McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas,

Confined Space

The primary objective of this page is to provide safety information on Confined Spaces and the hazards that exist across diverse work environments. This page is not all inclusive of those hazards and the DAFMAN 91-203, Chapter 23, Confined Spaces, 29 CFR 1910.146, Permit-Required Confined Spaces and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration website on confined spaces should be reviewed and followed. 

Danger Confined Space graphic

Examples of confined spaces include, but are not limited to, aircraft fuel cells, silos, tanks, pits, manholes, vaults, storage bins, etc.

There are two (2) classifications of Confined Spaces

1) Permit-Required Confined Space - spaces that may contain or has potential to contain hazardous atmosphere or contains a material that has the potential of engulfing an entrant, also the internal configuration such that an entrant could become trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section.

2) Non-Permit Confined Space - spaces that do not contain, or with respect to atmospheric hazards, do not have the potential to contain any hazards capable of causing death or serious physical damage.

military member in a confined space peering up

Permit-Required Confined Space

Permit-required confined spaces can contain hazardous gases which can cause impairment, illness or death. It is imperative that all who enter a permit-required confined space have the correct training and personal protective equipment on or serious injuries can occur. 

Confined Space training, military member pulling another out of a tube

Non-Permit Confined Spaces

 Non-permit confined spaces do not contain, atmospheric hazards, or do not have the potential to contain hazards capable of causing death or serious physical injuries. 

Confined Space flowchart

The following flowchart can assist in determining whether you have confined spaces in your work area. When a confined space is suspected, contact the installation safety office and the Confined Space Program Team (CSPT) to evaluate whether the confined space is permit-required or non-permit. Do not enter a confined space without proper training and equipment to address the identified hazards in the space!

Commanders/Functional Managers

Lt Col sitting at desk looking at computer

Commanders and Functional Managers are required to identify, in writing, to the Occupational Safety Manager their designated representative(s) to the Confined Space Program Team and certify they are competent in confined space program requirements and are properly trained. Review Confined Space Programs and standardize Master Entry Plan documentation.

Occupational Safety Office

Wing Safety personnel in front of plane

The Occupational Safety Office will manage the installation confined space program and lead the Confined Space Program Team (CSPT). The Occupational Safety Manager will assign a safety representative to the CSPT and maintain consolidated confined space inventories provided by each organization for all confined spaces.   

Confined Space Program Team

Confined Space Program Team training

The Confined Space Program Team is comprised of Airmen from fire, safety, and bio-environmental, the supervisor of the work area, work together to safely inspect confined spaces across their installations. They assist commanders and/or functional managers in the development and administration of their organizations Confined Space Program.

Airman inside of a fuel tank

Personnel entering or working in permit-required confined spaces may encounter any number of serious hazards that can affect their ability to safely work in or evacuate from a confined space. Serious physical damage is defined as an impairment or illness in which a body part is made functionally useless or is substantially reduced in efficiency. Such impairment or illness may be permanent or temporary and includes, but is not limited to, loss of consciousness, disorientation, or other immediate and substantial reduction in mental efficiency.