Confined Spaces
Confined Space
According to Safe Work Australia's Model Code of Practice: Confined Spaces, a confined space is defined as a space that is substantially enclosed, has limited means of entry or exit, and is not designed for continuous occupancy. The Code sets out specific requirements for businesses to manage the risks associated with these spaces, including the need for a Confined Space Register and appropriate signage at entry points.
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Why confined spaces need specific management
Confined spaces present risks that aren't always obvious from the outside, including restricted oxygen levels, the potential build-up of hazardous gases, and genuinely difficult conditions for emergency rescue if something goes wrong. Because of this, Safe Work Australia requires businesses to proactively identify every confined space on their site and manage the associated risks, rather than dealing with them on an ad hoc basis.
Confined Space Register
A Confined Space Register is a central record of every confined space within a workplace, along with the information needed to identify, assess, and manage the risks associated with each one. Maintaining a comprehensive, up-to-date register means a business can be confident that all necessary precautions are being taken to protect workers from potential hazards, rather than relying on informal knowledge that can be lost when staff change.
Confined Space Signage
Appropriate signage is essential for alerting workers to the presence of a confined space and are to be prominently displayed at all its entry points.
How Can Stokes Safety Help?
We carry out a thorough Confined Spaces Audit, inspecting your site to identify and document every confined space in line with Safe Work Australia's Code of Practice. Our report includes a completed Confined Space Register and a risk assessment based on the specific hazards identified at your site, along with recommended control measures to minimise risk for anyone who needs to enter.
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Outcomes for our clients
Sites that complete a Confined Spaces Audit with Stokes Safety end up with a defensible, comprehensive Confined Space Register, clearly signed entry points, and a documented set of control measures that protects workers and demonstrates compliance with Safe Work Australia's Code of Practice.
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Get started
If your site doesn't have an up-to-date Confined Space Register, or you're not confident every confined space on your property has been properly identified and signed, contact Stokes Safety to arrange a Confined Spaces Audit.