5. Confined Space - Plan and Prepare
Worker Health and Safety
Confined Spaces. Get in easily. Get out safely.

Confined Spaces.
Get in easily. Get out safely.

We know what matters to teams that work in extreme environments.
3M Confined Space Specialists can tailor a solution for you that offers the safety, compliance, reliability and efficient cost-of-ownership you need.
Our experts will be happy to get in touch - no obligation.

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Safety Challenges in Confined Spaces

Confined spaces often present unseen challenges like extreme temperatures, unstable materials, or the potential for falls.
Your planning, preparation and equipment can mean the difference between getting in and out safely or not.

  • Learn what matters in confined spaces

    Staying safe in Confined Spaces

    • For more than 100 years, 3M has been developing effective and individual PPE (personal protection equipment) solutions for confined spaces. Failing to create a safe work environment in confined spaces can have far reaching consequences:

       
      • The lack of effective planning and protection can potentially lead to significant short and long‑term health effects.
      • Each year an average of almost 100 deaths occur in confined spaces in the United States alone (source: rocorescue.com).

    • Creating and maintaining a safe workspace within confined spaces depends on having correct and current information.
      3M can support you through this process and help you make correct decisions based on your needs.

Expert Knowledge on Confined Space Safety

No two confined spaces are exactly alike.
Type, size and hazards vary greatly, along with different standards, regulations and company policies that can apply to each working environment.

  • Common types of confined spaces
    Common types of confined spaces

    Safely handling entries and exits starts with identifying your work spaces. Common examples include:

    Storage tanks, Tunnels, Utility vaults and many more.

    Learn how to properly identify a confined space including 11 examples (PDF, 77 KB)

  • Industries with confined spaces
    Industries with confined spaces

    Confined spaces, as well as injuries and fatalities
    that occur within them, occur across almost all industries and workplaces:

    Pharmaceutical or Chemical manufacturing, Food and beverage manufacturing, Oil and gas, Waste water treatment.

    Explore the specific confined spaces challenges for 5 industries (PDF, 13 MB)

  • Hazards in confined spaces
    Hazards in confined spaces

    Many different types of hazards can be found in confined spaces, whether inherent or created by the task being conducted.
    Common potential risks include:

    Fire or explosion, Falls, Loss of consciousness, Toxical chemicals, Drowning, Engulfment and many more.

    Learn more about confined spaces hazards including 36 examples (PDF, 410 KB)

4 Elements of Working Safely in Confined Spaces

Confined spaces can be complicated and anyone, in any industry, can be exposed to working in and around them.
We break this complexity down to four major elements:

4 Elements of Working Safely in Confined Spaces

Confined spaces can be complicated and anyone, in any industry, can be exposed to working in and around them.
We break this complexity down to four major elements:

4 Elements of Working Safely in Confined Spaces

Confined spaces can be complicated and anyone, in any industry, can be exposed to working in and around them.
We break this complexity down to four major elements:

Consulting on tailored Confined Space safety solutions

Consulting on tailored Confined Space safety solutions

Let a confined space specialist from 3M help you tailor a solution that offers the safety, compliance, reliability and efficient cost-of-ownership you need.

Our experts will be happy to get in touch - no obligation.

SPEAK TO A 3M EXPERT

Products for Access, Rescue and Retrieval in Confined Spaces

Equipment You Can Trust.
Your access and rescue equipment can mean the difference between getting in and out safely or not.

  • 3M™ DBI-SALA™ Davit Arm Systems High Capacity - Increased versatility and mobility
    3M™ DBI-SALA™ Davit Arm Systems High Capacity - Increased versatility and mobility

    • Get in easily. Get out safely. Lightweight and high strength.
      The 3M™ DBI-SALA™ Davit System, designed for manhole and confined space entry/retrieval applications, has been updated to address the needs of the changing work site.

      • Convenient positioning with front or back self-retracting lifeline mounting options
      • Increased versatility of extension sizes
      • Convert from short to long reach davit arm by changing just one part
      • Designed for portability and ease of assembly with high-strength, lightweight aluminium components

    • Schedule a demonstration of our Davit system at your facility

Products for Working Inside of Confined Spaces

Equipment You Can Trust.
3M's Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) keeps you safe during your work in Confied Spaces.

Confined Spaces Training

Trust your team and your tools. Workers must have adequate preparation and experience in the work involved to function safely in confined spaces.

  • Confined Spaces Practical Overview
    Confined Spaces Practical Overview

    Learn about the basic elements that make up confined space entry, retrieval and rescue equipment. (3:34)

  • The Importance of Training for Confined Spaces
    The Importance of Training for Confined Spaces

    Learn why training is an critical component to ensure that those entering and working in confined spaces are properly prepared to do so safely and efficiently. (2:14)

  • Training Courses for Work and Rescue in Confined Spaces
    Training Courses for Work and Rescue in Confined Spaces

    Training is a key aspect of ensuring confined space entrants, attendants, supervisors, and rescuers are aware of the hazards they may face in confined spaces, and receive the proper training to carry out their job safely. 3M can support employers in complying with training requirements through our series of instructor-led Confined Space courses.

    View our full range of Confined Space training courses

See how to keep safe in Confined Spaces with 3M products

  • How to breath safely with 3M™ Scott™ Flite COV Supplied Air Respirator
    How to breath safely with 3M™ Scott™ Flite COV Supplied Air Respirator

    See how our smart product features help you to breath safely in emergency situations in Confined Spaces. (0:53)

  • How to get out quickly and safely with 3M™ Scott™ ELSA
    How to get out quickly and safely with 3M™ Scott™ ELSA

    See how our Emergency Life Support Apparatus (ELSA) keeps you safe with comfort. (1:20)

  • Keep vision when you need it most with 3M™ Scott™ Thermal Imager
    See how to assemble the 3M™ DBI-SALA® Aluminum Tripod

    See our step by step instructions on assembling the 3M™ DBI-SALA® Aluminum Tripod. (3:02)

Learn how to plan and manage Confined Spaces

Learn how to plan and manage Confined Spaces

Download 3M’s free PDF guides on how to develop a Confined Spaces plan, including:

  • Planning and managing guide explaining the 4 key elements:
    Plan, Access, Work inside, Rescue and Retrieval
  • Checklist to evaluate considerations for entering a confined space.
  • Definitions, regulations, facts and statistics
  • Infographic to raise awareness

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Ask 3M’s experts about Confined Spaces

Ask 3M’s experts about Confined Spaces

3M’s Confined Spaces experts are ready to advise you on any questions relating to safety and protection in confined spaces and the uses of 3M’s PPE products.

SPEAK TO A 3M EXPERT

    Speak to a 3M Confined Space Expert

  • Every confined space is different. Let a confined space specialist from 3M help you tailor a solution that offers the safety, compliance, reliability and efficient cost-of-ownership you need. The best way to learn what you need is an in-person site visit. Our confined space experts will come to you and learn more about your unique needs to offer the best possible solution we can offer.
    A 3M representative will be in touch shortly to discuss your needs and see how we can help you.

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