Avoiding entry and planning the work — Confined Spaces Practice

Sample questions

1. 01A site induction slide quotes the duty to avoid entering a confined space. Which part of the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 contains that duty?

   • ARegulation 1(2), on the meaning of words
   • BRegulation 4(1), on work in confined spaces
   • CRegulation 3, on the duties of employers
   • DRegulation 5, on emergency arrangements

   Why: Regulation 4(1) says no person at work shall enter a confined space to carry out work unless it is not reasonably practicable to achieve the purpose without entry. Regulation 3 sets out who has duties, regulation 5 covers rescue arrangements and regulation 1(2) holds the definitions, so none of them is the avoidance duty itself.

2. 02You need an insulation resistance result for a cable that runs through a chamber classed as a confined space. Both ends are at boards in a dry plant room. What does regulation 4(1) point you to?

   • AEnter, as testing is a short job that needs no plan
   • BEnter, as long as a colleague stands at the opening
   • CTest from the boards, as entry is not needed for it
   • DEnter, but only after a permit has been signed off

   Why: Regulation 4(1) turns on the purpose of the work: if the result can reasonably practicably be obtained without going in, nobody at work may enter to get it. Testing from the accessible ends gives the result here. A permit or a colleague at the opening are entry precautions, and they do not answer the earlier question of whether entry is needed at all.

3. 03An outside method would achieve the purpose of a job, but a colleague says climbing into the chamber would be quicker today. How does regulation 4(1) treat that?

   • AEntry is fine if the colleague has done it many times
   • BEither way is lawful, so the team can choose freely
   • CEntry is fine if it saves a significant amount of time
   • DThe outside method is expected, as it is reasonably practicable

   Why: Regulation 4(1) only allows entry where it is not reasonably practicable to achieve the purpose without it. If a reasonably practicable outside method exists, that is the method the law expects, even if going in would feel quicker. Experience and convenience do not turn avoidable entry into lawful entry.