Confined Spaces - Workplace Safety and Health Council

3. Definitions 3.5 Competent PersonA “competent person” refers to a person who has sufficient experience and training to performthe work required to be carried out.3.1 Confined SpaceA “confined space” is any chamber, tank, manhole, vat, silo, pit, pipe, flue or any other enclosedspace, in which:• dangerous gases, vapours or fumes are liable to be present to such an extent as to involve riskof fire or explosion, or persons being overcome thereby;• the supply of air is inadequate, or is likely to be reduced to be inadequate, for sustaininglife; or• there is a risk of engulfment by material.3.2 Characteristics of Confined SpaceA confined space is any enclosed or partially enclosed area that:• is not primarily designed or intended for human occupancy;• has a restricted entrance or exit by way of location, size or means;• may contain a hazardous atmosphere;• contains material that could trap or bury an entrant;• has such a shape that an entrant could become trapped or asphyxiated; or• can present a risk to the health and safety of anyone who enters, due to one or more of thefollowing factors:i. its design, construction, location or atmosphere;ii. the materials or substances in it;iii. work activities being carried out in it; oriv. the mechanical, electrical, process and safety hazards present.3.3 Responsible PersonA ‘‘responsible person’’, in relation to a person entering or working in a confined space, is:• his employer; or• the principal under whose direction he enters or works in the confined space.3.6 Confined Space Safety AssessorA “confined space safety assessor” is a safety assessor appointed under regulation 9(b) of the WSH(Confined Spaces) Regulations.3.7 Confined Space AttendantA ”confined space attendant” is an attendant appointed under regulation 22 of the WSH (ConfinedSpaces) Regulations.3.8 EntrantA person required to enter confined spaces to carry out inspections or work.3.9 Confined Space Entry Permit“Confined space entry permit” means a permit issued under regulation 13 of the WSH (ConfinedSpaces) Regulations.3.10 Entry“Entry” refers to ingress by persons into a confined space. This occurs when a person’s headpasses through an opening into the confined space.3.11 Hazardous Atmosphere“Hazardous atmosphere” means an atmosphere where:• the level of oxygen in the atmosphere is less than 19.5% or more than 23.5% by volume;• the level of flammable gases or vapours in the atmosphere is 10% or more than its LowerExplosive Limit (LEL); or• the levels of toxic substances in the atmosphere exceed the Permissible Exposure Levels(PEL) as specified in the First Schedule of the WSH (General Provisions) Regulations.3.4 Authorised ManagerAn “authorised manager” is a person appointed under regulation 9 of the Workplace Safetyand Health (WSH) (Confined Spaces) Regulations and includes any other person appointed toperform the duties of an authorised manager by the responsible person.6 7