Posted By Neil Pettitt Hi, Could anyone advise me where I can find definitions (preferably contained within legislation)of the different classes of confined spaces which would be encountered in the petrochemical industry. I have found some classifications used by the water industry such as NC1, NC2, NC3 & NC4 with NC4 being the most hazardous class. I have heard references to Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 confined spaces and also Low, Medium and High risk confined spaces but cannot find a definition of these classes or any information that might suggest that the terminology is interchangeable. Any help would be appreciated. Regards Neil.

Posted By peter gotch 1 Neil I posted link to the Water UK guidance earlier this week in response to posting by Bill Dark. Historically, the water industry defined Classes 1-3 with guidelines which off the top of my head date back to about 1978. The current guidance is in effect a refinement of the previous regime more clearly recognising that specific local conditions could lead you to recognise that you need to classify at a higher level than the basic circumstances would suggest. The Water UK guidance was certainly NOT intended to apply to other sectors NOR to be adopted by other sectors, though some of the principles could be applied to any confined spaces risks. There may be some more specifically relevant guidance from your own industry's industry association or e.g. the offshore Step Change initiative. [Whether onshore or offshore you can sign up to Step Change for free, albeit with some restrictions on what you can access] Good luck, Peter

Posted By SteveD-M There are four risk assessment categories for confined spaces classified within the City and Guilds scheme which are labelled NC1 (least risk) to NC4 (most risk): NC1 category: confined spaces involving low risk shallow entry with adequate natural or mechanical ventilation. Access is simple and unobstructed and there is no likely risk of flooding. NC2 category: confined spaces involving vertical direct unobstructed access and continuous attachment to a man riding a hoist or other similar mechanical rescue device. NC3 category : confined spaces involve not possible to have operatives permanently attached to safety line and usually a team entry where work is carried out away from the access point. NC4 category: confined spaces involve non standard entries involving complex operations and additional risks which require specific controls and emergency arrangements. I think this may answer the original post...