Confined Space Regulations 1997

Regulation 1 – Confined Space” means any place, including any chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable specified risk;

A “specified risk” means a risk of—

1. Serious injury to any person at work arising from a fire or explosion

2. Without prejudice to paragraph (1)—

   • i. The loss of consciousness of any person at work arising from an increase in body temperature
   • ii. The loss of consciousness or asphyxiation of any person at work arising from gas, fume, vapour or the lack of oxygen.

3. The drowning of any person at work arising from an increase in the level of a liquid; or

4. The asphyxiation of any person at work arising from a free flowing solid or the inability to reach a respirable environment due to entrapment by a free flowing solid

“System of work” includes the provision of suitable equipment which is in good working order.