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"Confined Space" refers to a space which by design has limited
openings for entry and exit, unfavorable natural ventilation which could
contain or produce dangerous air contaminants, and which is not intended
for continuous employee occupancy. Confined spaces include but are not
limited to storage tanks, compartments of ships, process vessels, pits,
silos, vats, degreasers, reaction vessels, boilers, ventilation and exhaust
ducts, sewers, tunnels, underground utility vaults, and pipelines.
NIOSH Publications on Confined Spaces
Worker Deaths in Confined Spaces
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-103 (January 1994)
This
publication provides a summary of surveillance findings and the full text
of 70 investigative case reports from 70 incidents in which 109 workers
died. These incidents and investigations occurred between December 1983
and September 1993.
A Guide to Safety in Confined Spaces
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 87-113 (July 1987)
 PDF
Only 326 KB (22 pages)
This manual provides information on recognition of confined spaces and
their hazards, and specific safe work practices for testing, monitoring,
and ventilating the atmosphere; isolation of energy sources (lockout-tagout);
respirators; standby/rescue; and addressing general physical hazards such
as temperature extremes, engulfment hazards, slick surfaces, and noise.
A checklist for confined space entry is appended.
NIOSH Alert: Request for Assistance
in Preventing Occupational Fatalities in Confined Spaces
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 86-110 (January 1986)
This publication emphasizes the hazards faced by workers and rescuers
who enter confined spaces. It provides summary case reports of eight fatal
incidents that were investigated under the Fatality Assessment and Control
Evaluation (FACE) program. The report concludes that in each case there
was lack of recognition of the hazards; lack of testing, evaluation, and
monitoring; and lack of planned rescue procedures. The Alert provides
recommendations for addressing these problems.
Criteria for a Recommended Standard:
Working in Confined Spaces
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 80-106 (September 1979)
This
publication outlines a classifiction system for confined spaces (Class
A-Immediately Dangerous to Life/Health (IDLH); Class B-dangerous, but
not IDLH; Class C-potentially hazardous). It provides a checklist of factors
to consider for each class, and provides information on establishing a
permit-based entry system, testing and monitoring the atmosphere in a
confined space, safe work procedures, and safety equipment and clothing.
Other specific topics covered include ventilation, lockout-tagout, rescue,
and training.
Fatality Investigation Reports (conducted
under the FACE Program)
One of the initial emphasis areas for the FACE program was confined
space-related fatalities. Since the inception of the FACE program in 1982,
132 fatal incidents involving confined space entry and rescue efforts
have been investigated by NIOSH and State investigators. This link provides
a list of those cases which in turn links to the full-text reports on
the FACEWeb.
Links of Interest
OSHA
Technical Link on Confined Spaces
External link: http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/confinedspaces/index.html
American National Standards Institute
External link: http://www.ansi.org
The National Safety Council
External link: http://www.nsc.org
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Confined Spaces 
