What is typically the first step to ensure safety when working in a confined space?

The first step to ensure safety when working in a confined space is assessing oxygen levels. This is critical because many confined spaces can have insufficient oxygen or hazardous gases, which pose serious risks to workers’ health. Ensuring that there are adequate oxygen levels is fundamental to preventing asphyxiation or other health hazards that could arise from poor air quality.

Once oxygen levels are confirmed to be safe, other safety measures can be addressed, such as using protective equipment, developing a rescue plan, and calculating space volume. These steps are important but are contingent upon having a safe breathing atmosphere to begin with. Therefore, assessing oxygen levels is the initial and essential action that lays the groundwork for any further safety protocols in confined space work.