Confined Space and Gas Testing

Worksafe defines a confined space as an enclosed or partially enclosed space that is not intended or designed primarily for human occupancy.

A confined space may present a risk from one or more of the following:

• Unsafe concentration of harmful airborne contaminants

• Unsafe concentration of flammable substances

• Unsafe levels of oxygen

• Substances that can cause engulfment

Examples of confined spaces that may be present in a workplace include:

• Storage tanks (fuel and hazardous chemicals etc.)

• Vaults and underground utility structures

• Silos, bins, and hoppers

• Pipelines and ductwork

Confined space work is covered by an Australian Standard: AS 2865 Confined Spaces and typically involves creation of a work plan, rescue plan, issuing a permit allowing the work to commence, pre-entry atmospheric testing, and regular ongoing atmospheric testing via worker mounted personal gas meters.

Pre-entry and regular testing of the air in a confined space is important as oxygen and gas levels can change quickly. Safe & Sound Solutions can assist with pre-entry atmospheric testing and real-time monitoring of workers while they are working in confined spaces using the latest multi-gas meters, as well as all your confined space entry permitting and risk management processes (work and rescue plans). Our most advanced gas meter has hot-swappable gas sensors allowing us direct detection of over 20 gases with ppb level accuracy, compared with the typical O2, LEL, H2S, CO, and VOC of most meters on the market.