A permit required confined space is an area not meant for human occupancy, limited egress or ingress, and a health hazard is identified.

Some hazards are obvious such as a chemical such as toluene.  Keep in mind you might bring in a hazard such as a cleaning chemical that may react or change the atmosphere in the confined space.  

Other hazards are not so obvious such as a lack of oxygen.  You can't see it or smell it.  Steel water tanks can rust leaving the oxygen lower than normal through the oxidation process.  Or perhaps something changed around the confined space that introduced a hazard.

If you have permit required confined spaces, on site testing is involved and the permit is an in-house document that verifies that appropriate steps were taken to assure safety.  It really does not take that long, but its well worth it.

VEC can assess your current program or develop a confined space entry program for your organization.  Please contact us for more information