Rank: New forum user 
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In the US the The OSHA Regulations define what permit-required confined spaces
are and detail the hazard reduction and control measures that employer need to implement. i.e. Their “Permit-required confined space program”
Can any IOSH member clarify for me whether or not the current UK legislation relating to confined spaces imposes a similar definition and requirement on UK employers or is this up to individual organisations to define ans assess?
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Rank: Forum user
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Alan, This link may well help you: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l101.pdfKey extracts which may assist in your query are: “confined space” means any place, including any chamber, tank, vat, silo, pit, trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space in which, by virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable specified risk; Under these Regulations a ‘confined space’ has two defining features. Firstly, it is a place which is substantially (though not always entirely) enclosed and, secondly, there will be a reasonably foreseeable risk of serious injury from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby. Permit is specifically referenced under the precautions to be included in the safe system of work: The precautions required in a safe system of work will depend on the nature of the confined space and the risk assessmen. The main elements to consider when designing a safe system of work, and which may form the basis of a ‘permit-to-work’ are: Supervision / Competence for confined spaces working / Communications / Testing/monitoring the atmosphere / Gas purging / Ventilation / Removal of residues / Selection and use of suitable equipment / PPE/RPE / Portable gas cylinders and internal combustion engines / Gas supplied by pipes and hoses / Access and egress / Fire prevention / Lighting / Static electricity / Smoking / Emergencies and rescue / Limited working time Hope this helps - Donna
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Rank: Super forum user 
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The Confined Space Regs in the UK are not as prescriptive as OSHA. However the conclusions about what is or isn't a confined space (although defined in different terms) usually amount to the same thing, and although in the UK the onus is on the employer to decide the suitable precautions based on risk assessment (the regs themselves don't mention permits), whereas the OSHA standards are very rigidly defined, in most cases similar precautions would end up being used (including permits). One difference is that under OSHA, for any part of the body to break the plane of the entrance a permit must be given (even if you don't want the person given the permit to enter actually to go in).
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Rank: Super forum user
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Another difference to mention is that in the UK, entering confined spaces has to be avoided where possible - for OSHA, you can go in as much as you like (even if the work could have been done effectively from outside) so long as you have met the standards.
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