Confined Space Practice Test – Printable Questions and Answers

50 confined space questions on hazards, oxygen limits, entry permits, gas testing, hot work, ventilation, lockout, attendants and rescue, with a separate answer key. Free.

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Confined space awareness tests in Canada are set by your employer or trainer, so the number of questions varies, but the topics come from the same regulations everywhere. This sheet gives you 50 questions to work through on paper, mixed across our eleven topics: recognizing confined spaces, atmospheric hazards, the program and plan, entry permits, gas testing, flammable atmospheres and hot work, ventilation, isolation and lockout, the attendant, rescue, and training and records.

We do not copy any trainer's test. Every question is written from Ontario's Confined Spaces Regulation and guideline, WorkSafeBC's Part 9 and CCOHS fact sheets, and the answer key on the last pages explains each answer. Learn the core numbers: 19.5 to 23 per cent oxygen, 25, 10 and 5 per cent of the LEL for inspection, cold work and hot work, and B.C.'s 20-minute testing window. Print it, or choose Save as PDF to keep it on your phone.

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1.What must a competent person check before each shift while a permit is in use?
1. That the client has paid for the work done so far
2. That every entrant has had lunch and a coffee break
3. That the entry permit still complies with the plan
4. That the space has been repainted since the last shift
2.About how much oxygen does normal outdoor air contain?
1. About 78 per cent
2. About 21 per cent
3. About 16 per cent
4. About 50 per cent
3.Outside construction projects, who must the employer consult when developing the confined space program?
1. The joint health and safety committee or the representative
2. Only the workers who volunteered for confined space entries
3. The local fire department's public education office
4. The supplier who sold the gas monitors and ventilation fans
4.What should be the first question before planning a confined space entry?
1. Is the space cooler than the outside air today?
2. How fast can the job be finished once inside?
3. Can the work be done without entering the space?
4. Which worker is the smallest and can fit best?
5.A new worker has finished the general course but has little experience. What does the guideline suggest?
1. Keep the new worker away from all training sessions
2. Send the new worker in alone to build confidence
3. Make the new worker the attendant on the first day
4. Team the new worker with more experienced workers
6.What is blanking?
1. Painting a pipe white so it is easy to see from the hatch
2. Inserting a solid metal plate between two pipe flanges
3. Turning a valve handle a quarter turn closed
4. Wrapping a pipe in tape to stop small leaks
7.What is required of the rescue equipment named in the plan?
1. Readily available, suitable for the space, and inspected
2. Shared with other sites, wherever it is needed
3. Bought new for each entry and thrown away after
4. Stored at head office, to keep it safe, clean and dry
8.For cold work in Ontario, flammable gas must be kept below what level?
1. 25 per cent of the LEL
2. 10 per cent of the LEL
3. 50 per cent of the LEL
4. 5 per cent of the UEL
9.What should a good attendant be able to recognize in entrants?
1. How much each tool inside the space costs to replace
2. Whether entrants are working fast enough to finish the job on time
3. Which entrant is the most senior worker on the crew
4. Signs, symptoms and behaviour changes caused by the space's hazards
10.Ideally, when should a gas monitor be calibrated or bump-tested?
1. Never, since monitors calibrate themselves
2. Only after it has been dropped in water or mud
3. Once, when the monitor is first bought new
4. Just before each use, or as the manufacturer directs
11.If mechanical ventilation is needed to keep the air safe, what else does Ontario require?
1. A spare fan stored in the office down the hall
2. A warning system and exit procedure for ventilation failure
3. Nothing else, as long as the fan is fairly new
4. A second attendant who stands inside the space with the workers
12.What is the purpose of the entry permit?
1. To replace the hazard assessment and the written plan
2. To prove the job was billed to the customer at the right rate
3. To record who is allowed to drive company vehicles
4. To tell workers the hazards and controls before anyone enters
13.What does "escape unaided" mean in Ontario's confined space rules?
1. Getting out within 30 seconds of hearing any alarm sound inside
2. Getting out without a respirator, equipment or another person's help
3. Getting out after the attendant has opened the hatch for you
4. Getting out through any opening other than the main entry
14.How does a "competent person" differ from a person with adequate knowledge, training and experience?
1. There is no difference; the two terms mean exactly the same thing
2. A competent person can also organize the work and knows the law
3. A competent person must hold a university engineering degree
4. A competent person only needs to be the most senior worker present
15.Which of these is a typical example of a confined space?
1. A staffed control room with air handling
2. A school classroom with large windows
3. A storage tank entered through a manhole
4. An office boardroom
16.Who must receive confined space training in Ontario?
1. Every worker who enters or does related work
2. Only workers with less than one year of service
3. Only the attendant, since others are supervised
4. Only supervisors who sign the entry permits
17.In B.C., what is a blind?
1. A solid plate on the end of a pipe that has been disconnected
2. A warning sign placed at the entrance to the space
3. A valve that cannot be seen from outside the space
4. A curtain hung across the entrance to keep the light out of it
18.Why must the size of the space's openings be considered when choosing rescue equipment?
1. Larger openings require more expensive equipment to be purchased
2. Small openings mean that no rescue equipment is needed at all
3. Opening size only matters for the paperwork, not the rescue
4. Equipment and rescuers must fit through the entry and exit points
19.When may a worker enter a space containing airborne combustible dust at a level that could explode?
1. Any time, if the worker only uses hand tools and moves slowly
2. Not at all, unless it is inerted and other conditions are met
3. Any time, as long as the worker wears a dust mask and safety glasses
4. Only during the day, when lighting inside is better for seeing
20.May an attendant take on other tasks while monitoring entrants?
1. Yes, if the entrants are experienced and know the space
2. No, not if they would interfere with monitoring
3. Yes, as long as the radio is turned on
4. Yes, any task close to the entrance
21.Which three things are typically tested before confined space entry?
1. Temperature, humidity and noise levels only
2. Oxygen level, flammable gases and toxic gases
3. Wind speed, rainfall and time of day
4. Lighting, floor slope and the width of the door
22.Where should the use of mechanical ventilation be noted?
1. On the entry permit
2. On the fan's box
3. In a personal diary
4. Nowhere at all
23.Must every brief step out of the space to grab a nearby tool be logged as an exit?
1. No; the method of recording is set in the employer's program
2. No, because entries and exits are never recorded at all
3. Yes, and the whole permit must be rewritten each time
4. Yes, and the worker must also be re-checked by a doctor each time
24.What do simple asphyxiants such as nitrogen, argon and carbon dioxide do?
1. Add oxygen to the air and make breathing easier
2. Burn the skin on contact like a strong acid would
3. Displace oxygen, so a person can collapse within minutes
4. Make a strong smell that warns everyone nearby
25.How often should a confined space program be reviewed, at minimum?
1. Every five years, unless a worker is seriously hurt
2. Only when the workplace changes its ownership
3. Only once, when it is first written by the employer
4. At least once a year, and whenever circumstances change
26.Unless a competent person has decided otherwise after a risk assessment, how should a confined space be treated?
1. As safe if it was safe yesterday
2. As safe once the lid is open
3. As hazardous
4. As safe if it smells normal
27.Does Ontario certify confined space trainers or training programs?
1. Yes; certificates must be renewed at a ServiceOntario office
2. Yes; workers must pass a government confined space exam
3. Yes; only ministry-certified trainers may teach the course
4. No; the employer must make sure the training is adequate
28.How does Ontario's regulation first require workers to be protected from hazardous substances entering through piping?
1. By putting a warning sign on the pipe outside
2. By asking the plant not to run that line today
3. By blanking or disconnecting the piping
4. By closing one valve and hoping it holds tight
29.May an Ontario employer contract out confined space rescue services?
1. No, rescue must always be done by the entrants' own supervisor
2. Yes, if the response is timely; the employer stays responsible
3. Only if the rescue company is located in the same building
4. Yes, and then the employer has no further duties for rescue
30.For inspection work only, with no ignition source, the flammable gas level must be below what?
1. 100 per cent of the lower explosive limit
2. 50 per cent of the lower explosive limit
3. 25 per cent of the lower explosive limit
4. 1 per cent of the upper explosive limit
31.Which task is part of the attendant's assistance role in Ontario's guideline?
1. Passing in fresh-air packs and other protective equipment
2. Doing the hot work inside so the entrants do not have to
3. Signing the workers' timesheets at the end of the day
4. Moving the company vehicles parked near the hatch
32.In Ontario, who performs atmospheric tests in a confined space?
1. A ministry inspector, who must attend every confined space entry in person
2. The first worker to enter, judging by how the air inside the space smells
3. A person the employer appoints with adequate knowledge, training and experience
4. Any worker who happens to be nearby with a gas monitor
33.Ventilation of a space is not practical for technical reasons. What must entrants use in Ontario?
1. Only a paper dust mask, as long as they stay inside for under an hour
2. Respiratory protection, rescue-locating equipment and other needed gear
3. Only a radio, so that they can describe the smell to the attendant
4. Nothing extra, since the space is exempt when fans cannot be used
34.Which atmospheric information goes on the entry permit?
1. The results of the atmospheric tests
2. Only the brand of the gas monitor used
3. Only a note saying the air smelled fine
4. Nothing; test results are kept secret
35.A steel tank has been sealed for months and its walls are rusting. What hazard may have developed?
1. Explosive dust, because rust floats in the air
2. No hazard, because rust is a harmless solid
3. Oxygen enrichment, because rusting releases oxygen
4. Oxygen deficiency, because rusting uses up oxygen
36.How often must the hazard assessment be reviewed in Ontario?
1. Only every ten years by an engineer
2. As often as needed to keep the plan adequate
3. Never, once it has been signed and dated by someone
4. Only when the space is painted again
37.Which feature is part of B.C.'s definition of a confined space but not Ontario's?
1. Limited or restricted entry or exit that may complicate rescue
2. Being large enough for a worker to enter and do the work
3. Not being designed or intended for continuous human occupancy
4. Being fully or partly enclosed on several sides of the space
38.What must the employer provide each worker who enters a confined space?
1. A bonus for each hour the worker spends inside the space
2. Adequate PPE, clothing and devices under the plan
3. A written promise that nothing will go wrong
4. A personal gas monitor bought by the worker
39.What is a double block and bleed system?
1. Two pipes joined with a hose so any leak bleeds into a drum
2. A blank plate fitted with two drain holes drilled through it
3. Two closed, locked-out valves with a vent locked open between them
4. One valve closed twice over to be sure it stays shut during the work
40.What breathing protection should rescuers entering a hazardous atmosphere use?
1. SCBA or a supplied-air respirator with an escape bottle
2. No respirator, if they move very quickly
3. A wet cloth held over the nose and mouth
4. A paper dust mask, which filters out most toxic gases
41.Why must pure oxygen never be used to "freshen" the air in a confined space?
1. It greatly increases the risk of fire and explosion
2. It is heavier than air and sinks to the floor
3. It makes gas monitors stop working properly inside
4. It is too expensive to buy for regular work
42.In B.C., how often must a standby person check on workers in a low hazard atmosphere?
1. Once at the start of the shift
2. Only when called by radio
3. At least every 2 hours
4. At least every 20 minutes
43.How must test results be recorded when continuous monitoring is used?
1. At adequate intervals set by the plan
2. Only if an alarm goes off during the work
3. Only at the end of the year
4. They never need to be recorded
44.What is the difference between purging and ventilating a confined space?
1. Purging adds pure oxygen to the space; ventilating removes all of the oxygen
2. Purging is done after the work ends; ventilating is only done before entry
3. There is no difference; both words describe opening the hatch for a while
4. Purging displaces contaminants; ventilating keeps fresh air flowing
45.Which item must an Ontario entry permit include?
1. The cost of the job to the client
2. The name of the attendant
3. The entrants' home phone numbers
4. The weather forecast for the week
46.Which hazard involves being buried or trapped by grain, sand or other bulk material?
1. Oxygen enrichment
2. Asphyxiation by gas
3. Thermal stress
4. Engulfment
47.Who must develop and implement the confined space plan?
1. The attendant on duty
2. The newest entrant
3. The equipment rental firm
4. A competent person
48.Roughly what share of confined space deaths are would-be rescuers?
1. About 25 per cent
2. About 5 per cent
3. About 60 per cent
4. Almost none
49.What does Ontario require for getting in and out of a confined space?
1. A ladder only for the first worker, then a jump down
2. An adequate means of entering and exiting for all entrants
3. A single rope for all entrants, tied to a nearby vehicle
4. No special means, as long as workers are fit and agile
50.Why should work outside a confined space be checked before entry?
1. Outside work is always noisier than inside work
2. Outside work can affect safety or air quality inside
3. Outside workers need to sign the inside entry permit
4. Outside work must stop for the whole day

Answer key with explanations

1. C — That the entry permit still complies with the plan
Section 10(3) says before each shift a competent person shall verify that the entry permit complies with the relevant plan.
Entry permits · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 4 Entry permits, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 10(3)
2. B — About 21 per cent
Normal air is about 21 % oxygen. B.C. describes clean respirable air as about 20.9 % oxygen. Most of the rest is nitrogen.
Atmospheric and other hazards · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 2 Atmospheric and other hazards, Guideline — oxygen scale
3. A — The joint health and safety committee or the representative
For workplaces that are not projects, the program is developed and maintained in consultation with the JHSC or health and safety representative, who also receives a copy.
Program, hazard assessment and plan · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 3 Program, hazard assessment and plan, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 5(3)
4. C — Can the work be done without entering the space?
CCOHS notes that in many fatal cases the work could have been done from outside. Elimination, avoiding entry altogether, is the most effective control.
What is a confined space · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 1 What is a confined space, CCOHS — Introduction
5. D — Team the new worker with more experienced workers
The guideline says one effective way to give a new worker adequate experience is to team them up with more experienced workers.
Training, access and records · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 11 Training, access and records, Guideline — Training
6. B — Inserting a solid metal plate between two pipe flanges
The guideline defines blanking as inserting a solid metal barrier, called a blank, between the flanges of two sections of pipe.
Isolation, lockout and engulfment · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 8 Isolation, lockout and engulfment, Guideline — Isolation
7. A — Readily available, suitable for the space, and inspected
Section 12(1) says the rescue equipment must be readily available, appropriate for entry into the space, and inspected by a qualified person, with the inspection recorded in writing.
Rescue and emergencies · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 10 Rescue and emergencies, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 12(1)
8. B — 10 per cent of the LEL
Cold work is allowed only if flammable gas or vapour is below 10 % of its lower explosive limit. Hot work needs below 5 %; inspection only, below 25 %.
Flammable atmospheres and hot work · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 6 Flammable atmospheres and hot work, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 19(4)
9. D — Signs, symptoms and behaviour changes caused by the space's hazards
CCOHS says the attendant understands the hazards and can recognize the signs, symptoms and behavioural effects entrants could experience, such as confusion from low oxygen.
The attendant (standby person) · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 9 The attendant, CCOHS — Program
10. D — Just before each use, or as the manufacturer directs
CCOHS says calibration including a bump test would ideally be done just before each use; otherwise follow the manufacturer's guidance on frequency.
Atmospheric testing · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 5 Atmospheric testing, CCOHS — Program
11. B — A warning system and exit procedure for ventilation failure
Section 20(3) requires an adequate warning system and exit procedure so workers know if ventilation fails and can get out safely.
Ventilation and purging · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 7 Ventilation and purging, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 20(3)
12. D — To tell workers the hazards and controls before anyone enters
The guideline says the permit communicates to workers the identified hazards and the controls in place before entry or related work.
Entry permits · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 4 Entry permits, Guideline — Entry permit
13. B — Getting out without a respirator, equipment or another person's help
The guideline explains that escape unaided means escaping without respiratory protection, emergency equipment or other devices, or other persons.
Atmospheric and other hazards · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 2 Atmospheric and other hazards, Guideline — atmospheric hazards
14. B — A competent person can also organize the work and knows the law
The guideline explains that a competent person, as defined in the OHSA, is also qualified to organize the work, knows the Act and regulations, and knows the dangers. It is needed for the plan and permit verification.
Program, hazard assessment and plan · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 3 Program, hazard assessment and plan, Guideline — Roles and responsibilities
15. C — A storage tank entered through a manhole
Storage tanks, vats, silos, boilers, sewers and similar vessels are not designed for continuous human occupancy and can contain atmospheric hazards. Control rooms, classrooms and offices are designed for people.
What is a confined space · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 1 What is a confined space, Guideline — Confined spaces
16. A — Every worker who enters or does related work
Every worker who enters a confined space or performs related work must get adequate training in hazard recognition and safe work practices, plus plan-specific training.
Training, access and records · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 11 Training, access and records, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 8(1)
17. A — A solid plate on the end of a pipe that has been disconnected
WorkSafeBC defines a blind as a solid plate installed at the end of a pipe that has been physically disconnected; a blank is installed across a pipe at a flange.
Isolation, lockout and engulfment · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 8 Isolation, lockout and engulfment, WorkSafeBC OHSR s. 9.1
18. D — Equipment and rescuers must fit through the entry and exit points
The guideline says it is of paramount importance that entry and exit dimensions are compatible with the rescue equipment and procedures.
Rescue and emergencies · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 10 Rescue and emergencies, Guideline — On-site rescue
19. B — Not at all, unless it is inerted and other conditions are met
Section 19(3) bars entry where airborne combustible dust may create an explosion hazard. The only exception is an inerted, continuously monitored space with respiratory and rescue equipment.
Flammable atmospheres and hot work · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 6 Flammable atmospheres and hot work, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 19(3)
20. B — No, not if they would interfere with monitoring
CCOHS says the attendant remains outside and does no other work that may interfere with the primary duty of monitoring the workers inside.
The attendant (standby person) · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 9 The attendant, CCOHS — Program
21. B — Oxygen level, flammable gases and toxic gases
CCOHS says testing is typically for oxygen (too much or too little), flammable or explosive gases, and toxic gases.
Atmospheric testing · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 5 Atmospheric testing, CCOHS — Atmospheric Testing
22. A — On the entry permit
CCOHS says the use of mechanical ventilation should be noted on the entry permit, with the other control measures.
Ventilation and purging · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 7 Ventilation and purging, CCOHS — Introduction
23. A — No; the method of recording is set in the employer's program
The guideline says the entry and exit record is not meant to require sign-in and sign-out for every minor exit; the employer's program sets how recording is done.
Entry permits · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 4 Entry permits, Guideline — Entry permit
24. C — Displace oxygen, so a person can collapse within minutes
CCOHS says simple asphyxiants displace oxygen in the air. As oxygen drops, symptoms progress to collapse, unconsciousness and death, which can happen within minutes.
Atmospheric and other hazards · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 2 Atmospheric and other hazards, CCOHS — Introduction
25. D — At least once a year, and whenever circumstances change
CCOHS recommends reviewing the program whenever there is a change in circumstances or at least annually, to find weaknesses and update it.
Program, hazard assessment and plan · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 3 Program, hazard assessment and plan, CCOHS — Program
26. C — As hazardous
CCOHS advises that all confined spaces should be considered hazardous unless a competent person has determined otherwise through a risk assessment. Smell or past conditions are not reliable.
What is a confined space · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 1 What is a confined space, CCOHS — Introduction
27. D — No; the employer must make sure the training is adequate
The guideline says there is no certification process for trainers, workers, programs or agencies; the employer, with the JHSC or representative, decides training and ensures it is adequate.
Training, access and records · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 11 Training, access and records, Guideline — Training
28. C — By blanking or disconnecting the piping
Section 14(a) requires blanking or disconnecting piping; other adequate means are allowed only if that is not technically practical.
Isolation, lockout and engulfment · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 8 Isolation, lockout and engulfment, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 14(a)
29. B — Yes, if the response is timely; the employer stays responsible
The guideline allows contracting out rescue, but it must ensure an adequate, timely response, and the employer keeps the duty to ensure rescuers are trained and protected.
Rescue and emergencies · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 10 Rescue and emergencies, Guideline — On-site rescue
30. C — 25 per cent of the lower explosive limit
Ontario allows inspection-only work producing no ignition source if flammable gas or vapour is below 25 % of its lower explosive limit, measured with a combustible gas instrument.
Flammable atmospheres and hot work · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 6 Flammable atmospheres and hot work, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 19(4)
31. A — Passing in fresh-air packs and other protective equipment
The guideline describes assistance as maintaining communication, calling for emergency rescue, and providing entrants with fresh-air packs and other personal protective equipment.
The attendant (standby person) · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 9 The attendant, Guideline — Roles and responsibilities
32. C — A person the employer appoints with adequate knowledge, training and experience
Section 18(1) requires the employer to appoint a person with adequate knowledge, training and experience to perform adequate tests before and while a worker is inside.
Atmospheric testing · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 5 Atmospheric testing, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 18(1)
33. B — Respiratory protection, rescue-locating equipment and other needed gear
If purging or ventilating is not practical for technical reasons, entrants must use adequate respiratory protective equipment, equipment allowing rescue from outside, and other necessary equipment, inspected beforehand.
Ventilation and purging · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 7 Ventilation and purging, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 20(4)
34. A — The results of the atmospheric tests
Atmospheric test results under section 18 are one of the required items on the permit, so everyone can see the conditions measured.
Entry permits · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 4 Entry permits, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 10(2)
35. D — Oxygen deficiency, because rusting uses up oxygen
The Ontario guideline gives rusting (oxidation) inside a space as an example of a reaction that consumes oxygen and can create an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
Atmospheric and other hazards · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 2 Atmospheric and other hazards, Guideline — sources of hazards
36. B — As often as needed to keep the plan adequate
Section 6(9) requires the employer to ensure the assessment is reviewed as often as necessary to ensure that the relevant plan remains adequate.
Program, hazard assessment and plan · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 3 Program, hazard assessment and plan, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 6(9)
37. A — Limited or restricted entry or exit that may complicate rescue
B.C.'s definition includes limited or restricted means of entry or exit that may complicate first aid, evacuation or rescue. Both provinces include enclosure and not being built for continuous occupancy.
What is a confined space · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 1 What is a confined space, WorkSafeBC OHSR s. 9.1
38. B — Adequate PPE, clothing and devices under the plan
Section 13 requires the employer to provide each entrant with adequate personal protective equipment, clothing and devices in accordance with the plan.
Training, access and records · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 11 Training, access and records, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 13
39. C — Two closed, locked-out valves with a vent locked open between them
B.C. defines double block and bleed as locking out a drain or vent in the open position between two locked-out closed valves. Ontario's guideline accepts it as an other adequate means.
Isolation, lockout and engulfment · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 8 Isolation, lockout and engulfment, WorkSafeBC OHSR s. 9.1
40. A — SCBA or a supplied-air respirator with an escape bottle
CCOHS says rescuers must not use the same air as the workers they are rescuing; wear self-contained breathing apparatus or a supplied-air respirator with an escape bottle.
Rescue and emergencies · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 10 Rescue and emergencies, CCOHS — Program
41. A — It greatly increases the risk of fire and explosion
CCOHS and the Ontario guideline both say never substitute oxygen for fresh air. Oxygen enrichment makes materials ignite more easily and burn faster.
Flammable atmospheres and hot work · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 6 Flammable atmospheres and hot work, CCOHS — Introduction
42. D — At least every 20 minutes
WorkSafeBC s. 9.34 requires a standby person who checks on the well-being of workers inside at least every 20 minutes and can summon rescue immediately.
The attendant (standby person) · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 9 The attendant, WorkSafeBC OHSR s. 9.34
43. A — At adequate intervals set by the plan
Every sample result must be recorded; with continuous monitoring, results are recorded at adequate intervals. The guideline says data logging alone does not replace this.
Atmospheric testing · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 5 Atmospheric testing, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 18(4)–(5)
44. D — Purging displaces contaminants; ventilating keeps fresh air flowing
The guideline explains that purging removes contaminants by displacement, and ventilation is the continuous mechanical supply of fresh air while work goes on.
Ventilation and purging · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 7 Ventilation and purging, Guideline — Ventilation and purging
45. B — The name of the attendant
The permit lists the location, the work, hazards and controls, the time period, the attendant's name, entries and exits, equipment for entry and rescue, test results and any hot-work provisions.
Entry permits · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 4 Entry permits, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 10(2)
46. D — Engulfment
Engulfment is being surrounded or buried by shifting or collapsing bulk material, or by a flood of free-flowing solid or liquid. CCOHS lists it among confined space safety hazards.
Atmospheric and other hazards · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 2 Atmospheric and other hazards, CCOHS — Introduction
47. D — A competent person
Section 7 requires an adequate written plan, including hazard control procedures, developed and implemented by a competent person before any worker enters.
Program, hazard assessment and plan · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 3 Program, hazard assessment and plan, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 7
48. C — About 60 per cent
CCOHS estimates that about 60 % of confined space fatalities are among would-be rescuers, usually people who rush in untrained and unprotected.
What is a confined space · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 1 What is a confined space, CCOHS — Introduction
49. B — An adequate means of entering and exiting for all entrants
Section 16 requires an adequate means for entering and exiting for all workers who enter, such as a well-secured ladder, according to the plan.
Training, access and records · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 11 Training, access and records, O. Reg. 632/05 s. 16
50. B — Outside work can affect safety or air quality inside
CCOHS says make sure no work is being done outside the space that could affect the safety or air quality inside, such as an engine running near the opening.
Isolation, lockout and engulfment · Based on: Canadian confined space rules and guidance (Oct 2026), Ch. 8 Isolation, lockout and engulfment, CCOHS — Introduction

Original practice questions by Canada Exam Prep, written from the official handbook. Not official test questions. Free to print for personal study.

FAQ

Confined space practice test (printable PDF): common questions

Can I get the real confined space test answers as a PDF?

No. Each trainer writes its own test and does not publish it, so an answer key found online is unofficial. This sheet is original practice written from Canadian regulations and government guidance.

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The topics match what Ontario's regulation and guideline expect workers to know, in multiple-choice form. Your trainer's test may be shorter or longer. Aim for 40 or more correct out of 50.

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Confined Space Practice Test – Printable Questions and Answers