Maintain safe access and egress: Confined space

Whenever entry is made to a confined space, the access/egress route should be maintained to ensure that all personnel working in the space are able to withdraw as quickly as possible should the need arise.

Where the size of openings to, or in, confined spaces is not sufficient, consideration should be given to increasing these. This should take account of the need to operate in personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and to use associated equipment in the space.

Confined space supervisors can advise incident commanders of the hazards associated with restricted access/egress and operational requirements at incidents involving confined spaces.