Who is qualified to conduct a confined space risk assessment under AS 2865?

AS 2865:2009 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.

Does a new risk assessment need to be done for every single entry?

Not 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.

What atmospheric readings would prevent entry into a confined space?

Entry 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 exceeds its workplace exposure standard (e.g. CO above 30 ppm TWA or H2S above 10 ppm TWA). These thresholds are specified in AS 2865:2009 and the WHS Regulations. If initial readings are outside acceptable limits, additional ventilation and retesting are required before entry.

What is the difference between a confined space risk assessment and an entry permit?

The 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.

How does this template align with AS 2865:2009 Appendix B?

This template follows the structure recommended in AS 2865:2009 Appendix B (informative), which provides a model risk assessment format covering space identification, hazard identification (atmospheric, physical, biological), risk evaluation using a likelihood and consequence matrix, control measures aligned to the hierarchy of controls, atmospheric monitoring requirements and rescue planning. The template has been adapted for practical field use while retaining all required elements.

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Free confined space risk assessment template aligned to AS 2865:2009. Covers atmospheric hazards, engulfment, isolation, rescue planning. Download now.

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 3 May 2026

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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 AS 2865:2009 and WHS Regulations 2017 Part 4.3, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure that a risk assessment is carried out by a competent person before work in a confined space begins. 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 have one of the highest fatality rates of any workplace activity in Australia, in part because would-be rescuers often 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 follows the risk assessment structure recommended in AS 2865:2009 Appendix B and 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.
Regulatory compliance: meet the mandatory risk assessment requirement under WHS Regulations 2017 Part 4.3 and align with AS 2865:2009.
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.

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Maintain an auditable safety register that satisfies WHS regulator requests.
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What to include in a confined space risk assessment

This confined space risk assessment covers 11 key areas:

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%, CO below 30 ppm, H2S below 10 ppm), 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.

Frequently asked questions

Who is qualified to conduct a confined space risk assessment under AS 2865?: AS 2865:2009 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.
Does a new risk assessment need to be done for every single entry?: Not 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.
What atmospheric readings would prevent entry into a confined space?: Entry 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 exceeds its workplace exposure standard (e.g. CO above 30 ppm TWA or H2S above 10 ppm TWA). These thresholds are specified in AS 2865:2009 and the WHS Regulations. If initial readings are outside acceptable limits, additional ventilation and retesting are required before entry.
What is the difference between a confined space risk assessment and an entry permit?: The 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.
How does this template align with AS 2865:2009 Appendix B?: This template follows the structure recommended in AS 2865:2009 Appendix B (informative), which provides a model risk assessment format covering space identification, hazard identification (atmospheric, physical, biological), risk evaluation using a likelihood and consequence matrix, control measures aligned to the hierarchy of controls, atmospheric monitoring requirements and rescue planning. The template has been adapted for practical field use while retaining all required elements.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:

AS 2865:2009 - Confined spaces
WHS Regulations 2017 Chapter 4 Part 4.3 - Confined spaces
WHS Act 2011 s 19 - Primary duty of care
AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 - Risk management guidelines

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