Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

17.7 
Confi ned Spaces Regulations 1997
17.7.1 Introduction
These Regulations concern any work that is carried on 
in a place which is substantially (but not always entirely) 
enclosed, where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk 
of serious injury from conditions and/or hazardous sub-
stances in the space or nearby. Every year about 15 
people are killed and a number seriously injured across a 
wide range of industries (e.g. from simple open top pits 
to complex chemical plants). Rescuers without proper 
training and equipment, often become the victims.
17.7.2 Defi nitions
Confi ned space
– means any place, including any cham-
ber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, fl ue, well or 
similar space in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, 
there arises a reasonably foreseeable specifi ed risk.
Specifi ed risk
– means a risk to any person at 
work of:
➤
serious injury arising from a fi re or explosion
➤
loss of consciousness arising from an increase in 
body temperature
➤
loss of consciousness or asphyxiation arising from 
gas, fume, vapour or the lack of oxygen
➤
drowning arising from the an increase in the level of 
liquid
➤
asphyxiation arising from a free fl owing solid or 
because of entrapment by it.
17.7.3 Employers duties – Regulation 3
Duties are placed on employers to:
➤
comply regarding any work carried out by employ-
ees and
➤
ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that other 
persons (e.g. use competent contractors) comply 
regarding work in the employer’s control.
The self-employed also have duties to comply.
17.7.4 Work in confi ned space – Regulation 4
1. No person at work shall enter a confi ned space for 
any purpose unless it is not reasonably practicable 
to achieve that purpose without such entry.