Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00405:body:0:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00405
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 17823–20774

features should be incorporated at the design, manufacture
and installation stages:
    * Access points (including those within the confined space, through divisions, partitions or obstructions) should be large enough to allow people wearing the necessary protective clothing and equipment to pass through, and to permit the rescue of all people who may enter the confined space.
    * A safe means of access to and within the confined space, such as fixed ladders, platforms and walkways should be provided. Further guidance is available in AS 1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation.
    * Access points should be unobstructed by fittings or equipment that could impede rescue and should also be kept free of any obstructions during work in the confined space. If equipment such as electrical cables, leads, hoses and ventilation ducts are required to pass through an access hole, a second access point may be needed.
    * There should be enough access points to provide safe entry to and exit from the confined space. For example, the spacing of access holes on sewers (or in the case of large gas mains, the absence of such access holes over considerable lengths) may affect both the degree of natural ventilation and the ease with which persons can be rescued.

    3.             HOW TO IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS

Identifying hazards involves finding all of the things and situations that could potentially cause harm to people. The types of substances previously stored in a confined space (however briefly) will indicate the sorts of hazards that may be present. Substances stored in a confined space may result in a lack of oxygen, airborne contaminants or a flammable atmosphere within the confined space. Other hazards may arise from work activities, products or by-products in or around the confined space.

Regulation 34: In managing the risks associated with a confined space, the person conducting the business or undertaking must identify reasonably foreseeable hazards that could give rise
to the risk.

    3.1         What hazards are associated with a confined space?

Restricted entry or exit
Small entrances and exits make it difficult to rescue injured workers or to get equipment in
or out of the confined space. In some cases, entrances and exits may be very large but their location can make them difficult to access. For example, accessing pits or openings high up
in silos may require the use of ladders, hoists or other devices, and escape and rescue from such spaces may be difficult in emergency situations.

Harmful airborne contaminants
The following table illustrates the kinds of harmful atmospheres that may be present in a confined space, and how they may be created.

Source                                                                                                                      Examples
Substance stored in the confined space or its by-product(s)