Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00405:body:0:p11
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00405
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 27208–30200

powered plant are used.

Skin contact with hazardous substances
The nature of a confined space could give rise to an increased likelihood of skin contact with surface contaminants. Skin contact with hazardous substances may result in immediate health effects such as burns, irritation or allergic dermatitis, or longer-term systemic effects.

Noise
Noise generated in a confined space from the use of plant, the work method or process may
be amplified due to reflections off hard surfaces. Exposure to hazardous noise may result in hearing loss, tinnitus and other non-auditory health effects. Hazardous noise may also prevent workers hearing warning signals and distract workers from their work.
Further guidance is available in the Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work.

Manual tasks
Hazards arising from manual tasks may be exacerbated by physical constraints associated with working in a confined space. Additional hazards may arise from the use of personal protective equipment that restricts movement, grip and mobility.
Further guidance is available in the Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks.

Radiation
The health effects associated with radiation depend on the type of radiation involved. Sources of radiation include radioactive sources, x-rays, lasers, welding flash, radio frequency and microwaves.

Environmental hazards
Environmental hazards associated with work in a confined space may cause or contribute to harm. Examples of environmental hazards include:
    * heat or cold stress arising from the work, process or conditions
    * slips, trips and falls arising from slippery surfaces or obstacles
    * inadequate lighting.
Further guidance is available in the Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities.

Hazards outside the confined space
Where the confined space has a vertical opening, there is a risk that people could fall in.
Traffic hazards are a concern where confined space entrances or exits are located on footpaths or roads. There is the potential for workers entering or exiting the space to be struck and injured by vehicle traffic.

Work done outside the space, but near openings to it, can contaminate the atmosphere inside the space. A common example is the exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. There may also be potential for fire or explosion where hot work is done in areas next to confined spaces that contain flammable atmospheres.

Additional physiological and psychological demands
Working in a confined space may impose additional physiological and psychological demands over and above those encountered in a normal working environment. Consideration should be given to a worker's:
    * physical ability
    * ability to work in a restrictive space (for example claustrophobia)
    * ability to wear the personal protective equipment required to do the work (for example respirators).

    4.             HOW TO ASSESS THE RISKS

A risk assessment involves considering what