entering Confined Spaces
"Confined space accidents are rare, but they can have deadly consequences --- fast. Workers entering an oxygen-deficient confined space can lose consciousness within a couple of breaths."
Source: WorkSafeBC
* PDF (103 KB)
Incorrect use of monitoring equipment in confined spaces can endanger workers
"Gas monitoring instruments are designed to protect workers from unseen workplace hazards. Exposure to toxic gases or an oxygen-deficient atmosphere can cause serious illness and even death. Gas monitors must be used whenever practicable to ensure the safety of workers in confined spaces.
* WS 2009-03
Source: WorkSafeBC
Confined Spaces -- No Easy Way Out
"This publication is intended to complement the Canada Labour Code and the Confined Spaces Regulation. It contains general information that can help you determine whether all safety measures have been taken so that you can safely enter a con fined space."
Source: Human Resources Development Canada
* HTML
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.
OSH Answer: Confined Space -- Program
"To manage the risks associated with working in confined spaces, a Confined Space Hazard Assessment and Control Program should be developed and implemented. A Confined Space Hazard Assessment and Control Program, specific for the work being conducted, should be written for work in each and every confined space."
Source: CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)
* HTML
Is It Safe to Enter a Confined Space?
"This Confined Space Guide has been developed to explain the hazards of confined space work and to assist employers in establishing and maintaining an effective confined space program ... The Confined Space Guide contains information, definitions, and requirements for entry into permit-required confined spaces (Section 5157) ... To clarify and facilitate the understanding of confined space issues, the guide presents the information in the format of questions and answers and includes a list of the most frequently asked questions."
Source: California State Department of Industrial Relations
* PDF (3 MB)
Confined Spaces Guideline - Ontario
"This guideline answers common questions about the confined space provisions in the regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for Ontario."
Source: Ontario Labour
* PDF (399 KB)
A Guide to Safety in Confined Spaces
"This manual provides information on recognition of confined spaces and their hazards, and specific safe work practices for testing, monitoring, and ventilating the atmosphere; isolation of energy sources (lockout-tagout); respirators; standby/rescue; and addressing general physical hazards such as temperature extremes, engulfment hazards, slick surfaces, and noise. A checklist for confined space entry is appended."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
* PDF (325 KB)
Safe Work in Confined Spaces
"This leaflet is aimed at employers and the self-employed who carry out work in confined spaces, and forms part of HSE's commitment to make simple and practical guidance available for small firms."Source: Health and Safety Executive, UK
* PDF (240 KB)
Permit-Required Confined Spaces
"The term permit-required confined space (i.e., permit space) refers to those spaces that meet the definition of a "confined space" and contain health or safety hazards, thereby requiring a permit for entry."Source: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
* PDF (154 KB)
Planning Entry and Working Safely in a Confined Space
"Confined spaces have been likened to a serial killer. Year after year, people die when entering confined spaces to carry out work. In some cases, multiple fatalities occur when would-be rescuers enter the space and become victims themselves."Source: Occupational Safety and Health, Government of New Zealand
* PDF (268 KB)
Work Permits
"A work permit is a written form used to authorize jobs that expose workers to serious hazards...Examples of the jobs needing work permits are those requiring employees to enter and work in confined spaces, to repair, maintain or inspect electrical installations or to use large or complex equipment."Source: Industrial Accident Prevention Association
* PDF (185 KB)
Safe Working in a Confined Space
"Working in a confined space is potentially one of the most dangerous of all workplace hazards. It's been calculated that working in a confined space is 150 times more dangerous than doing the same job outside."Source: Occupational Safety and Health, Government of New Zealand
* PDF (340 KB)
CSA Standard Z1006-10 Management of Work in Confined Spaces
This CSA Standard specifies requirements for managing work in confined spaces.Source: Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
* HTML
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.
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