New Depths of Health and Safety in Confined Spaces
How much production time did your team lose last month managing confined space work?
For mining operations, every minute spent completing confined space documentation is a minute lost in production. Most mining operations face daily challenges with:
- Confined space permits that are hard to read in dusty conditions
- Safety certifications buried in filing cabinets
- Rescue plans that take too long to create and verify
- Pre-op checks that leave you wondering if anything was missed
These issues aren’t just about safety. They can also slow down production and use up valuable resources. While some teams continue to rely on paper-based systems or outside specialists, many are now turning to digital solutions to make these processes more efficient.
In this post, we’ll share how one mining team transformed their confined space management with sofvie, achieving a reported 90% reduction in administrative time, while aligning with Ontario’s legal requirements for confined spaces. You’ll see how sofvie’s platform helps you meet the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and O. Reg. 632/05: Confined Spaces.
Essential Components of Confined Space Safety Management:
To manage confined space work effectively and ensure compliance, Ontario mining operations are required to follow strict regulations. All confined space work in Ontario mines must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and O. Reg. 632/05: Confined Spaces, which outlines requirements for a written confined space program, training, entry permits, recordkeeping, hazard assessments, atmospheric testing, and rescue planning. Below, we show how sofvie supports these requirements and streamlines the entire process.
These are not just best practices, they are legal obligations for Ontario mining operations.
The following five strategies were implemented by a new Sofvie client to improve confined space safety, streamline processes, and meet regulatory standards.
Training and Certification Management:
Regulatory Requirement: All workers entering a confined space must receive adequate, documented training in hazard recognition and safe work practices. Training records must be kept up to date and available for inspection (O. Reg. 632/05, ss. 8–9)
- Challenge: Paper-based tracking leads to expired certifications and compliance risks
- Sofvie’s Impact: sofvie centralizes training records, sends automated renewal reminders, and ensures documentation is always audit-ready, simplifying compliance
- Outcome: 90% reduction in administrative time
Hot Work Permit Management:
Regulatory Requirement: A separate entry permit must be issued each time work is completed in a confined space, including location, hazards, control measures, required equipment, and test results. Permits must be readily available during the work (O. Reg. 632/05, s. 10)
- Challenge: Incomplete, illegible forms in challenging environments
- Sofvie’s Impact: Standardized digital forms with required fields, ensuring complete documentation
- Outcome: Consistent data collection that is legible and easy to retrieve for audits
Pre-Op Checks Safety:
Regulatory Requirement: A competent person must conduct and document a hazard assessment for each confined space, and atmospheric testing must be performed before and during entry, with results recorded (O. Reg. 632/05, ss. 6, 18)
- Current Challenge: Limited paper space forcing compromised documentation
- Sofvie’s Impact: Digital forms with unlimited space and file (photo, video, PDF) integration
- Outcome: Complete record-keeping, enhanced legal compliance
Rescue Planning:
Regulatory Requirement: Written on-site rescue procedures must be developed and ready for immediate implementation before any worker enters a confined space, with adequate rescue equipment and trained personnel available (O. Reg. 632/05, s. 11)
- Current Challenge: Manual creation with risk of missed steps
- Sofvie’s Impact: Template-based digital planning and visual documentation make it easy to create, update, and share rescue plans
- Outcome: Faster creation, more reliable emergency protocols
Record Management:
Regulatory Requirement: Employers must retain all assessments, plans, entry permits, training records, and test results for at least one year or until the two most recent records are available (O. Reg. 632/05, s. 21)
- Current Challenge: Documents scattered across sites, servers, and filing cabinets
- Sofvie’s Impact: A centralized digital system ensures all records are securely stored, easy to retrieve, and ready for audits
- Outcome: Easy data retrieval, trend analysis for preventive controls
Results from the Front Line:
This testimonial comes from a first-time confined space worker using sofvie for this project. It highlights how switching from paper to digital forms not only made their job easier, but also improved accuracy, safety, and organization on site
Business Impact:
By aligning confined space management with Ontario’s regulations and digitizing key safety processes, this mining company achieved:
- Significant time savings: Administrative time was reduced by 90%, freeing up staff for higher-value tasks
- Stronger compliance: All documentation is audit-ready and meets O. Reg. 632/05 requirements
- Improved data quality: Digital records ensure accuracy and make trend analysis and preventive action possible
- A safer, more engaged workforce: Standardized processes and real-time reporting help build a proactive safety culture
These results represent safer teams, smoother operations, and a competitive edge for any mining company ready to enhance their approach to confined space safety.
TRANSFORM YOUR CONFINED SPACE OPERATIONS!
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✓ Developed with Frontline Input
✓ Tested in Mining Operations
✓ Backed by Industry Experience
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