Confined Space Entry Training Free Download
Introduction – Greeting Your Trainees
Good morning everyone. My name is ________, and I’m your Safety Officer.
Today we’re going to talk about a type of work that has caused some of the most serious and tragic industrial accidents around the world: confined space entry.
A confined space may look harmless—a tank, a manhole, a pit—but inside there can be toxic gases, oxygen deficiency, or the risk of engulfment. Workers can collapse within seconds without warning. This training is designed to make sure that never happens here.
Our goal is to ensure that every one of you understands what a confined space is, why it’s dangerous, what procedures and equipment you must use, and how to respond if something goes wrong. By the end of this session, you should feel confident about recognising confined spaces, applying the correct entry procedures, and protecting yourself and your co-workers.
1. What a Confined Space Is
A confined space is not defined only by its size but by its characteristics:
- It is large enough for a person to enter and perform work.
- It has limited or restricted means of entry or exit.
- It is not designed for continuous human occupancy.
Examples on our sites include:
- Tanks, silos, and hoppers
- Pits, vaults, and shafts
- Pipelines and sewers
- Storage bins and grain elevators
- Trenches with restricted access
Many workers mistakenly think “confined space” means “small space.” In fact, a large tank can be a confined space if it has limited openings and is not meant for people to be inside.
Permit-Required Confined Space
Some confined spaces contain or may contain hazards serious enough to kill or injure. These are called permit-required confined spaces. They require special entry procedures and authorisation, which we’ll cover later.
2. Why Confined Space Entry Is Dangerous
Confined spaces can present multiple hazards at once. Some of the main ones include:
- Oxygen deficiency – caused by rusting, fermentation, or displacement by other gases.
- Toxic atmospheres – hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide, solvents.
- Flammable or explosive atmospheres – vapours from fuels, paints, or residues.
- Engulfment – loose materials such as grain, sand, or sludge.
- Physical hazards – moving equipment, heat stress, electrical hazards.
- Restricted movement and exit – making rescue difficult.
- Poor visibility and communication – increasing error risk.
Many confined space fatalities occur when co-workers attempt to rescue a fallen worker without proper equipment or training, leading to multiple deaths.
3. Legal & Company Requirements
Laws and standards (like OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 or your local regulations) require employers to:
- Identify and classify all confined spaces on the site.
- Implement a permit system for entry into hazardous spaces.
- Test and monitor the atmosphere before and during entry.
- Provide ventilation and isolation of hazards.
- Train and authorise entrants, attendants, and supervisors.
- Develop and practice rescue procedures.
Our company policy meets or exceeds these requirements. No one enters a permit-required confined space without a written permit, trained personnel, and proper equipment.
4. Planning and Risk Assessment
Before any confined space work starts, we plan carefully:
- Identify the space – Is it confined? Is it permit-required?
- Assess hazards – Atmosphere, engulfment, mechanical or chemical hazards.
- Isolate energy sources – Lockout/tagout of lines, valves, electrical circuits.
- Ventilate the space – Mechanical fans or blowers to purge hazards.
- Test the atmosphere – Oxygen, flammable gases, toxic substances.
- Determine PPE and equipment needs – Harness, lifeline, respirator.
- Prepare rescue plan – Trained rescue team, equipment on site.
- Brief the team – Roles and responsibilities clearly explained.
This risk assessment and entry plan must be documented and communicated to everyone involved.
5. Entry Permit System
A permit to work is a formal written authorisation that entry is safe under specific conditions. Our permit includes:
- Identification of the space and work to be done.
- Names of authorised entrants, attendants, and supervisor.
- Hazards identified and measures taken.
- Results of atmospheric tests (oxygen, flammable, toxic).
- Required PPE and equipment.
- Communication methods.
- Rescue and emergency procedures.
- Time limits and permit expiration.
No one enters until the permit is complete, signed by the supervisor, and posted at the entry point. If conditions change or the permit expires, work stops and the space is re-evaluated.
6. Ventilation and Atmospheric Testing
Atmospheric Testing
Before entry and continuously during work, a competent person must test the atmosphere for:
- Oxygen content – should be between 19.5 % and 23.5 %.
- Flammable gases/vapours – must be below 10 % of the lower explosive limit (LEL).
- Toxic substances – hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide, ammonia, etc.
Use a calibrated multi-gas detector and record the readings on the permit.
Ventilation
If hazardous atmospheres are found, ventilate until safe levels are reached. Use:
- Positive pressure blowers to bring in fresh air.
- Exhaust systems to remove contaminants.
- Continuous ventilation during entry to maintain safe conditions.
Never rely solely on ventilation without testing.
7. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE is chosen based on the hazards present. Common PPE for confined space entry includes:
- Hard hat and chin strap – protect from head injuries.
- Safety boots and gloves – appropriate for the materials handled.
- Full body harness and lifeline – for non-entry rescue.
- Respiratory protection – air-purifying respirators or supplied-air breathing apparatus if hazards remain.
- Eye and face protection – goggles or shields as needed.
- Hearing protection – in noisy spaces.
Remember: PPE is the last line of defence. Eliminate and control hazards first.
8. Safe Work Procedures for Entry
Every entry follows a set sequence:
- Isolate the space – Lock out and tag all energy sources. Blank or disconnect lines.
- Clean the space – Remove residues that could release vapours.
- Ventilate and test – Achieve safe atmosphere before entry.
- Prepare equipment – PPE, communication devices, lighting, rescue gear.
- Assign roles – Entrant(s), attendant(s), entry supervisor.
- Review the permit – Everyone reads and understands it.
- Maintain communication – Continuous verbal or radio contact.
- Monitor conditions – Re-test atmosphere regularly.
- Exit immediately if alarms sound or conditions change.
Never enter a confined space alone or without an attendant present.
9. Communication and Supervision
Communication between entrants and attendants is vital:
- Use radios, hand signals, or voice depending on noise level.
- Establish emergency signals before entry.
- The attendant must remain outside the space at all times, monitoring the entrants and conditions.
- The entry supervisor verifies the permit, conditions, and readiness of rescue equipment.
If communication is lost, entrants must exit immediately.
10. Emergency and Rescue Planning
No confined space entry is permitted without a rescue plan. Our plan includes:
- Rescue equipment ready at the entry point – tripod, winch, retrieval line.
- Trained rescue team on site – not relying on off-site responders.
- Practice drills conducted regularly.
- First aid and CPR trained personnel available.
The goal is non-entry rescue whenever possible – pulling the worker out using a lifeline without sending another person into danger. If entry rescue is needed, only trained and equipped rescuers may go in.
11. Training and Competency
All personnel involved with confined space work must be trained. Training covers:
- Hazard recognition and classification of spaces.
- Use of atmospheric testing instruments.
- Ventilation techniques.
- Entry permit procedures.
- PPE selection and use.
- Roles of entrants, attendants, and supervisors.
- Emergency response and rescue.
Competency is verified through written tests, practical demonstrations, and periodic refresher training.
12. Roles and Responsibilities
Entrants
- Understand hazards and procedures.
- Use equipment properly.
- Maintain communication with attendant.
- Exit immediately if ordered or if alarm sounds.
Attendants
- Remain outside the space and monitor entrants.
- Maintain accurate count of entrants.
- Order evacuation if unsafe conditions arise.
- Call for rescue if needed.
Entry Supervisor
- Verify permit completion and safe conditions.
- Authorise entry and cancel permit when done.
- Ensure rescue team and equipment are ready.
Rescue Team
- Trained and equipped for entry rescue.
- Practice regularly.
- Coordinate with attendants and supervisor.
Safety Officer
- Identify and classify spaces on site.
- Provide training and oversight.
- Audit compliance and review incidents.
13. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Entering a confined space without a permit.
- Failing to test or retest the atmosphere.
- Using faulty or uncalibrated gas detectors.
- Assuming ventilation makes it safe without verification.
- Not wearing a harness and lifeline.
- Allowing the attendant to leave the post.
- Attempting rescue without training or equipment.
- Ignoring alarms or signs of distress.
These mistakes have killed many workers. Learn from them and never cut corners.
14. Summary & Key Messages
- A confined space is any area large enough to enter, with limited entry/exit, not designed for continuous occupancy.
- Hazards include oxygen deficiency, toxic or flammable atmospheres, engulfment, and restricted movement.
- Follow the permit system – no permit, no entry.
- Test and ventilate before and during entry.
- Use appropriate PPE including harness and lifeline.
- Maintain communication and supervision at all times.
- Have a trained rescue team and equipment ready.
- Know your role – entrant, attendant, supervisor.
- Speak up about unsafe conditions.
By applying these principles, we can carry out confined space work safely and ensure everyone goes home at the end of the day.
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