Confined Spaces & Permit-to-Work: The Basics for Victorian Manufacturers

What is a confined space entry permit, and when do you need one?

Under Victoria's Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, an employer must not allow anyone to enter a confined space unless a confined space entry permit has been issued for that specific space. If your site has tanks, silos, pits, ducts, vats or process vessels that meet the legal definition of a confined space, this permit is not a nice-to-have — it's required before anyone climbs in.

What actually counts as a confined space?

Under Part 3.4 of the OHS Regulations 2017 (Vic), a confined space is a vat, tank, pit, pipe, duct, flue, oven, chimney, silo, reaction vessel, container, receptacle, underground sewer or well, or any shaft, trench or tunnel, or similar enclosed or partially enclosed structure that meets all of the following:

• it is, or is likely to be, entered by a person
• it has a limited or restricted means of entry or exit
• it operates at normal atmospheric pressure while anyone is inside
• it contains, or is likely to contain, an atmosphere with a harmful level of contaminant, an unsafe oxygen level, or a stored substance (other than a liquid) that could cause engulfment

A "safe oxygen level" under the Regulations is between 19.5% and 23.5% by volume. Outside that range, the space carries a confined space risk regardless of its size.

Not every enclosed space on a factory floor meets this legal definition — a small electrical cabinet usually won't. But plenty of common manufacturing assets do: mixing vessels, waste pits, silos, ducting and underground tanks are the usual suspects.

What must a confined space entry permit include?

A permit applies to one confined space only, though it can cover multiple employees entering that same space. The permit must record:

1. The specific confined space it applies to
2. The risk control measures that must be followed
3. The names of the employees permitted to enter
4. The name of any standby person or supervisor assigned
5. The period of time the permit is in operation

How long do you have to keep entry permits?

An employer must keep each confined space entry permit for 30 days from the date it was issued, or until the work is completed — whichever is later. If a notifiable incident occurs in connection with the work, the permit must be kept for at least two years from the date of the incident.

What controls does an employer need before anyone enters?

Before a permit is issued, employers have several duties to work through under the Regulations:

• Identify hazards associated with the confined space and eliminate the risk, so far as reasonably practicable
• Isolate plant and services connected to the space to prevent accidental introduction of substances or activation of equipment
• Purge or ventilate any atmospheric contaminant, so far as reasonably practicable
• Ensure the atmosphere has a safe oxygen level, or provide air-supplied respiratory protective equipment if that's not achievable
• Maintain continuous communication between anyone inside the space and a person outside who can initiate emergency procedures
• Have documented, rehearsed emergency and rescue procedures in place before entry occurs

Employers must also make sure entry and exit openings are large enough for a rescue, and that any plant used in an emergency — winches, tripods, breathing apparatus — is properly maintained.

Quick reference

Requirement	What it means
Entry permit	Required before anyone enters a confined space; covers one space, one or more named employees
Safe oxygen level	19.5%–23.5% by volume
Permit retention	30 days from issue, or until work is complete; 2 years if a notifiable incident occurs
Standby person	Named on the permit, maintains continuous communication with the person inside
Training	Employers must provide information, instruction and training on hazards, controls, PPE and emergency procedures

FAQ

Do I need a confined space permit for a space my team enters only occasionally? Yes. How often the space is entered doesn't change the legal requirement — if it meets the definition in the Regulations, a permit is needed every time someone enters, aside from narrow exemptions such as emergency service personnel undertaking a rescue.

Who can be the standby person on a confined space permit? The Regulations don't set formal qualifications for a standby person, but they must be competent to maintain continuous communication with the person inside the space and to initiate emergency procedures if something goes wrong. Many manufacturers train a rotating pool of supervisors for this role.

What happens if WorkSafe finds we didn't issue a permit? Inspectors can issue improvement or prohibition notices, and non-compliance can lead to prosecution under the OHS Act 2004. Confined space incidents are also disproportionately serious, because rescuers are often injured trying to help a colleague without the right controls in place.

Getting the paperwork right is only half the job — if you want a second set of eyes on whether your confined spaces, permits and rescue plans would hold up on the day, a safety practitioner can walk the floor with you; you can book a site assessment at https://ardmor.com.au/book-audit.

This article is general information for Victorian manufacturers, not legal advice. Last updated: 10 August 2026.