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Hazards commonly encountered in confined spaces include:

•Toxic substances in hazardous concentrations resulting from liquids, sludge or scale that release toxic gases over time.  Slow chemical reactions may also cause hazardous gases.  Toxic substances can also enter the confined space through open pipes or duct work if not positively isolated.

•Lack of Oxygen causing asphyxiation caused by oxygen absorbing chemicals, substances that react with oxygen and gases that displace oxygen.

•Flammable gases, vapours or liquids in the confined space or brought into the space such as compressed welding gases.

•Electrical hazards that may electrocute workers or ignite flammable mixtures.

•Energized mechanical equipment such as mixers or conveyers inside tanks or vessels.

•Cave in on an excavation causing asphyxiation.

•Contact with chemicals, corrosives or irritants.

•Pyrophoric substances such as iron sulphide.

•Other ignition sources such as static electricity.

•Other physical hazards such as working at heights, falling materials, extreme heat or cold.

•Extreme weather such as electrical storms.