Confined Spaces AgSkills

A practical guide to confined space safety on farms, covering hazard identification, risk assessment, atmospheric testing, PPE, rescue procedures, permits and WHS.

This book is a tool to help identify and manage confined spaces on farms. Too many farmers, their family members and employees have lost their lives because they did not understand the hazards of a confined space and did not take the necessary control measures.

Produced by Tocal College and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Confined Spaces Agskills provides essential guidance for identifying, assessing and managing confined space hazards commonly found on farms and rural workplaces. Designed for farm owners, managers, supervisors and workers, this practical resource explains the safety procedures, legal requirements and risk controls needed before entering confined spaces.

Confined spaces such as silos, water tanks, manure pits, grain storage facilities and pump stations can present serious hazards including oxygen-deficient atmospheres, toxic gases, engulfment, fire and explosion risks. This guide helps readers understand those dangers and implement systems that protect workers and comply with workplace safety requirements.

Who this guide is for

• Farmers and farm business owners
• Property managers and supervisors
• Agricultural workers
• Work health and safety officers
• Rural contractors
• Students undertaking farm safety training
• Training providers and educators

What you'll learn

• What constitutes a confined space
• Confined space hazards commonly found on farms
• Work Health and Safety (WHS) requirements
  
• Confined space management programs
• Hazard identification and risk assessment
• Atmospheric testing and monitoring procedures
• Entry permit requirements
• Isolation and lock-out processes
• Fire and explosion prevention
• Respiratory protective equipment selection
• Standby person responsibilities
• Rescue planning and emergency procedures
• Record keeping and legislative compliance

Table of Contents

• What is a confined space?
• Confined spaces on farms
• Health and safety rules
• Creating a confined space management program
• Identifying hazards
• Conduct confined space risk assessment
• Atmospheric testing and monitoring
• Confined space entry permit
• Signs and barricades
• Isolation
• Making the atmosphere safe
• Fire control
• Respiratory protective equipment
• Standby person
• Rescue equipment
• The confined space entry
• Keeping records
• Glossary
• Legislation

Confined spaces is part of the AgSkills series.