CSP/Specific Spaces/TBT-CSP-010

Confined Space Risk Assessment

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Confined Space Risk Assessment

Toolbox Talk Record

Ref: TBT-CSP-010  |  Issue: 1  |  Date: March 2026
PresenterProject
LocationDate

What?

  • A confined space risk assessment must be completed before any entry takes place.
  • The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 require a suitable and sufficient assessment of risk.
  • Risk assessments must identify atmospheric hazards, access difficulties, and rescue needs.
  • Common confined spaces on construction sites include manholes, tanks, chambers, and deep excavations.
  • The assessment must be carried out or reviewed by a competent person with relevant experience.
  • Atmospheric hazards include oxygen depletion, toxic gases, and flammable vapours.
  • Physical hazards include engulfment, flooding, mechanical equipment, and restricted movement.
  • A safe system of work must be developed from the findings of the risk assessment.
  • Risk assessments must be reviewed whenever conditions change or a new hazard is identified.
  • Failure to assess risks properly has contributed to multiple fatality incidents in the UK.

Why?

Legal requirementThe Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 place a legal duty on employers to assess risks before any entry into a confined space.
Prevent fatalitiesConfined space incidents have a high fatality rate — would-be rescuers often become additional casualties.
Identify controlsA thorough assessment ensures that the correct controls, equipment, and emergency plans are in place before work begins.
Do Don't
  • Complete a written risk assessment before any confined space entry
  • Identify all potential atmospheric, physical, and biological hazards present
  • Assess whether entry can be avoided by alternative working methods
  • Consult gas monitoring data and historical records for the space
  • Define the safe system of work including permits and rescue plan
  • Ensure the assessor is competent and experienced in confined spaces
  • Review the assessment whenever site conditions or scope of work change
  • Communicate the assessment findings to all personnel involved in the entry
  • Record the assessment and retain it on site for reference
  • Include emergency rescue arrangements as part of every assessment
  • DON'T enter any confined space without a completed risk assessment
  • DON'T assume a space is safe because it was safe on a previous visit
  • DON'T rely on smell to detect hazardous gases — many are odourless
  • DON'T allow entry if atmospheric monitoring equipment is unavailable
  • DON'T permit untrained or inexperienced personnel to carry out assessments
  • DON'T ignore changes in weather, tide, or process that affect the space
  • DON'T skip the rescue plan — it is a mandatory part of the assessment
  • DON'T use generic assessments — each space and task needs specific review
  • DON'T proceed if the assessment identifies uncontrolled residual risks
  • DON'T forget to brief the standby person on the assessment findings

See also: Confined Space Entry Procedures | Atmospheric Monitoring and Gas Testing
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