You may need to comply with this code if you are a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) and intend to conduct work carried out in a confined space. A confined space is an enclosed or partially enclosed space that is not designed or intended primarily to be occupied by a person and could pose a risk to health and safety as a result of:
- an atmosphere that does not have a safe oxygen level
- contaminants, including airborne gases, vapours and dusts, that may cause injury in the event of fire or explosion
- harmful concentrations of any airborne contaminants
- engulfment.
Confined spaces are commonly found in vats, tanks, pits, pipes, ducts, flues, chimneys, silos, containers, pressure vessels, underground sewers, wet or dry wells, shafts, trenches, tunnels, or other similar enclosed or partially enclosed structures.