The deadline for submissions on the ‘Working in Confined Spaces’ guideline closed on Friday, 9th April 2010. Review report under development.

The Department of Labour accepts Australian Standard AS 2865:2009 Confined Spaces as the current state of knowledge on confined space entry work.

The Department of Labour is seeking input for a revision of the Working in a Confined Space Guideline. When completed, the guideline is intended to replace the first edition published in 1997.

The reasons for the revision are:

• to include the amendments to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 that came into effect in May 2003;
• to ensure changes to Standards are reflecting in the current document
• to reflect current good practice operating in a range of diverse workplaces across New Zealand;
• to ensure that guidance material provided around this issue is consistent with other New Zealand documents; and
• to ensure that New Zealand guidance documents reflect international best practice.

Confined Spaces are often overlooked as a hazard and/or not properly identified. Unfortunately many fatalities in a confined space also result in harm coming to rescuers and revised clear guidance material is essential. It is intended that the reviewed Guideline would apply to those who work in and around confined spaces with key stakeholders including the construction and mining sectors. Interested parties are invited to comment on the current guidelines.

Public consultation

The Department welcomes your comments on this draft document. Please see the section below.

Confined Space Guideline draft document (existing Guideline)
Confined Space Guideline Response Form [rtf 4pages, 205kB]

The response form has fields for your name, address and position, your organisation's or business's name (if applicable) and a list of options to best describe the representation you provide for this consultation.

Feedback is requested in page order noting the page, section, subsection or paragraph with any recommendation you wish to make.

If you wish to provide feedback, please complete the Response Form and return it by email or post to:
Demi Naylor
Senior Advisor, Standard Setting
Department of Labour
PO Box 3705
Wellington 6140
Email: demi.naylor@dol.govt.nz

Responses are due by 5pm on Friday 9th April 2010.