Confined or Restricted Space

The University of South Australia (UniSA) is committed to ensuring legislative compliance for confined spaces is maintained. It is the responsibility of the Facilities Management Unit (FMU) on behalf of the University to identify confined spaces within its workplaces and maintain registers for these spaces.

Confined spaces pose dangers because they are usually not designed to be areas where people work. Confined spaces often have poor ventilation which allows hazardous atmospheres to quickly develop, especially if the space is small. The hazards are not always obvious and may change from one entry into the confined space to the next.

A confined space is determined by the hazards associated with a set of specific circumstances and not just because work is performed in a small space.

Spaces - whether fully or partially enclosed - that may meet the technical definition criteria for confined spaces may include but are not limited to:

  • Storage tanks, process vessels, boilers, pressure vessels and other tank like compartments
  • Pipes, sewers, shafts, tunnels, degreaser and sullage pits, ducts and similar structures

Please note: The following forms are updated frequently. Please access the forms from this page and do not store a local copy to avoid using outdated forms.

Forms

Procedures

Training

References and resources