If this small room is enclosed with a roof (presumably it is) is in the UK (etc.) and is being used as a smoking area then the employer is breaking the law.

You could define it as a Confined Space (although that's irrelevant).

In the regulations a Confined Space is described as having two defining features:
· It is a place which is substantially (though not always entirely) enclosed and,
· There will be a reasonably foreseeable risk of serious personal injury from hazardous substances or conditions within the space or nearby.
The Confined Space Regulations defines those risks as Specified Risks, which include loss of consciousness arising from gas, fumes, vapours or the lack of oxygen.

However, as Ron has alluded to, that's not the issue. You can't introduce a Permit to Smoke system!

Ian

Size does not matter.

As the actress said to the Bishop :-)

It the smokers are people then it breaches the Smoke Free stuff...if it is just about confined space there is 3 specified risks...asphyxiation, flammability and toxicity....might still be low risk but a confined space nonetheless..

It may not be a confined space, but may well be a Dangerous Space as defined in statute - an example (not directly relevant to a shore installation) is SI 1988 No 1638 ""dangerous space" means any enclosed or confined space in which it is foreseeable that the atmosphere may at some stage contain toxic or flammable gases or vapours, or be deficient in oxygen, to the extent that it may endanger the life or health of any person entering that space;"

In the guidance it further goes on to advise that a Dangerous Space may not necessarily be enclosed on all sides (e.g. a hole in the ground with heavier than air gas).

I will say thank you to all for your replies and discussion, it helps a lot to have a different perspective. The smoking is being done by an experiemental machine and not directly by people, and I could point out several other issues but have tried to keep it as basic as I can, for obvious reasons. However one or two people are in the room monitoring the process during testing. This is not a UK related process, I should add.

If I look at something which is definitely and easily a confined space and then on the other side something which is definitely and easily not a confined space then somewhere in the middle there is a line. Now either side of that line it is and is not and yet the difference between the two is not a lot. So we are into a very subjective zone, I know, and hence the question.

I consider that the combination of a relatively small room and the process and gas bottles, which can give off gas in fault/error conditions and which replace normal air, and the lack of what I would consider to be proper ventilation mean this is likely to be one side of the line and hence becomes a confined space. I also think the use of air sampling and an alarm adds to the case for it being a confined space.

Overall I think the precautions have been adequate for the past, and hence no issues, however I am evaluating the process and deciding how to improve things and move them forwards and hence the question.

Thanks again for your input, it helps.

Regards,
Phil.

See the common sense thread.

Congregating in an enclosed space with gas cylinders with inerting gases- I would say not very clever.
Smoking also not very clever, especially not in a area not fit for purpose.

Many thanks to all for taking the time to give your opinions and reply. Your inputs are most welcome and helpful.

Regards,

Phil.