On October 31, 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) released the mandatory national standard “Safety Technical Code for Work in Confined Spaces” (GB 46768-2025), effective May 1, 2026. This standard consolidates and updates previous guidance, including the 2012 recommended industry standard “Code for Prevention of Occupational Hazards in Confined Space Operations”.
The standard defines safety management and technical requirements for work in confined spaces, including procedures before, during, and after operations, along with verification methods. It applies broadly to confined space operations and safety management, excluding:
· Enterprises handling hazardous chemicals or chemical/pharmaceutical production
· Confined spaces on ships
Key Definitions
· Confined spaces: Fully or partially enclosed areas not intended as permanent workplaces, accessible to personnel, and prone to accumulation of toxic, flammable, or oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
Requirements for Enterprises
1. Management Ledger: Identify all confined spaces, maintain a management ledger, and update it regularly.
2. Safety Management System: Clearly define responsibilities for work approvers, supervisors, monitors, and workers; implement safety training; establish work approval procedures; maintain safety equipment and emergency rescue facilities; and enforce operating rules.
3. Confined Work Area Warnings: Display a “Confined Space Work Safety Risk Board” at work areas and entrances.
4. Work Environment Assessment: Work may only proceed if conditions meet:
a. Oxygen content: 19.5%–23.5% VOL
b. Flammable gases: ≤10% of Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)
c. Toxic/harmful gases: ≤ maximum allowable concentration or short-term exposure limits as per GBZ 2.1; if unavailable, use time-weighted average permissible concentration
