Must-Have Confined Space Equipment for Safe Operations

Key Takeaways

• Proper confined space equipment is essential for workers and should not be considered optional, as it can prevent disasters and ensure safety.

• The type of equipment required for safe entry and rescue depends on the specific hazards in a confined space.

• Selecting safety-certified equipment that meets OSHA and ANSI standards is essential to protect workers and comply with legal requirements.

• New innovations like smart harnesses, robots, and drones improve hazard detection, worker safety, and emergency response in confined spaces.

I recently read an OSHA news release about an investigation into the deaths of two workers who lost their lives inside a sewer manhole. The first worker went down to conduct testing and didn’t come back up. The second, thinking it was a simple rescue, followed him down, only to meet the same fate. Both were found unconscious at the bottom, victims of toxic gas exposure.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation determined that the contractor failed to meet multiple confined space safety requirements. There was no rescue equipment for confined space in place, workers hadn’t been trained on confined space entry procedures, and proper planning had been completely overlooked.

Unfortunately, incidents like this happen far too often. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 126 cases of inhalation of a harmful substance in a confined space and 39 cases of oxygen depletion from 2011 to 2018. These deaths indicate that workers likely entered confined spaces without adequate gas detection, ventilation, or proper PPE, all critical components of a confined space kit designed to prevent such incidents.

Equipment Selection Criteria

Not all confined spaces are the same, so one-size-fits-all safety gear doesn’t exist. The equipment you need depends on the hazards present. Here’s what to consider when selecting confined space equipment:

• • Identify Specific Hazards: Assess risks such as toxic gases, oxygen depletion, engulfment, or fall hazards to determine the necessary equipment.

  • Compliance with Safety Standards: Ensure all equipment meets OSHA and ANSI to guarantee worker safety and legal compliance.

  • Reliability and Manufacturer Reputation: Choose equipment from well-known, trusted brands with CSA certifications for proven durability and performance.

  • Compatibility with Confined Space Type: Select equipment designed for the specific entry type, whether vertical, horizontal, or restricted spaces.

Whether it's a manhole, tunnel, or storage tank, confined space equipment must be designed to protect workers, control entry, and provide a safe means of rescue. To ensure maximum safety, the equipment should be able to:

• • Secure entry and exit points to prevent unauthorized access.

  • Prevent falls by keeping non-workers from accidentally entering the confined space.

  • Ensure proper ventilation to remove harmful gases and maintain safe oxygen levels.

  • Facilitate safe entry and retrieval with harnesses, retrieval systems, and other access equipment.

Now, let’s break down the must-have confined space entry equipment for a safe operation.

Confined Space Harness

3M™ DBI-SALA® ExoFit™ X300 Safety Harness

A confined space harness is a critical component of confined space entry equipment, providing secure attachment points for retrieval systems and fall protection. The 3M™ DBI-SALA® ExoFit™ X300 is designed for comfort, durability, and ease of movement, making it ideal for confined space rescue equipment setups.

Built with advanced hardware and padding, this harness minimizes strain during extended wear while maintaining a secure fit in high-risk environments. Its quick-connect buckles and trauma-reducing design allow for fast adjustments and added protection in fall arrest situations.

Key Features:

• • Revolved vertical torso adjusters

  • Hybrid comfort padding

  • Tech-Lite™ aluminum d-rings

  • Auto-locking quick-connect buckles

Confined Space Cover

TRADESAFE Confined Space Cover

I’ve seen too many worksites where confined space covers are either missing or poorly secured, usually because someone thought it wasn’t a big deal. A proper confined space cover is essential for securing entry points, preventing unauthorized access, and protecting workers from accidental falls. 

The TRADESAFE Confined Space Cover is built for heavy-duty industrial use, offering a high-visibility, durable barrier for manholes, pits, and other confined space openings. Made from industrial-grade materials, it withstands harsh environments while providing a clear warning to workers and bystanders. Its distinct triangle shape, bold red color, and clear "Danger Confined Space No Entry Without Permit" warning make it an effective tool for alerting workers and bystanders to confined space dangers.

Key Features:

• • Rugged 19” polyester confined space cover

  • Locks out manholes, tanks, silos, tunnels, and more

  • High-visibility triangle shape & red color indicate danger

  • 40" resilient straps, each equipped with 13 solid grommets

Confined Space Kit

VEVOR Confined Space Tripod Kit

A confined space retrieval system is a confined space kit essential for safe entry and emergency rescue, allowing workers to be securely lowered and lifted from hazardous spaces. The VEVOR Confined Space Tripod Kit is a heavy-duty, high-capacity system designed with 7-foot adjustable legs, a 98-foot cable, and a 1,800-lb winch to handle demanding rescue and retrieval operations. This all-in-one kit includes a full-body harness and a storage bag, making it a complete solution for confined space rescue equipment. Built for durability and stability, it provides strong anchoring points for smooth and secure lifting.

Key Features:

• • 1,800-lb capacity winch with a 98-foot steel cable

  • Sturdy aluminum legs with secure locking mechanisms

  • Includes a full-body harness and a storage bag

  • Supports workers and confined space entry equipment

Gas Detectors

Forensics Detectors USA NIST Calibrated 4 Gas Monitor

A gas detector is a critical piece of confined space monitoring equipment, helping workers detect toxic gases, oxygen levels, and explosive hazards before entering a confined space. The Forensics Detectors Basic 4 Gas Detector is a compact, highly accurate device that measures oxygen (O₂), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and combustible gases (LEL).

With USA NIST calibration, it delivers precise and reliable readings according to standards. Its less than 30-second response time ensures workers receive real-time alerts, allowing them to evacuate, activate ventilation, or use respiratory protection immediately.

Key Features:

• • Monitors O₂, CO, H₂S, and LEL

  • USA NIST-Calibrated for high-accuracy readings

  • Compact, shock-resistant casing with a clear LCD display

  • Less than 30-second response time

Confined Space Ventilation System

Global Industrial 8" Confined Space Blower Fan

Without proper airflow, toxic gases accumulate, oxygen levels drop, and workers suffocate before they even realize what’s happening. A confined space ventilation system is essential for removing toxic gases, supplying fresh air, and maintaining safe oxygen levels in hazardous work areas. 

The Global Industrial 8" Confined Space Blower Fan delivers 1,000 CFM of airflow with a durable rotomold plastic housing, making it lightweight yet strong enough for industrial use. Designed with a 25-foot flexible duct, it directs air deep into confined spaces, improving air circulation for workers inside. With its 1/3 HP motor, this confined space entry equipment provides reliable ventilation for construction, utility, and rescue operations.

Key Features:

• • High-powered airflow

  • Durable rotomolded plastic housing

  • 25-foot flexible duct

  • Consistent, high-performance ventilation

Communication and Lighting

Midland GXT1000VP4 - 50 Channel GMRS Two-Way Radio

Confined spaces are dark and isolating, and losing communication means you’re completely on your own in a hazardous environment. That’s why a reliable two-way radio, like the Midland GXT1000VP4, is essential. With 50 GMRS channels and long-range capabilities, it keeps teams connected even in obstructed or underground spaces, where signals often struggle to get through. 

Moreover, its NOAA weather alerts keep workers informed in unpredictable conditions, while the hands-free operation allows easy communication when both hands are needed for confined space tasks.

Key Features:

• • 50 GMRS channels with long-range coverage

  • Waterproof and durable design

  • NOAA weather alerts

  • Hands-free operation (VOX Mode)

Dialight SafeSite® LED Area Light

Proper lighting in confined space operations is just as important as ventilation, helping workers see hazards clearly while working in low-visibility environments. The Dialight SafeSite® LED Area Light is a durable, high-output lighting solution designed for hazardous locations, providing bright, reliable illumination in confined spaces. Built with impact-resistant construction and energy-efficient LEDs, it withstands harsh industrial conditions while reducing maintenance needs. Whether used in tunnels, tanks, or underground vaults, this light enhances worker safety and efficiency in confined space operations.

Key Features:

• • High-output LED illumination

  • Built to handle harsh industrial environments 

  • Energy-efficient LEDs

  • Certified for hazardous locations

Confined Space PPE

The incident involving the two workers who died inside a sewer manhole is a harsh reminder of why proper PPE is not optional. Yet, many still underestimate its importance, assuming a quick task doesn’t warrant full protection—until an emergency proves otherwise.

Here’s what every worker entering a permit required confined space must wear and the key factors to consider when selecting each:

1. Hard Hat: Protects against falling objects and head impacts in confined spaces like tanks, tunnels, and trenches. Choose a Class E hard hat for electrical protection or one with a chin strap for overhead work.

2. Gloves: Shields hands from chemical exposure, abrasions, and punctures in confined environments. Pick gloves based on hazards—chemical-resistant for handling hazardous substances, cut-resistant for sharp materials.

3. Safety Glasses or Goggles: Protects eyes from dust, debris, chemical splashes, and airborne particles. Use anti-fog, impact-resistant lenses (ANSI Z87.1 rated) for confined space conditions.

4. Steel-Toe Boots: Prevents foot injuries from falling objects, punctures, and slippery surfaces. Look for slip-resistant soles and metatarsal protection if working near heavy equipment.

5. Respiratory Protection: Prevents inhalation of toxic gases, dust, and oxygen-deficient air. Use air-purifying respirators (APRs) for known contaminants or SCBAs (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) for unknown atmospheres.

6. Full-Body Harness: Provides fall protection and connects to confined space rescue equipment for safe retrieval. Choose a harness with multiple D-rings for flexibility in vertical and horizontal entry. 

7. Hearing Protection: Reduces exposure to high noise levels from ventilation systems or heavy machinery. Select earplugs or earmuffs with the right Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) based on workplace noise levels.

Confined Space Equipment Innovations

Technology is reshaping confined space equipment. Now, advancements in confined space equipment are making work safer by improving gas detection, rescue systems, and real-time monitoring. Smart harnesses monitor worker movement, detect falls, and send automatic distress signals in emergencies. For pre-entry inspections, crawler robots navigate tight spaces to detect hazards like toxic gases and structural weaknesses before workers step inside.

Climber robots are built to scale vertical surfaces, performing inspections and ultrasonic testing in areas that would otherwise require hazardous manual climbs. Drones provide aerial assessments using high-resolution cameras and gas sensors, offering a quick and detailed evaluation of large or difficult-to-access spaces. By improving hazard detection, worker monitoring, and rescue capabilities, these innovations are making confined space operations safer and more efficient.

Confined Space Equipment FAQs

Is a harness required for confined space entry?

Yes, a full-body harness is required when a confined space retrieval system is used for emergency rescue or fall protection. It provides a secure connection to winches, lifelines, and anchor points for safe entry and exit.

What are the 5 items of safety equipment required for enclosed space entry?

The five essential pieces of confined space entry equipment include a full-body harness, gas detector, ventilation system, retrieval system, and PPE (such as gloves, hard hats, and respirators). These help protect against toxic gases, oxygen depletion, falls, and other confined space hazards.

What is the best protection against confined space hazards?

A combination of gas detection, ventilation, PPE, and a well-planned rescue system is the best defense against confined space hazards. Workers must also be properly trained in hazard assessment, emergency response, and safe entry procedures.

Do you have to wear a hard hat in confined space?

Yes, a hard hat is required in confined spaces where there is a risk of falling objects, head impact, or overhead hazards. OSHA mandates head protection in work areas with potential injury risks.

Can I use SCBA for confined space work?

Yes, an SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) is used in confined spaces with toxic gases or oxygen-deficient atmospheres. It provides a clean air supply, making it essential for hazardous environments where ventilation alone is not enough.

TRADESAFE is a leader in providing premium industrial safety solutions, including Lockout Tagout Devices, Eyewash Stations, Absorbents, and more; all precision-engineered to meet and exceed rigorous safety standards.