What counts as a confined space
Confined spaces are dangerous precisely because they’re not designed as places to work – poor ventilation in an enclosed space can quickly lead to a hazardous atmosphere.
Not every small space is a confined space in the work health and safety sense. A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed space that:
- is not designed or intended to be occupied by a person
- is at normal atmospheric pressure while a person is in it
- poses a risk to health and safety from an unsafe oxygen level, or from contaminants that could cause fire or explosion
- has, or could have, harmful concentrations of airborne contaminants
- is at risk of engulfment.
Tanks, silos, pits, vessels, ducts, sewers and similar enclosures are common examples.
How Airsafe can help
Airsafe’s occupational hygienists work to the requirements of the work health and safety legislation and the relevant Australian Standard for confined spaces (AS 2865). We:
- develop a register of the confined spaces at your premises, including signage and labelling requirements
- assess the hazards and risks of each space – including atmospheric testing for oxygen, flammable gases and toxic contaminants – and advise on the controls needed for safe entry
- prepare the documentation that helps you set standards and meet your legal obligations.
The goal is simple: that anyone who has to enter a confined space at your workplace can do so safely, and that you can show you’ve managed the risk properly.
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“We recently appointed Airsafe to undertake air monitoring and reporting at a brownfield development site during the demolition stage. Their proactive, professional and cost and time-efficient approach and implementation were excellent.”– Carl O. Peterson, December 2021
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“AIRSAFE has become our go-to company for all air monitoring needs. Working for a large paint company, we’ve found their service not only exceptional but also backed by valuable advice. They are consistently reliable, flexible, and a pleasure to work with. These qualities made it an easy decision to choose them as our preferred supplier.”– Nik Pappas, November 2025
FAQs
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It’s not just about size. In the work health and safety sense, a confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed space that isn’t designed to be occupied, is at normal atmospheric pressure, and carries a risk from an unsafe oxygen level, a flammable or explosive atmosphere, harmful airborne contaminants, or engulfment. Tanks, silos, pits, vessels, ducts and sewers are typical examples.
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The big ones are oxygen deficiency (or, occasionally, oxygen enrichment), flammable or explosive atmospheres, toxic gases and vapours, and engulfment by liquids or free-flowing solids. Because many of these are invisible, the atmosphere has to be tested before and during entry – which is part of what we assess and advise on.
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We work to the WHS legislation and AS 2865. We build a register of your confined spaces with signage and labelling, assess the hazards of each one (including atmospheric testing for oxygen, flammable gases and toxic contaminants), advise on the controls needed for safe entry, and prepare the documentation you need to meet your obligations. Call us on 1300 888 338 to get started.
Contact us about confined spaces today
If your people enter confined spaces, an assessment tells you where the risks are and how to make entry safe.
We work across Sydney, NSW and Australia, with travel built into our quotes for sites further afield.
Contact us for a fast quote on a confined space assessment, or call Airsafe on 1300 888 338.
Last updated: May 2026
