Confined and Restricted Spaces
There are numerous restricted and confined spaces throughout the university, including boilers, wet wells, tanks, vessels, sewer manholes, electrical vaults, crawlspaces, air handling units (AHU), mechanical spaces, pits and excavations. Work in these spaces can involve serious health and safety risks, including asphyxiation, drowning and movement-related injuries.
The was developed to establish minimum legislated requirements and industry best practices to prevent injury to workers who are working in restricted and confined spaces. Anyone working in a restricted or confined space at the university or elsewhere for the purpose of university related activities must be trained and competent to enter the space and must adhere to the U of A’s Code of Practice at all times.
Failure to do so may result in injury or death and is subject to disciplinary action by the U of A and penalties or prosecution by Alberta Occupational Health and Safety.
Identification of Confined and Restricted Spaces
The U of A has prepared a that lists restricted and confined spaces at the university.
Spaces will be signed as “Confined” or “Restricted” and with a QR code that links to the inventory.
Workers planning to enter these spaces must first review the inventory, which contains the following information:
- Classification of the space as restricted or confined
- Additional hazards in the space