Confined Space Safety Procedures & Requirements

Is Your High-Risk Work Compliant?

Working safely in a confined space requires strict adherence to established procedures, hazard controls, and legal requirements under NSW workplace safety laws. A confined space presents serious potential dangers, including hazardous atmospheres, restricted entry and exit, and the possibility of engulfment, making it one of the highest-risk environments in many industries.

To manage these risks, SafeWork NSW requires Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) to implement appropriate confined space safety training and measures, including risk assessments, entry permits, atmospheric testing, and emergency planning.

So, is your workplace operating in full compliance?

In this guide, we break down the key confined space safety measures, procedures, precautions, protocols, and legal requirements you need to understand under NSW law. You’ll learn how confined spaces are defined, the hazards involved, the correct entry procedures to follow, and when formal training is required to remain compliant.

What Defines a Confined Space in NSW?

A confined space is defined by NSW Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations as an enclosed or partially enclosed space that is not designed or intended for continuous human occupancy and presents a risk due to its atmosphere, configuration, or contents.

In practical terms, a space is considered confined if it has limited or restricted entry and exit and poses a risk of hazardous conditions, such as low oxygen levels, toxic gases, or engulfment.

Common examples of confined spaces typical across NSW workplaces include:

• Sewers, manholes, stormwater drains and pipelines
• Ducts and enclosed voids
• Storage tanks and silos
• Pits, shafts, excavation holes and trenches

It is important to note that not all small or enclosed areas are classified as confined spaces. The key factor is whether a risk to health and safety exists, particularly from atmospheric hazards or restricted access.

Under SafeWork NSW guidance, identifying whether a space meets the definition of a confined space is the first step in determining the appropriate safety measures, procedures, and controls required before any work is carried out.

Confined Space Safety Measures & Controls to Meet Your Legal Duties

Working safely in a confined space requires a layered approach that combines practical safety measures, day-to-day precautions, and the organisational protocols that keep everything running consistently.

The following controls apply before any entry occur:

Hazard identification and risk assessment

Identifying atmospheric risks, engulfment hazards, and access limitations to determine the controls required for safe entry. These must be selected in accordance with the hierarchy of control, ensuring risks are eliminated where possible or minimised so far as is reasonably practicable.

Isolation of hazards

Locking out machinery, isolating electrical systems, and disconnecting pipelines to prevent new hazards from being introduced during work.

Atmospheric testing and ventilation

Air quality must be tested prior to entry and monitored continuously, with ventilation systems deployed where hazardous conditions are identified.

Emergency and rescue planning

Rescue procedures, equipment, and personnel must be established before entry begins; reliance on emergency services alone is not considered sufficient under NSW requirements.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Workers must wear appropriate personal protective equipment based on the identified hazards, which may include respiratory protection, harness systems, protective clothing, and gas monitoring devices. PPE must be selected, fitted, and used correctly at all times while working in the confined space.

Confined Space Entry Safety Requirements Under NSW WHS Regulations

Meeting confined space entry requirements under the NSW WHS Regulations involves complying with specific legal obligations governing how work is authorised, supervised, and documented. These requirements must be formally implemented to ensure confined space work is carried out lawfully and safely.

A compliant entry process typically follows this sequence:

Planning and preparation

Defining the scope of work, identifying the confined space, and confirming that all safety measures and controls have been established

Authorisation to enter

Entry must be formally authorised through a confined space entry permit, confirming that all required conditions have been met

Controlled entry and supervision

Roles must be clearly defined across workers, standby personnel, and supervisors, with communication and oversight maintained throughout

Work execution under controlled conditions

All work must follow documented safe work procedures with continuous atmospheric monitoring

Exit and closure

Workers exit in a controlled manner, and the permit is formally closed to confirm that the space is safe and work is complete

Standby person

A competent confined space standby person must be present outside the confined space at all times, with reliable communication systems in place to monitor workers and initiate emergency response if required.

Record keeping and documentation

PCBUs must maintain accurate records of confined space locations (clearly signposted as such) and work, including entry permits, risk assessments, atmospheric testing results, and training records. These records provide evidence that safety requirements for confined space entry have been met and must be kept up to date and accessible for review.

When all of the above are applied together, they form a complete system of control that meets SafeWork NSW expectations and better protects workers at every stage of the job.

Is Confined Space Training Required in NSW?

Yes, in NSW, confined space training is required where workers are involved in identifying, entering, or working in confined spaces.

Under WHS legislation, PCBUs must ensure that workers have the necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision to carry out work safely. Such training is a key part of meeting safety requirements for confined space entry and maintaining compliance with SafeWork NSW expectations.

If a role involves confined space entry or related tasks, workers must be trained to:

• Understand confined space hazards
• Follow established safety procedures and protocols
• Use monitoring and safety equipment correctly
• Respond appropriately in emergency situations

Importantly, confined space training is not a one-time requirement. Ongoing competency, refresher confined space training, and supervision may be necessary depending on the nature of the work and the level of risk involved.

Why Choose Sydney Safety for Confined Space Training?

Sydney Safety provides practical, compliance-focused confined space training designed for real-world conditions across NSW industries. Our courses are aligned with current WHS requirements and delivered by experienced trainers who understand the risks workers face on-site. Rest assured, we explore all the above-mentioned protocols, procedures, requirements and more as part of our course content.

With a purpose-built training facility, flexible booking options, and a focus on competency, not just certification, we ensure your team is properly prepared to work safely and meet compliance obligations.