Respiratory Protection in Confined Space
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Confined spaces often present unseen challenges. Confined spaces are areas that meet all of the following criteria:
- Large enough for workers to enter and perform certain jobs
- Limited or restricted means for entry or exit
- Not designed for continuous occupancy
The know-how to navigate job sites with confined spaces.
Confined spaced. Unique challenges.
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.
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Common types of confined spaces
Safely handling entries and exits starts with identifying your work spaces:
- Storage tanks
- Culverts
- Tunnels
- Elevator shafts
- Ductwork
- Trench box
- Utility vaults
Where they are found
Working safely in confined spaces is universal, but different industries present their own challenges:
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Chemical manufacturing
- Food and beverage manufacturing
- Oil and gas
- Waste water treatment
Developing a Confined Space Plan
Be ready before getting to work, so your team can safely handle all entries and exits.
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Infographic: Four steps of a plan
Before working in a confined space, always start with:
- A site evaluation
- Identification of proper safety equipment and other required tools
- A trained rescue team that has developed a pre-planning program
- Certified training that involves practice and hands-on experience for all parties who will work in and around a confined space
Plan, Access, Work Inside, and Rescue & Retrieval: Learn what they mean and how to address each step.
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Additional Planning Resources
View the video to learn more about the basic elements that make up confined space entry, retrieval and rescue.
Read the Blog: Successfully Manage Confined Spaces
Evaluate - Permit Required Confined Space Checklist (PDF, 158.06 KB)
Respiratory products for confined spaces
Confined spaces present some of the most challenging environments. When your in a toxic atmosphere exposed to respiratory hazards like combustible dusts, hazardous chemicals, or experience oxygen deficiency, you need respiratory protection that will support you.
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Supplied air systemsClean, breathable air can be delivered to hoods, helmets, full facepieces, half facepieces and loose-fitting facepieces. 3M supplied air respirators require a source of clean Grade D breathing air, such as plant air systems or bottled air. -
Self-contained breathing apperatusWhen hazards are so concentrated or so toxic they can't be brought to acceptable levels with other types of respiratory protection or if you've been unable to definitely record the level of hazard in the workplace, you may need a self-contained breathing apperatus.
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RespiratorsIf you know the hazard in the workplace and the protection factor you need to meet, a negative-pressure respirator may be an option.
Got questions? Get in touch with our respiratory protection specialists.
Choosing and using Respiratory Products
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Learn about 3M Repiratory Protection products
Disposable filtering facepiece respirators
Reusable respirators
Powered air-purifying respiratorsLearn about all respiratory protection products
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