What is an example of a structure in which an individual can become trapped or suffocate?

A storage tank with inward-sloping walls exemplifies a structure where an individual can become trapped or suffocate due to its design. Inward-sloping walls can create a situation where, if a person enters the tank, they may find it difficult or impossible to escape. These walls may cause stored materials to roll or slide towards the center, potentially trapping the individual. Additionally, the confined nature of a storage tank can lead to quickly deteriorating air quality, increasing the risk of suffocation from hazardous atmospheres or oxygen deficiency.

Other structures, while they may pose risks, typically do not present the same level of entrapment associated with inward-sloping walls. For example, an open pit or wide tunnel usually does not have the same constraints that lead directly to entrapment; they usually allow for easier access and egress. Caves can also be hazardous but are generally more variable in terms of layout and may not consistently create the same suffocation risks as a confined space designed specifically for storage.