Analysis of Research Hotspots and Trends in Confined-Space Work Safety Based on CiteSpace

This study investigates the current state of research on confined-space work safety both domestically and internationally. Utilizing literature from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science (WoS) databases as primary sources, CiteSpace was employed for a visual knowledge mapping analysis. By comparing the Chinese and English literature, research hotspots and developmental trends in this field across different regions were identified. The results indicate that research on confined-space work safety in China is relatively limited and commenced later than in other regions. There is a low level of cooperation among domestic organizations and authors, and interdisciplinary collaboration needs significant improvement, hindering the advancement of communication within the discipline. In China, research has long focused on accidents and asphyxiation in confined spaces, particularly within industrial and commercial enterprises, with chemical enterprise safety emerging as a potential future research hotspot. Conversely, the English-language literature has historically focused on the mechanisms of accidents, with recent years seeing a diversification of research topics. In the future, the prevention and control of risks associated with confined-space work will likely focus on mitigating risks at the source. This will include incorporating safety considerations during the design stage and utilizing automated technologies to minimize the necessity for personnel entry, thereby reducing inherent risks. This study can help researchers to comprehensively learn hotspots and trends in confined-space work safety in China and internationally, and to identify potential directions for future research.