The Duties of Confined Space Team in Workplace Safety 

1 Who Is Authorized to Enter the Confined Space?

A confined space should not be entered simply because a worker needs to complete a task. The employer and entry team should establish who is authorized to enter based on the requirements of the specific operation.

Before entry, the team should confirm:

• Who is authorized to enter
• What work will be performed
• What hazards may be present
• What training is required
• What protective equipment is needed
• How workers will enter and exit

Entrants should understand the conditions of the space and know what circumstances require them to leave.

2 Who Will Act as the Attendant?

The attendant remains outside the confined space and monitors the entry operation. This role involves more than simply waiting for workers to finish.

The attendant may be responsible for:

• Keeping track of authorized entrants
• Maintaining communication with workers inside
• Monitoring for changing conditions
• Preventing unauthorized entry
• Instructing entrants to exit when required
• Initiating the emergency response procedure

The attendant should also understand the limits of the role. Entering the space during an emergency without the appropriate training and equipment can create additional risks.

3 Who Is Supervising the Entry?

A confined space operation needs clear supervision. The entry supervisor should confirm that required procedures and controls are in place before workers enter.

This can include reviewing:

• Hazard assessments
• Entry permits, where applicable
• Atmospheric testing requirements
• Required equipment
• Worker qualifications
• Communication procedures
• Rescue arrangements

The supervisor should also understand when an entry needs to be stopped or suspended because conditions have changed.

4 What Hazards Have Been Identified?

Could a confined space appear safe while still containing serious hazards? Yes. Some risks may not be visible from outside the space.

Depending on the workplace and task, hazards may include atmospheric, mechanical, electrical, physical, engulfment, or other risks.

The team should determine what controls are required. These may include:

• Isolation or lockout procedures
• Ventilation
• Atmospheric monitoring
• Fall protection
• Retrieval equipment
• Access controls
• Personal protective equipment

Hazard assessment should take place before entry so that controls can be established in advance.

5 Who Is Responsible for Atmospheric Monitoring?

Atmospheric conditions can change during a confined space operation. For this reason, testing requirements should be based on the hazards identified during the assessment.

Where atmospheric testing is required, the team should determine:

• What conditions need to be monitored
• Where testing will take place
• When testing will occur
• Whether continuous monitoring is necessary
• What happens if readings become unsafe

Workers should understand that an atmosphere that is acceptable at the beginning of an entry may not remain acceptable throughout the task.

6 How Will the Team Communicate?

What happens if an entrant needs assistance but cannot communicate with the attendant? The team should answer this question before entry begins.

Depending on the environment, communication may involve:

• Radios
• Voice communication
• Visual signals
• Other suitable communication systems

The team should also establish what happens if communication is lost. Everyone should know whether a communication failure requires an immediate exit, notification of the supervisor, or another response under the workplace procedure.

7 What Happens If Conditions Become Unsafe?

Every person involved in the entry should know what conditions require action.

Examples may include:

• Unsafe atmospheric readings
• Equipment failure
• Loss of communication
• Unexpected water or material movement
• Fire or another external emergency
• An entrant becoming unwell
• Failure of a required control

The response should follow the established workplace procedure. Depending on the situation, workers may need to stop the task, exit the space, notify the supervisor, or activate the emergency response plan. Clear responsibilities help reduce confusion when conditions change.

8 Who Handles Rescue?

A rescue plan should be considered before anyone enters the confined space. The appropriate response depends on the hazards, configuration of the space, equipment, training, and available rescue resources.

The team should establish:

• Who will raise the alarm
• Who will contact emergency services
• What rescue equipment is available
• Who is trained for the required rescue
• How an incapacitated entrant could be recovered
• What risks rescuers may face

A rescue plan should be realistic for the specific workplace. Simply having an emergency contact number does not replace appropriate rescue planning and training.