Why Confined Space Training Is Essential For Industrial Workers

If you’re an employer in an industrial setting, you already know that safety is the most important aspect in any work environment. Industrial workers face many hazards at work everyday, and it is paramount that companies take the necessary preventative measures to protect the lives of workers, and this starts with ensuring that employees are properly trained for the hazards they may face in their field.

One of the most dangerous areas in any industrial workplace is confined spaces, small areas that are not necessarily designed for people, but are large enough for workers to enter to perform certain jobs. These areas may not look threatening at first glance, but without the right training, they can quickly become deadly.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recorded that, from 2011 to 2018, 1,030 workers died from occupational injuries involving a confined space in the United States. Falls, fires, and engulfment are common hazards workers face when working within confined spaces, and it is your responsibility to make sure they understand these hazards and how to combat them.

In this blog post, we will discuss what confined spaces are, why they’re so dangerous, what the law requires of you, and how having the right training can save lives.

Understanding Confined Spaces

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines “confined spaces” as a space that:

1. Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work.
2. Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit.
3. Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

This includes spaces like tanks, vats, silos, tunnels, pipelines, vaults, manholes, and more. You’ve probably got a few of these at your facility right now.

In addition to confined spaces, OSHA also defines permit-required confined spaces as having one or more serious hazards, such as toxic gases, potential for engulfment, or dangerous machinery. If your workers will be conducting work within confined spaces, you’re legally responsible for making sure they are properly trained and protected. For permit-required confined spaces, you’re responsible for ensuring only authorized personnel gain access.

There are three types of hazards commonly encountered in confined spaces. These are:

1. Atmospheric Hazards: Some confined spaces have air that is immediately dangerous to life or health. Toxic gases like hydrogen sulfide or carbon monoxide can build up inside a tank or sewer. Oxygen levels can also drop, making it impossible to breathe. Other times, flammable vapors can collect and pose explosion risks. Without gas monitors and proper ventilation, workers might not know there’s a problem until it’s too late.
2. Physical Hazards: Confined spaces often contain moving equipment, unstable materials, or slick surfaces. Workers can get crushed, trapped, or drowned. Engulfment is another major risk—this happens when a worker gets pulled into flowing solids or liquids, such as grain, sand, or sludge. There are also dangers from tools and machinery that were not properly locked out before entry.
3. Biological Hazards: These hazards involve exposure to microorganisms or other living organisms that can cause illness or disease. Confined spaces can be prone to mold and mildew growth, which can trigger respiratory problems and other health issues. Exposure to biological agents through contact with contaminated surfaces or materials can pose a health risk.

Additionally, let’s not overlook the mental toll of working in these spaces. Confined areas can cause panic, disorientation, or claustrophobia. In a stressful situation, even experienced workers can make mistakes. Dim lighting, poor communication, and restricted movement only make things worse. It is important that employees are trained to deal with psychological stress and are adequately prepared before entering a confined space.

OSHA takes confined space safety very seriously—and so should you. The key OSHA regulations that apply are 29 CFR 1910.146, which is the general industry standard for permit-required confined spaces, and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA, which is for confined spaces in construction. These contain the requirements for practices and procedures to protect employees from the hazards of entering confined spaces. It also establishes requirements for employers regarding permit-required confined spaces, including:

• Identifying confined spaces at your site.
• Determining which ones are permit-required.
• Developing and implementing a confined space program.
• Providing proper training for authorized entrants, attendants, and supervisors.
• Preparing rescue procedures or ensuring an effective rescue team is available.

Failing to meet these requirements can cost you. OSHA penalties can reach up to tens of thousands of dollars per violation—and that’s not including civil lawsuits, workers’ comp claims, or damage to your company’s reputation.

Confined space training isn’t just a short safety talk. It needs to be detailed and up to date. Here’s what quality training should cover:

• Hazard Recognition and Atmospheric Monitoring: Workers must be able to recognize all types of hazards—especially the ones they can’t see. Training includes how to use gas detectors to test for oxygen, flammable gases, and toxic vapors before and during entry.
• Proper Use of PPE and Respiratory Protection: Depending on the hazards, workers may need full-body harnesses, respirators, or chemical-resistant suits. Training should teach how to inspect, wear, and maintain this equipment.
• Entry Permits and Communication Protocols: Permit systems are a critical control. Workers must learn how to fill out and review permits, monitor conditions, and keep open communication with attendants and supervisors. Radios, hand signals, and verbal commands should all be practiced.
• Emergency Response and Rescue Procedures: You must have a plan in case something goes wrong. Workers should be trained in self-rescue, non-entry rescue (using tripods or winches), and know how to call for help. If using an in-house rescue team, those team members need advanced training and frequent drills.
• Roles and Responsibilities: Every person involved, including the entrant, attendant, and entry supervisor, must know their job and be capable of performing it. Additionally, clear and effective communication protocols must be established between workers inside and outside the confined space.

Training also needs to be able to evolve over time. Work environments are always changing, and refresher training may be necessary to ensure employees and supervisors are up to date on the latest standards and best practices.

There are many examples of confined space tragedies that could have been prevented with the right training. Here are a couple of cases that stand out:

HOUSTON, TX, September 2023

An 18-year-old construction worker was tragically killed when a 15-foot trench wall collapsed on him. Investigators with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined that Hurtado Construction Co. allowed the teenager to work in the excavation without a proper protective system in place to prevent its collapse. The young worker suffered fatal injuries when the trench wall caved in, and tons of dirt pinned him against a reinforced concrete box. Hurtado Construction Co. faced over $250,000 in proposed penalties.

One thing that stands out about this case is that OSHA had previously cited the company multiple times for not providing required protective systems. Oftentimes, when a company fails to keep an employee safe, it is not an isolated incident.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, June 2022

Failure to test oxygen levels in a sewer 20 feet below ground led to the death of two workers. OSHA investigators determined that the company responsible for performing the work, Belt Construction Inc. did not complete required pre-entry planning before allowing the workers to enter the confined space. Belt Construction also failed to provide rescue equipment and did not train workers on confined space entry procedures or obtain permits required by federal law. OSHA cited the company for six serious and two willful violations and proposed $287,150 in penalties.

Hopefully these real life incidents highlight the importance of proper training and preventative measures.

If your workers enter confined spaces, training is a legal requirement. These spaces are some of the most dangerous areas in any industrial workplace, but with the right knowledge, tools, and procedures, the risks can be controlled. As an employer, it’s your job to provide that knowledge. A quality confined space training program protects your most valuable asset: your people.

Don’t wait for a near-miss or tragedy to take action. Invest in proper confined space training now. The lives of your workers depend on it.

Safety Instruct’s online safety training courses help to educate employees on workplace safety and health regulations, policies, and best practices. These courses cover a wide range of topics, all designed to fit the needs of various industries. To find the courses you need for your business today, click the link below!

https://www.safetyinstruct.com/