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Free confined space risk assessment
Free confined space risk assessment referencing AS/NZS 2865:2009. Covers atmospheric hazards, engulfment, isolation, rescue planning. Download now.
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17 checks · 3 sections · Sign-off
17 checks
The fields in the printable form, in a view that fits your screen.
- Space name / ID
- Type
- Location
- Dimensions
- Normal contents
- Entry / exit points
- Assessor name
- Qualifications
- Date
- Review date
- Scope of work
- Permit ref.
Atmospheric Hazards
Physical Hazards
Biological Hazards
Assessor Sign-off
Signature · Print name and qualifications · Date
Reviewed By (Entry Supervisor)
Signature · Print name · Date
The MapTrack confined space risk assessment contains 17 checks across 3 sections.
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Short answer
A confined space risk assessment records the hazards of entering a specific space, such as low oxygen, toxic or flammable gas, engulfment, entrapment and stored energy, rates each before and after controls, and sets gas test limits, isolations and the rescue method. It is completed before entry. Regulation 66 of the model WHS Regulations requires a competent person to conduct it and the assessment to be recorded in writing.
Checked against Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011) on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates
Key takeaways
- The MapTrack confined space risk assessment contains 17 checks across 3 sections. Sections covered: Atmospheric Hazards, Physical Hazards, Biological Hazards.
- Regulation 66 requires a competent person to conduct the assessment, record it in writing and review it when control measures are revised.
- Record first whether the work can be done without entering the space; regulation 66 lists that as a matter to consider.
- Regulation 74 requires emergency procedures, including rescue and first aid, to be in place and practised before anyone enters.
- Toxic gas limits follow the workplace exposure standards, which the workplace exposure limits replace from 1 December 2026 as each jurisdiction adopts them.
- Victoria applies Part 3.4 of its OHS Regulations 2017 instead of the model regulations.
What is a confined space risk assessment?
A confined space risk assessment is a systematic evaluation of all hazards associated with entry into a confined space, conducted before any person enters. Under regulation 66 of the WHS Regulations (Part 4.3), a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure that the risks of a confined space are assessed by a competent person and that the assessment is recorded in writing, and the entry permit's control measures must be based on it (regulation 67). The assessment identifies hazards such as hazardous atmospheres (oxygen deficiency or enrichment, flammable gases, toxic contaminants), engulfment by stored materials, entrapment, electrical or mechanical energy, temperature extremes and limited access or egress. For each hazard, the assessment evaluates the likelihood and consequence, then specifies the controls required to eliminate or minimise the risk.
Confined space incidents can be fatal, and would-be rescuers can become additional victims. A thorough risk assessment is the foundation of safe confined space work because it drives every downstream control: the entry permit conditions, atmospheric monitoring requirements, ventilation strategy, isolation plan, PPE selection, communication arrangements and the rescue plan. Without a documented risk assessment, the entry permit has no evidential basis and the PCBU cannot demonstrate that risks were identified and controlled so far as reasonably practicable. This template gives you that written record: the space, the work, each hazard rated before and after controls, gas test limits, isolations and the rescue method. It is suitable for Australian workplaces across construction, mining, manufacturing, water and wastewater, and oil and gas sectors.
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Benefits of using this confined space risk assessment
- Systematic hazard identification: work through every confined space hazard category so that nothing is overlooked before entry begins.
- Written risk assessment: regulation 66 requires the confined space risk assessment to be recorded in writing, and this template is that record, signed by the assessor and the entry supervisor.
- Evidence-based permits: the completed risk assessment provides the justification for every control listed on the entry permit.
- Rescue planning foundation: identify the specific rescue scenarios that could arise and ensure the rescue plan addresses each one.
- Competency record: document the competent person who conducted the assessment and the information they relied on.
- Continuous improvement: reviewing completed assessments over time reveals recurring hazards and helps refine standard operating procedures for frequently entered spaces.
What to include in a confined space risk assessment
- Confined space identification: space name, asset ID, type (tank, pit, sewer, vessel, silo, duct), location and physical dimensions.
- Assessment details: date, competent assessor name, qualifications, scope of work to be performed inside the space.
- Previous entry history: records of prior entries, known hazards, previous atmospheric test results and any incidents.
- Atmospheric hazards: potential for oxygen deficiency or enrichment, flammable gases or vapours (LEL), toxic gases (CO, H2S, NH3, SO2), airborne dust or particulates.
- Physical hazards: engulfment risk from stored materials, entrapment from internal configuration, mechanical or electrical energy sources, temperature extremes, noise, poor lighting.
- Biological hazards: bacterial or viral contamination, vermin, sewage or organic decomposition.
- Risk rating matrix: likelihood and consequence assessment for each hazard before and after controls are applied.
- Control measures: elimination, substitution, isolation, engineering controls (ventilation, lighting), administrative controls (permits, procedures, training), PPE selection.
- Atmospheric monitoring plan: pre-entry testing requirements, continuous monitoring during entry, alarm set points, gas detector calibration status.
- Rescue plan summary: rescue method (self-rescue, non-entry rescue, entry rescue), rescue equipment, trained rescue personnel, communication with standby person.
- Sign-off: assessor signature, date, review date, and any conditions or limitations.
How to use this confined space risk assessment
Gather information about the confined space before visiting the site.
Review drawings, specifications, previous risk assessments, maintenance records, atmospheric test history and any incident reports for the space. Identify what the space normally contains, what processes connect to it and what residues may remain. This desktop review ensures the site inspection is targeted and thorough.
Inspect the confined space and its surroundings to identify all hazards.
Visit the space and examine the entry and exit points, internal configuration, connected pipework, adjacent processes, ventilation openings and the surrounding environment. Look for evidence of residues, corrosion, biological growth, vermin, standing water and restricted movement. Record every hazard observed.
Assess the risk for each hazard using a likelihood and consequence matrix.
For each hazard, evaluate the likelihood of harm occurring (rare, unlikely, possible, likely, almost certain) and the potential consequence (insignificant, minor, moderate, major, catastrophic). Multiply or cross-reference to produce a risk rating. This pre-control rating establishes the baseline risk.
Determine control measures for each hazard following the hierarchy of controls.
Prioritise elimination (can the work be done without entry?), then substitution, isolation, engineering controls (forced ventilation, lighting, mechanical retrieval), administrative controls (permits, procedures, competent persons, time limits) and PPE. Record each control and the responsible person. Re-rate the risk with controls in place to confirm it is reduced so far as reasonably practicable.
Define the atmospheric monitoring and rescue plan based on the identified hazards.
Specify which gases must be tested, the acceptable ranges (e.g. O2 19.5 to 23.5%, LEL below 5%, and toxic gases such as CO and H2S below their workplace exposure standards), whether continuous monitoring is required, and the alarm set points. Document the rescue method, equipment, personnel and communication protocol. The rescue plan must address every foreseeable rescue scenario identified in the assessment.
Sign off the assessment and communicate findings to all personnel involved in the entry.
The competent assessor signs the completed risk assessment with the date and any review conditions. Brief the entry supervisor, entrants and standby person on the identified hazards, controls, monitoring requirements and rescue plan before issuing the entry permit. Attach the risk assessment to the entry permit as a supporting document.
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How often should you complete this assessment?
A confined space risk assessment must be conducted before every entry unless a current, valid assessment already covers the specific space, scope of work and conditions. If conditions change during the entry (unexpected atmospheric readings, weather events, changes to the connected process), the entry must be stopped and the risk assessment reviewed and updated. Spaces that are entered routinely (such as water treatment tanks or process vessels on a maintenance schedule) should have a standing risk assessment that is reviewed at least annually and updated whenever there is a change in the work method, the configuration of the space, the materials stored or the connected processes.
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Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about the form, record keeping and using MapTrack.
Regulation 66 of the WHS Regulations requires the risk assessment to be carried out by a competent person. A competent person is someone who has acquired, through training, qualification or experience, the knowledge and skills to carry out the task. In practice, this means a person with formal confined space training, knowledge of the WHS Regulations Part 4.3, experience with the type of confined space being assessed and familiarity with atmospheric monitoring equipment.
Link to this answerNot necessarily. If a current risk assessment exists for the same confined space, the same scope of work and the same conditions, it may be referenced. However, the entry supervisor must confirm that conditions have not changed. If any variable is different, such as the presence of a new residue, a different work activity, recent flooding or a change to adjacent processes, a new or updated risk assessment is required.
Link to this answerEntry should not proceed if the oxygen level is below 19.5% or above 23.5%, if the flammable gas concentration exceeds 5% of the lower explosive limit (LEL), or if any toxic gas, such as CO or H2S, exceeds its workplace exposure standard. The oxygen and flammable gas limits come from the WHS Regulations (the safe oxygen level definition and regulation 72), and the model Code of Practice: Confined spaces repeats them. If initial readings are outside acceptable limits, additional ventilation and retesting are required before entry.
Link to this answerThe risk assessment is the analytical process that identifies hazards, evaluates risks and determines controls. The entry permit is the authorisation document that confirms all controls from the risk assessment are in place before entry begins. The risk assessment supports and justifies the permit. An entry permit issued without a documented risk assessment lacks an evidential basis and does not meet the requirements of AS 2865 or the WHS Regulations.
Link to this answerAS/NZS 2865:2009 (Confined spaces) is the Australian and New Zealand Standard for confined space work, and this template is not a copy of its forms. It records what regulation 66 of the WHS Regulations asks a confined space risk assessment to consider, including the nature of the space, changes in oxygen or contaminant levels, the work and how it will be done, and the rescue procedures. Regulation 66 also asks whether the work can be done without anyone entering the space, so record that decision in the scope of work.
Link to this answerApplicable regulatory standards
This form is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The form alone does not establish compliance.
| Standard | Edition | Clauses this template relies on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model Work Health and Safety RegulationsConfined space duties, the written competent-person risk assessment, emergency and rescue procedures, and the hierarchy of controls the assessment applies. | Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011) |
| Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee) |
| Confined spacesRisk assessment for a confined space, planning, and documentation and record keeping. | AS/NZS 2865:2009 (incl. Amd 1:2025) |
| Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher |
| Model Code of Practice: Confined spacesModel Code on confined spaces, November 2024 version. | November 2024 version | Whole instrument | Safe Work Australia |
| Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW)NSW: the confined space duties, numbered as in the model. | Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW), commenced 22 August 2025, text as at 21 January 2026 |
| NSW Parliamentary Counsel's Office (NSW Legislation) |
| Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic)Victoria: confined space identification, controls, entry permits, emergency procedures and records. | Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic), version 018 (in force from 20 October 2026) |
| Victorian Government (Victorian Legislation) |
| Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminantsExposure standards behind toxic gas limits; the WEL list replaces them from 1 December 2026 as jurisdictions adopt it. | Amended November 2025 (aluminium welding fumes) | Whole instrument | Safe Work Australia |
Model Work Health and Safety Regulations
Edition: Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011)
Confined space duties, the written competent-person risk assessment, emergency and rescue procedures, and the hierarchy of controls the assessment applies.
- Part 4.3: Confined spaces: entry permits, signage, atmosphere controls, communication, emergency procedures and record keeping.
- reg 74: Confined space emergency procedures, including rescue and first aid, must be in place and practised.
- reg 36: Hierarchy of control measures: substitution, isolation and engineering controls first, then administrative controls, then personal protective equipment.
- reg 66: A PCBU must manage confined space risks under Part 3.1, using a written risk assessment by a competent person that considers avoiding entry, reviewed when controls are revised.
Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee)
Confined spaces
Edition: AS/NZS 2865:2009 (incl. Amd 1:2025)
Risk assessment for a confined space, planning, and documentation and record keeping.
- 3.3: Risk assessment for a confined space.
- 2.1: Planning to manage and control confined spaces.
- 2.9: Documentation, document control and record keeping for confined space work.
Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher
Model Code of Practice: Confined spaces
Edition: November 2024 version
Model Code on confined spaces, November 2024 version.
Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW)
Edition: Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW), commenced 22 August 2025, text as at 21 January 2026
NSW: the confined space duties, numbered as in the model.
- Part 4.3: Confined spaces: risk management, entry permits, isolation, atmosphere, emergency procedures and records.
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic)
Edition: Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic), version 018 (in force from 20 October 2026)
Victoria: confined space identification, controls, entry permits, emergency procedures and records.
- Part 3.4: Confined spaces: identification, risk control, entry permits, emergency procedures and records.
Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants
Edition: Amended November 2025 (aluminium welding fumes)
Exposure standards behind toxic gas limits; the WEL list replaces them from 1 December 2026 as jurisdictions adopt it.
Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.
- Model WHS Regulations (Safe Work Australia)
- Model Work Health and Safety Act (Safe Work Australia)
- ISO 31000:2018, Risk management guidelines (ISO catalogue)
MapTrack publishes this template. The linked authorities publish their own guidance; they haven't endorsed this form.
The numbers behind this confined space risk assessment
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The MapTrack confined space risk assessment contains 17 checks across 3 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack Confined space risk assessment, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/confined-space-risk-assessment
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). Confined space risk assessment [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/confined-space-risk-assessment
Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/templates/confined-space-risk-assessment.
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<div style="max-width:480px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #E5E7EB;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;background:#ffffff;">
<p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
<p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">Confined space risk assessment</p>
<ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Confined space identification: space name, asset ID, type (tank, pit, sewer, vessel, silo, duct), location and physical dimensions.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Assessment details: date, competent assessor name, qualifications, scope of work to be performed inside the space.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Previous entry history: records of prior entries, known hazards, previous atmospheric test results and any incidents.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Atmospheric hazards: potential for oxygen deficiency or enrichment, flammable gases or vapours (LEL), toxic gases (CO, H2S, NH3, SO2), airborne dust or particulates.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Physical hazards: engulfment risk from stored materials, entrapment from internal configuration, mechanical or electrical energy sources, temperature extremes, noise, poor lighting.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Biological hazards: bacterial or viral contamination, vermin, sewage or organic decomposition.</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/confined-space-risk-assessment" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Confined space risk assessment</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>Free to reuse, including commercially. This template is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Copy it, adapt it, put it on your own site or in your own docs. All we ask is that you credit MapTrack with a link back to this page. The snippet above already includes that credit, so if you use it as-is you’re covered.
About the author
Co-Founder & Commercial Director
Jarrod has spent over a decade in technology consulting and asset management, including roles at Accenture (mining and heavy industry) and CGI as an Asset Management Consultant. He co-founded MapTrack and built and scaled its original platform, then rebuilt it with Lachlan and Alex from thousands of customer conversations and 300+ user research sessions with field teams. His consulting background gives him deep insight into the operational and compliance challenges facing asset-intensive Australian businesses.
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