Confined Space Entry in Ontario: What Employers Must Have in Place
5 min read
Confined spaces — including tanks, silos, manholes, tunnels, and storage vessels — are among the most hazardous environments in any industrial or construction workplace. In Ontario, confined space entry is regulated under O. Reg. 632/05 (Confined Spaces) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The regulation applies to industrial establishments, construction projects, and several other sectors. Fatalities in confined spaces almost always share the same cause: insufficient planning, no atmospheric testing, or a would-be rescuer entering without proper equipment. These deaths are entirely preventable with the right program in place.
- 1
Identify and inventory all confined spaces on your site — a space qualifies if it is large enough to enter, has restricted entry/exit, and is not designed for continuous occupancy
- 2
Develop a written confined space program that covers hazard identification, entry procedures, atmospheric testing, and rescue
- 3
Atmospheric testing for oxygen levels, flammable gases, and toxic substances must be done before and during any entry
- 4
An entry permit must be completed and signed before each confined space entry — verbal authorization is not sufficient
- 5
A trained attendant must remain outside the confined space at all times while a worker is inside
- 6
A rescue plan must be in place before entry begins — rescue teams must be trained and equipped, never attempt a rescue without proper gear
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