WorkplaceSafetyandHealth(ConfinedSpaces)Regulations2009

EnactingFormula
PartIPRELIMINARY
1Citationandcommencement
2Definitions
3Application
PartIIGENERALPROVISIONS
4Recordofconfinedspacesinfactory
5Accesstoandegressfromconfinedspace
6Openingofentrancecoverofconfinedspace
7Lightinginconfinedspace
8Ventilationinconfinedspace
PartIIICONTROLOFENTRYINTOCONFINEDSPACE
9Implementationofconfinedspaceentrypermit
10Noentryintoorworkinconfinedspacewithoutevaluationandconfinedspaceentrypermit
11Applicationforconfinedspaceentrypermit
12Evaluationofconfinedspaceentrypermit
13Issueofconfinedspaceentrypermit
14Postingofconfinedspaceentrypermit
15Monitoringtoensuresafetyandhealthofworkerduringentryintoorworkinconfinedspace
16Periodictestingofatmosphere
17Dutytoreportincompatiblework
18Reviewandrevocationofconfinedspaceentrypermit
PartIVMISCELLANEOUS
19Warningsign
20Displayofnameoridentificationbadge
21Trainingofworkersandsupervisors
22Appointmentanddutiesofconfinedspaceattendant
23Rescueoperation

24Offences

No.S462
WORKPLACESAFETYANDHEALTHACT
(CHAPTER354A)
WORKPLACESAFETYANDHEALTH(CONFINEDSPACES)REGULATIONS2009
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 65 of the Workplace Safety and Health Act, the
MinisterforManpowerherebymakesthefollowingRegulations:
PARTI
PRELIMINARY
Citationandcommencement
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Workplace Safety and Health (Confined Spaces)
Regulations2009andshallcomeintooperationon1stNovember2009.
Definitions
2.IntheseRegulations,unlessthecontextotherwiserequires
authorisedmanagermeansanauthorisedmanagerappointedunderregulation9andincludes
any other person appointed to perform the duties of an authorised manager by the
responsibleperson
competentpersonmeansapersonwhohassufficientexperienceandtrainingtoperformthe
workrequiredtobecarriedout
confinedspacemeansanychamber,tank,manhole,vat,silo,pit,pipe,flueorotherenclosed
space,inwhich
(a) dangerous gases, vapours or fumes are liable to be present to such an extent as to
involveariskoffireorexplosion,orpersonsbeingovercomethereby
(b) the supply of air is inadequate, or is likely to be reduced to be inadequate, for
sustaininglifeor
(c) thereisariskofengulfmentbymaterial
confined space attendant means a confined space attendant appointed under
regulation22
confinedspaceentrypermitmeansapermitissuedunderregulation13
confinedspacesafetyassessormeansaconfinedspacesafetyassessorappointedunder
regulation9(b)

entry means ingress by a person into a confined space which occurs when the persons
headpassesthroughanopeningintotheconfinedspace
hazardousatmospheremeansanatmospherewhere
(a) thelevelofoxygenintheatmosphereisnotwithintherangeof19.5%to23.5%by
volume
(b) thelevelofflammablegasorvapourintheatmosphereis10%ormoreofitslower
explosivelimitor
(c) the levels of toxic substances in the atmosphere exceed the permissible exposure
levelsasspecifiedintheFirstScheduletotheWorkplaceSafetyandHealth(General
Provisions)Regulations(Rg1)
responsible person, in relation to a person entering or working in a confined space,
means
(a) hisemployeror
(b) theprincipalunderwhosedirectionheentersorworksintheconfinedspace.
Application
3.TheseRegulationsshallapplyinrelationtoconfinedspacesinworkplaces.
PARTII
GENERALPROVISIONS
Recordofconfinedspacesinfactory
4.Whereafixedandstationaryconfinedspaceissitedinafactory,itshallbethedutyofthe
occupierofthefactoryto
(a) makearecordofthedescriptionandlocationoftheconfinedspaceand
(b) informpersonswhoareliabletobeexposedtothehazardsoftheconfinedspace,ofthe
existenceandhazardsoftheconfinedspace.
Accesstoandegressfromconfinedspace
5.Itshallbethedutyoftheoccupierofaworkplacetotake,sofarasisreasonablypracticable,
measures to ensure that the means of entry into and egress from any confined space in the
workplacearesafeandwithoutriskstothehealthofeverypersonenteringorleavingthesame.
Openingofentrancecoverofconfinedspace
6. It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined
space which contains any substance under pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to ensure
that
(a) theentrancecoveroftheconfinedspaceisnotremovedunlesstheconfinedspaceis
depressurisedandrenderedsafeforopeningand

(b) whensuchentrancecoverisremoved,theopeningtotheconfinedspace is barricaded

or guarded by railings or other effective means, to prevent any person or object from
fallingintotheconfinedspace.
Lightinginconfinedspace
7. It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a confined
space to ensure that there is sufficient and suitable lighting for such entry into or work in the
confinedspace.
Ventilationinconfinedspace
8.(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a
confinedspacetoensurethattheventilationintheconfinedspacecomplieswiththisregulation.
(2) Adequate and effective ventilation shall be maintained in the confined space for the
purposesofentryintoandworkintheconfinedspace.
(3)Theairsupplyfortheventilationshallbe
(a) fromasourcefreefromcontaminantsand
(b) directedtotheareawhereapersonisorwillbepresentintheconfinedspace.
(4) Where exhaust ventilation is used, the exhaust air from the ventilation system shall be
exhaustedtoalocationoutsidetheconfinedspacewhereitdoesnotpresentahazardtoanyperson.
PARTIII
CONTROLOFENTRYINTOCONFINEDSPACE
Implementationofconfinedspaceentrypermit
9.Beforeanypersonentersorworksinaconfinedspace,itshallbethedutyofhisresponsible
personto
(a) appoint a person whom the responsible person reasonably believes is competent to carry
out the duties of an authorised manager, as an authorised manager for the confined
space
(b) appoint a person whom the responsible person reasonably believes is competent to carry
outthedutiesofaconfinedspacesafetyassessor,asaconfinedspacesafetyassessor
fortheconfinedspaceand
(c) ensurethataconfinedspaceentrypermithasbeenissuedinrespectoftheentryintoor
workintheconfinedspacewhichspecifies
(i)

thedescriptionandlocationoftheconfinedspace

(ii)

thepurposeofentryintotheconfinedspace

(iii)

theresultsofthegastestingoftheatmosphereoftheconfinedspaceand

(iv)

itsperiodofvalidity.

Noentryintoorworkinconfinedspacewithoutevaluationandconfinedspaceentrypermit

10.(1)Subjecttoparagraph(2),nopersonshallenterorworkinaconfinedspaceunless
(a) the occupier of the workplace in which the confined space is sited has made an
evaluationthatitisnecessaryforsuchpersontoenterorworkintheconfined space
and
(b) aconfinedspaceentrypermithasbeenissuedinrespectofsuchentryintoorworkin
theconfinedspace.
(2)Paragraph(1)(b)shallnotapplyifthepersonenteringorworkingintheconfinedspace
(a) iswearingasuitablebreathingapparatus
(b) hasbeenauthorisedtoenterorworkintheconfinedspacebytheauthorisedmanager
fortheconfinedspaceand
(c) wherereasonablypracticable,iswearingasafetyharnesswitharopesecurelyattachedand
thereisaconfinedspaceattendantkeepingwatchoutsidetheconfinedspacewhois
providedwiththemeanstopullsuchpersonoutoftheconfinedspaceinanemergency.
Applicationforconfinedspaceentrypermit
11.Anapplicationforaconfinedspaceentrypermitshall
(a) bemadebythesupervisorofthepersonwhoistoenterorworkintheconfinedspace
(b) bemadeinsuchformandmannerasmayberequiredbytheauthorisedmanagerforthe
confinedspace
(c) statethemeasureswhichwillbetakentoensurethesafetyandhealthofpersonswhoenter
orcarryouttheworkintheconfinedspaceand
(d) be addressed to the authorised manager and submitted to the confined space safety
assessorfortheconfinedspace.
Evaluationofconfinedspaceentrypermit
12.(1)Onreceiptoftheapplicationforaconfinedspaceentrypermit,theconfinedspace
safetyassessorshalltesttheatmosphereoftheconfinedspacepriortoentrybyanypersonintothe
confinedspace.
(2)Theconfinedspacesafetyassessorshall,inrelationtothetestingoftheatmospherereferred
toinparagraph(1)
(a) useasuitableandproperlycalibratedinstrument
(b) conductthetestinthefollowingsequence:
(i)

testforlevelofoxygencontent

(ii)

testforlevelofflammablegasorvapourand

(iii)

testforconcentrationoftoxicgasorvapour,whereapplicable

(c) conductthetestinamannerthatwillnotendangerhimselforothersand
(d) recordtheresultsofthetestintheconfinedspaceentrypermit.

(3) If the confined space safety assessor is satisfied that entry into or work in a confined
spacecanbecarriedoutwithdueregardtothesafetyandhealthofpersonswhoenterorworkinthe
confinedspace,heshallendorsetheapplicationfortheconfinedspaceentrypermitandforward
theendorsedapplicationtotheauthorisedmanagerfortheconfinedspace.
(4)Itshallbethedutyoftheconfinedspacesafetyassessortoexerciseallduediligencewhen
performinghisfunctionsinrelationtothetesting,evaluationandendorsementofanapplicationfora
confinedspaceentrypermitunderparagraphs(1),(2)and(3).
Issueofconfinedspaceentrypermit
13.(1) The authorised manager for a confined space may issue a confined space entry
permitinrespectofentryintoorworkintheconfinedspaceiftheauthorisedmanagerissatisfied
that
(a) the level of oxygen in the confined space is within the range of 19.5% to 23.5% by
volume
(b) thelevelofflammablegasorvapourintheconfinedspaceislessthan10%ofitslower
explosivelimit
(c) thelevelsoftoxicsubstancesintheatmosphereoftheconfinedspacedonotexceedthe
permissibleexposurelevelsasspecifiedintheFirstScheduletotheWorkplaceSafetyand
Health(GeneralProvisions)Regulations(Rg1)
(d) theconfinedspaceisadequatelyventilated
(e) effectivestepshavebeentakentopreventanyingressofdangerousgases,vapoursorany
otherdangeroussubstancesintotheconfinedspaceand
(f) all reasonably practicable measures have been taken to ensure the safety and health of
personswhowillbeenteringorworkingintheconfinedspace.
(2)Iftheauthorisedmanagerissuesaconfinedspaceentrypermit,itshallbehisdutytoretaina
copyofthepermit.
(3)Itshallbethedutyoftheauthorisedmanagertoexerciseallduediligencewhenperforminghis
functioninrelationtotheissuanceofaconfinedspaceentrypermitunderparagraph(1).
(4)Iftheentryorworkintheconfinedspaceforwhichtheconfinedspaceentrypermitis
issuedisnotcompletedwithinthevalidityperiodofthepermit,afreshapplicationshallbemadein
accordancewithregulation11.
Postingofconfinedspaceentrypermit
14.Whereaconfinedspaceentrypermitisissuedtoasupervisorofapersonwhoistoenteror
workinaconfinedspace,itshallbethedutyofthesupervisorto
(a) clearlypostacopyofthepermitattheentrancetotheconfinedspace,includingwhere
reasonablypracticable,asketchoftheareawithintheconfinedspacewheretheentryis
tobemadeorworkistobeconductedand
(b) ensurethatthecopyofthepermitisnotremoveduntil
(i)

thedateofexpiryofthepermit

(ii)

therevocationofthepermitor

(iii)

the person entering or working in the confined space has left the confined
spaceafterachievingthepurposeoftheentryorcompletingthework,asthecase
maybe,

whicheveristheearliest.
Monitoringtoensuresafetyandhealthofworkerduringentryintoorworkinconfinedspace
15.(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a
confinedspaceandtheauthorisedmanagerfortheconfinedspace to ensure that all measures
necessarytoensurehissafetyandhealtharetakenandinplaceatalltimesduringhisentryinto,stay
orworkintheconfinedspace.
(2)Itshallbethedutyoftheresponsiblepersonofapersonenteringorworkinginaconfined
space to inform the authorised manager for the confined space when the person entering or
working in the confined space has left the confined space after achieving the purpose of the
entryorcompletingthework,asthecasemaybe.
Periodictestingofatmosphere
16.(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a
confinedspacetoensurethat
(a) theatmosphereintheconfinedspaceistestedbyaconfinedspacesafetyassessorat
such intervals as is necessary to evaluate the safety and health of the person entering or
workingintheconfinedspace
(b) if there are 2 or more persons present in the confined space, at least one of them
continuously monitors the atmosphere in the confined space with a suitable gas
detectorand
(c) if a hazardous atmosphere in a confined space is detected by the tests or continuous
monitoringreferredtoinsubparagraphs(a)and(b)
(i)

all persons in the confined space shall vacate the confined space
immediately

(ii)

anevaluationismadetodeterminehowthehazardousatmospheredevelopedand

(iii)

no person reenters the confined space until a new confined space entry
permitisissuedbytheauthorisedmanagerfortheconfinedspace.

(2)Itshallbethedutyoftheconfinedspacesafetyassessorreferredtoinparagraph(1)(a)to
recordtheresultsofthetestsreferredtointhatparagraph.
(3)Itshallbethedutyoftheresponsiblepersontoensurethateachoftherecordsreferredtoin
paragraph(2)arekeptfornotlessthan2yearsfromthedateitismade.
Dutytoreportincompatiblework
17.(1) It shall be the duty of any person who is aware of any work being carried out in a
workplace in which a confined space is sited which is incompatible with any other work being
carried out in the confinedspace, to immediately report the incompatible work to his supervisor,
theworkplacesafetyandhealthofficer,theworkplacesafetyandhealthcoordinatorortheauthorised
managerfortheconfinedspace.

(2)Inparagraph(1),incompatibleworkmeansworkwhichiscarriedoutatorinthevicinityof
any work carried out in the confined space and which is likely to pose a risk to the safety and
healthofpersonspresentintheconfinedspace.
Reviewandrevocationofconfinedspaceentrypermit
18.(1)Itshallbethedutyoftheauthorisedmanagerforaconfinedspacewhohasissueda
confinedspaceentrypermittoreviewandassesstheneedforentryintoorworkintheconfined
spaceonadailybasisandrevokethepermitifhethinksfittodoso.
(2)If,afterissuingaconfinedspaceentrypermit,theauthorisedmanagerisoftheviewthatthe
carryingoutoftheworkintheconfinedspace poses or is likely to pose a risk to the safety and
healthofpersonsenteringorworkingintheconfinedspace,hemayorderallpersonstoleavethe
confined space immediately and all work in the confined space to cease immediately, and
revoketheconfinedspaceentrypermit.
(3)Withoutprejudicetoparagraph(2),theauthorisedmanager
(a) may revoke a confined space entry permit in respect of a confined space if he is
satisfiedthat
(i)

theentryorworkintheconfinedspacehasbeencompletedor

(ii)

the entry or work in the confined space cannot be continued for a significant
periodoftimeand

(b) shall,inthecircumstancesdescribedinregulation16(1)(c),revoketherelevantconfined
spaceentrypermit.
PARTIV
MISCELLANEOUS
Warningsign
19.Itshallbethedutyoftheoccupierofanyworkplaceinwhichaconfinedspaceissitedto
clearly post a notice at the entrance to the confined space to warn persons of the hazards of the
confinedspaceunless
(a) acopyoftheconfinedspaceentrypermitinrespectoftheconfinedspaceisposted
thereinaccordancewithregulation14(a)or
(b) thereisnoentrancewhichpersonsmayusetoentertheconfinedspace.
Displayofnameoridentificationbadge
20. It shall be the duty of a person entering a confined space to display his name and
identificationbadgeattheentrancetotheconfinedspaceanditshallbethedutyofhisresponsible
persontoensurethathedoesthesame.
Trainingofworkersandsupervisors
21.(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a
confined space to ensure, before such entry or work, that the person has first received adequate

safety and health training for the purpose of familiarising himself with the hazards associated with
suchentryintoorworkintheconfinedspaceandtheprecautionstobeobserved.
(2)Whereanypersonconductsoversightorsupervisoryworkinaconfinedspace,itshallbethe
dutyofhisresponsiblepersontoensurethatthepersonhasfirstreceivedadequatesafetyandhealth
trainingtoensurethattheworkwhichthepersonoverseesorsupervisescanbecarriedoutsafely.
Appointmentanddutiesofconfinedspaceattendant
22.(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a
confinedspacetoappointaconfinedspaceattendantbeforesuchentryorwork.
(2)Itshallbethedutyoftheconfinedspaceattendanttoremainoutsidetheconfinedspace
inorderto
(a) monitorpersonsenteringandworkingintheconfinedspace
(b) maintain regular contact with the persons in the confined space and when necessary
assistthemtoevacuateshouldtheneedariseand
(c) alertthepersonsappointedtocarryoutrescueworkintheeventofanemergency.
Rescueoperation
23.(1) It shall be the duty of the responsible person of a person entering or working in a
confinedspaceto
(a) establishawrittenrescueplanforthepurposeofrescuingpersonsintheconfinedspace
intheeventofanemergency
(b) appointpersonstocarryoutrescueworkandensurethatsuchpersonshavefirstreceived
adequate training in rescue operation including firstaid and the proper use of personal
protectiveequipmentandotherequipmentnecessaryforcarryingoutarescueoperationin
theconfinedspaceand
(c) ensurethatthereisasufficientsupplyofsuitablebreathingapparatus,safetyharnessand
ropes,suitablerescueequipmentandsuitablerevivingapparatuswhichare
(i)

keptreadilyavailable

(ii)

properlymaintainedand

(iii)

thoroughlyexaminedbyacompetentpersonatleastonceamonthoratsuchother
intervalsastheCommissionermayrequire.

(2)Itshallbethedutyofthecompetentpersonreferredtoinsubparagraph(c)ofparagraph(1)
to
(a) exerciseallduediligencewhenmakingtheexaminationreferredtointhatsubparagraph
and
(b) record every examination made under that subparagraph and produce such record for
inspectionuponrequestbyaninspector.
(3)Itshallbethedutyoftheresponsiblepersonreferredtoinparagraph(1)toensurethateachof
therecordsreferredtoinparagraph(2)(b)iskeptfornotlessthan2yearsfromthedateeachismade.

Offences
24.(1) Except as otherwise provided in this regulation, any person who contravenes any
provisionoftheseRegulationsshallbeguiltyofanoffenceandshallbeliableonconviction
(a) in the case where the person is an individual, to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to
imprisonmentforatermnotexceeding2yearsortoboth
(b) inanyothercase,toafinenotexceeding$20,000.
(2)Anypersonwhocontravenesregulation9or10(1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be
liableonconvictiontoafinenotexceeding$20,000.
(3)Anypersonwhocontravenesregulation20or22(2)shallbeguiltyofanoffenceandshallbe
liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent
conviction,toafinenotexceeding$5,000.
(4)Anypersonwhocontravenesregulation23(2)shallbeguiltyofanoffenceandshallbeliable
onconvictiontoafinenotexceeding$2,000and,inthecaseofasecondorsubsequentconviction,to
afinenotexceeding$5,000.
Madethis25thdayofSeptember2009.
LEOYIP
PermanentSecretary,
MinistryofManpower,
Singapore.
[C01004800006AG/LEG/SL/354A/2006/11Vol.1]
(TobepresentedtoParliamentundersection65(8)oftheWorkplaceSafetyandHealthAct).