An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What a confined space risk assessment is
A confined space risk assessment examines work in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces — tanks, vessels, pits, silos, sewers and similar — where hazards such as lack of oxygen, toxic or flammable atmospheres, engulfment or heat can cause serious harm, and records how the work will be controlled.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides what their confined space assessment must cover.
Purpose
- Identify the confined space and its specified hazards.
- Decide whether entry can be avoided altogether.
- Record atmosphere testing, ventilation and entry controls.
- Set out emergency arrangements and rescue, planned before entry.
Who completes it
- A competent person appointed by the employer, experienced in confined space work.
- With input from those who plan and carry out the entry.
- Reviewed within the organisation’s own process.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure competence throughout.
When it is used
- Before any planned entry into a confined space.
- When the space, contents, task or conditions change.
- When establishing whether entry can be avoided.
- After an incident or near miss involving a confined space.
Typical fields
- The space, its contents and access, and the task.
- Specified hazards — atmosphere, engulfment, heat, restricted access.
- Atmosphere testing, ventilation and isolation arrangements.
- Entry controls, equipment, communication and the entry team.
- Rescue and emergency plan, and review date.
- Example fields only — adapt to the space and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Entering without first considering whether entry can be avoided.
- Inadequate atmosphere testing before and during entry.
- No workable rescue plan that does not endanger rescuers.
- Treating a one-off entry as routine and skipping controls.
Document workflow
A confined space risk assessment underpins the safe system of work and almost always a permit to work that controls entry. It is briefed before entry, and the rescue plan is in place beforehand; any change or incident triggers a review.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with a confined space risk assessment.
Retention (high level)
Confined space assessments and entry records are generally kept for as long as they are relevant, and for a period afterwards, in line with the employer’s obligations and data-protection duties. Specific retention periods vary by jurisdiction.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Confined space assessments are commonly completed and stored as PDFs alongside the permit to work and rescue plan. Exporting to PDF supports documentation; it does not make the assessment official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Establish whether entry can be avoided before planning it.
- Provide atmosphere testing, ventilation and isolation as needed.
- Have a rescue plan in place before entry begins.
- Use a permit system and review after changes or incidents.
Worker notes
- Never enter a confined space without the agreed controls and permit.
- Follow the testing, ventilation and communication arrangements.
- Know the rescue plan and never enter to rescue without it.
Country considerations
Confined space definitions, duties and rescue requirements vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is high-level and general — it is not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that a document is valid anywhere.
Always confirm the current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for assessing and controlling confined space work, providing rescue arrangements and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not determine what your assessment must contain, does not make a workplace compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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