By Chris Coetzee, OHSS Consulting
In the plumbing trade, some of the most dangerous work isn’t done on a roof or at a workbench, it’s done in spaces that weren’t designed for human beings. For a South African plumber, a ‘confined’ space could be a pump station wet well, a deep sewer manhole, a crawl space under a suspended floor or even a large-diameter storm-water pipe.
Your primary responsibility is to ensure that you and your team go
home at the end of the shift.
Supplied by IOPSA: Confined Space Safety
The danger of these spaces is often invisible. You can’t always smell an oxygen deficiency, and you can’t always see a buildup of methane. While visiting sites around South Africa, we’ve seen that the ‘it’ll only take a minute’ mindset is the leading cause of fatalities in the trade. This article breaks down the legal requirements and life-saving protocols for working where the air isn’t guaranteed.
The legal definition: GSR Regulation 5
While the Physical Agents Regulations (2024) now govern things like heat and cold, General Safety Regulation 5 remains the gold standard for confined space entry in South Africa.
According to the law, a ‘confined space’ is an enclosed, restricted or limited space where:
- A hazardous substance (gas, vapour, dust or fumes) may accumulate
- An oxygen-deficient atmosphere (less than 20% by volume) may occur
The legal mandate: You cannot permit any person to enter a confined space until the air has been tested and evaluated by a competent person who has certified in writing that the space is safe.
If the air is unsafe and cannot be purged, entry is strictly prohibited unless the worker is using self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and a safety harness.
The atmospheric threat: Gases and “dead air”
In the South African sewage system, the three most common atmospheric killers are:
• Hydrogen sulphide: Created by decomposing organic matter. At low levels, it smells like rotten eggs. At high levels, it kills your sense of smell instantly, leading you to believe the danger has passed just before it shuts down your respiratory system.
• Methane: Highly explosive and lighter than air. It doesn’t just pose a fire risk; it displaces oxygen, leading to rapid asphyxiation.
• Carbon monoxide: Often introduced by running a petrol pump or generator too close to the opening of a trench or manhole.
Pro-tip: Never rely on your nose. A multi-gas detector is as essential as your pipe wrench. If the alarm sounds, you exit immediately, no exceptions.
The physical risks: Engulfment and entrapment
Confined spaces aren’t just about the air. Plumbers face the very real risk of engulfment.
• Liquid surges: A sudden rainstorm or a pump station failure can turn a dry manhole into a drowning trap in seconds.
• Mechanical hazards: Many confined spaces contain agitators, impellers or valves. Under the General Safety Regulations, all communicating pipes and ducts must be ‘isolated’ (blanked off or locked out) before entry to ensure no hazardous liquid or gas can enter the space while a plumber is inside.
The rescue paradox: Why 60% of victims are rescuers
One of the most tragic statistics in OHS is that more than half of confined space fatalities are the people who go in to save a collapsed colleague. They see their buddy down, panic and jump in, only to be overcome by the same gas. Your primary responsibility is to ensure that you and your team go home at the end of the shift.
The protocol:
• The attendant (top-man): You must have at least one person trained in resuscitation stationed outside the entrance. Their only job is to monitor the person inside. They never enter the space to perform a rescue unless a third person has arrived to take their place.
• The lifeline: Every person entering a deep confined space must wear a full-body harness attached to a mechanical recovery winch (tripod). This allows the top-man to crank the victim out of the hole without ever having to step inside the danger zone.
Training and PTW
Working in a confined space is not a standard plumbing task. It requires a specific Permit to Work (PTW). This document acts as a checklist:
• Has the gas been tested?
• Is the ventilation fan running?
• Is the rescue tripod set up?
• Are the workers trained?
Under the Physical Agents Regulations (2024), employers must also ensure that workers are “comprehensively informed, instructed and trained” on the specific nature of the hazards they face. If your team hasn’t had a confined space induction in the last 24 months, you are likely in breach of the new OHS requirements.
Preparation: The plumbing checklist
Before you crack that manhole cover, follow these steps:
• Purge and ventilate: Use a blower to force fresh air into the bottom of the space for at least 15 minutes before testing the air.
• Test high, middle and low: Some gases are heavy and sit on the floor, others are light and hang at the top. Test the entire column of air.
• Continuous monitoring: Don’t just test once. Leave the gas monitor on and clipped to the worker’s ‘breathing zone’ (near the collar) for the duration of the job.
Conclusion: Respect the space
Confined spaces are unforgiving. They don’t give you a second chance. As a plumbing professional, your job is to bring technical excellence to the infrastructure of South Africa, but your primary responsibility is to ensure that you and your team go home at the end of the shift.
Respect the regulations, trust your gas monitor and never ever enter a space without a recovery plan. Safety isn’t just about avoiding a fine, it’s about respecting the silent, invisible power of the belly of the beast.
