The Mental Strain of Working in Confined Spaces

From crawl spaces to service tunnels, confined areas are common in construction. While safety risks are well documented, the mental impact of working in tight, enclosed conditions is often ignored.

Why Confined Spaces Affect Mental Health

Spending hours in cramped areas can:

• Trigger feelings of anxiety or claustrophobia

• Increase stress due to limited movement and poor air quality

• Heighten fear of accidents, as escape routes are restricted

• Lead to mental fatigue from constant hyper-awarenessThese pressures can leave workers feeling mentally drained long after the task is complete.

How It Shows Up on Site

Look out for:

• Workers avoiding confined space tasks where possible

• Panic, agitation, or rapid breathing when inside small spaces

• Loss of focus from constant worry about “what if” scenarios

• Greater reliance on others for reassuranceThese are clear signals that the work is impacting mental wellbeing, not just physical safety.

Steps to Support Workers

1. Proper Preparation – detailed briefings and rehearsals help reduce anxiety.

2. Buddy Systems – working in pairs ensures no one feels trapped or isolated.

3. Rotation of Tasks – avoid leaving the same worker in tight spaces for long periods.

4. Mental Health Awareness – normalise talking about the mental strain as much as the physical risk.

Why It Matters

Confined space work will always carry challenges, but recognising its impact on the mind is just as important as wearing the right safety gear. Supporting workers through these tasks builds resilience and trust.

Final Thought

In construction, mental health risks can be hidden in the smallest spaces. Addressing them head-on is vital for safer and healthier sites.

Construction Sport continues to highlight overlooked challenges, making sure every aspect of wellbeing is taken seriously in the industry.