Confined spaces are defined by OSHA as spaces large enough for a worker to enter, with limited means of entry and exit, and not designed for continuous occupancy. Examples include tanks, silos, manholes, and tunnels. Between 2011 and 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recorded 1,030 fatal injuries related to confined spaces in the United States. This accounts for about 2% of all workplace fatalities during this period, highlighting the disproportionate danger these spaces present relative to their prevalence in the workforce causes of Fatalities in Confined Spaces.
56%
Oxygen Deficiency and Toxic Atmospheres
11%
Engulfment Hazards
20%
Physical Hazards
88%
Interestingly, 88% of victims were male, reflecting the gender imbalance in industries where confined spaces are shared. Furthermore, workers aged 35–44 accounted for the highest proportion of fatalities (23%), followed by those aged 25–34 (22%).
61%
$1.6 million
Preventing Tragedies: What the Numbers Tell Us
42%
Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS)
35%
Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
85%
Training and Education
Recent Case Studies
$150,000.
Houston Trench Collapse (March 2024)
Oxygen Deficiency
Chemical Tank Asphyxiation In Florida
Global Perspective
40%
1,200
68%
30%