Confined space safety and health: A bibliometric analysis of research evolution and future prospects

Confined spaces present serious work risks because of restricted access, inadequate ventilation, and exposure to poisonous or oxygen-deficient environments, which frequently result in injuries and fatalities. Incidents still happen because of incomplete safety interventions, poor training, and gaps in hazard knowledge, even in the face of legislative frameworks like ISO 45001 and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146. In order to find trends, important contributors, and theme clusters, this study conducts a thorough bibliometric analysis of international research on confined space safety and health using the Scopus database and VOSviewer software. The analysis covered 147 peer-reviewed publications between 1940 and February 2025. Four dominant research clusters were identified: (1) Human and Occupational Health (HOH), focusing on demographic risks and injuries in sectors such as agriculture; (2) Safety Management and Regulations (SMR), emphasizing safety frameworks and compliance; (3) Occupational Exposure and Workplace Safety (OEWS), addressing exposure risks and preventive measures; and (4) Hazards, Risk Assessment, and Prevention (HRAP), covering toxic gases, ventilation strategies, and industrial hygiene practices. The study also highlights an increasing trend in using real-time gas monitoring, IoT-enabled safety technologies, and AI-based predictive tools for confined space hazard mitigation. However, there are still significant research gaps in fields not well covered in the literature today, such as biological risks, ergonomic design, and psychological stressors. In order to improve confined space safety, the study emphasises the necessity of multidisciplinary approaches that integrate engineering, behavioural science, and regulatory insights. Researchers, legislators, and business professionals looking to create evidence-based safety procedures, promote technological advancement, and lower workplace accidents might use the findings as a starting point. This bibliometric study offers prospects for improving the safety of confined spaces and helps to understand the research evolution better.