Webinar Working in Confined Spaces
In December, Mennens and 3M jointly organised an in-depth webinar on safe working in confined spaces. The aim of this webinar was to increase awareness, inform participants about the risks, legislation, practical measures and emergency planning, and provide concrete tools to create a safer working environment. In many industries, working in confined spaces remains an underestimated high-risk activity, where unsafe practices can have serious or even fatal consequences if not properly planned and executed.
The content of the webinar is outlined in this article. Curious to watch the full webinar? You can view it via the button below.
Awareness of the Hazards
Confined spaces present a growing challenge in many industries. Many organisations still underestimate the potential dangers. Unsafe practices such as merely attaching a rope to a worker, failing to carry out gas measurements, lacking ventilation, supervision, rescue plans or rescue equipment continue to occur. In some cases, no rescue plan is in place at all, significantly increasing the impact of an incident.
It is essential that everyone involved understands the risks of oxygen deficiency, poisoning, fire or explosion, and that a safe working method is determined before entering the confined space. These risks are explicitly recognised in legislation as key reasons why working in confined spaces is considered hazardous.
What Is a Confined Space?
A confined space is not simply a small area. It is an environment that:
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is not designed for continuous human occupancy,
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has limited entry and exit points,
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often has poor or no natural ventilation,
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is difficult to access, including for emergency responders.
Examples include pits, silos, tanks, shafts, machine housings and crawl spaces.
Characteristics of Confined Spaces
A confined space may include, but is not limited to, the following characteristics:
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difficult access, including for rescue services,
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not suitable for human habitation,
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limited freedom of movement,
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potential presence of hazardous substances and/or oxygen deficiency,
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little or no daylight,
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little or no ventilation,
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normally closed off from the surrounding environment.
These conditions can quickly lead to life-threatening situations if adequate control measures are not taken.
Methods of Access
Access to a confined space may occur:
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from above (vertical entry),
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through side entry points,
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from below.
Regardless of the access method, a primary access system must always be combined with a back-up system, such as a self-retracting lifeline with rescue function or a winch. Ladders or rungs may serve as access systems, but when these are not available or feasible, mechanical lifting and rescue devices must be used to ensure safe entry and exit.
Key Safety Considerations
Safe working in confined spaces requires attention at every stage:
Before entry:
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determine whether access is horizontal or vertical,
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use fixed or mobile ladders where appropriate.
During the work:
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maintain constant communication with the worker inside the space,
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continuously monitor the atmosphere using gas detection equipment,
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ensure that the correct tools and personal protective equipment (PPE) are available.
During exit:
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ensure that evacuation can be carried out quickly and safely at all times.
Emergency planning:
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determine whether a rescue operation is feasible,
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identify which equipment and training are required,
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decide whether rescue will be carried out horizontally or vertically.
Possible emergency scenarios include gas alarms, unresponsive workers, injuries, or explosions inside the confined space.
Legislation and Regulations
Working in confined spaces is not only a safety issue but also a legal obligation. Dutch legislation includes the following requirements:
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Hazards and risks must be eliminated or reduced according to the hierarchy of control measures.
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A Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E) is mandatory and forms the basis of the safety approach.
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Employees must be demonstrably competent to perform the tasks assigned to them.
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The organisation of emergency response (BHV) must be aligned with the nature of the work.
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A Safety and Health Plan (V&G Plan) is mandatory prior to commencing work.
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Measures must be taken to prevent suffocation, intoxication, poisoning, fire and explosion.
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Openings and hatches must be properly guarded to prevent fall hazards.
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Work permits are legally required in specific industries, such as the extractive industries.
These obligations are laid down in the Dutch Working Conditions Act and the Working Conditions Decree.
Hierarchy of Control Measures
The recognised hierarchy of control measures for working safely in confined spaces is:
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Elimination (Source control) – removing the hazard entirely.
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Collective measures – preventing incidents through engineering or organisational controls.
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Individual measures – reducing risk at an individual level.
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – limiting injury or damage during an incident.
This structured approach supports organisations in systematically improving workplace safety.
The ABC of PPE
Effective use of personal protective equipment can be summarised using the ABC model:
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A = Anchorage – reliable anchorage points and systems.
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B = Bodywear – body protection such as harnesses, helmets and respiratory protection.
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C = Connection Device – connectors such as lanyards, lifelines and fall protection devices.
Correct selection, use and maintenance of PPE are essential as the final layer of protection.
Conclusion
The webinar organised by Mennens and 3M provided participants with valuable insights into the risks and solutions associated with working in confined spaces. By combining theory, practical examples and legal requirements, attendees gained the knowledge and tools needed to actively improve safety in their organisations.
Strengthening safety policies starts with awareness, proper risk assessment, effective control measures and continuous training. Because when it comes to confined spaces, safety never stops after just one webinar.
