OSHA Standards & Definitions
There are 2 primary OSHA standards concerning confined space entry:
- OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.146 (for general industry)
- OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.1201 (for construction industry)
By definition, a confined space:
- is large enough for an employee to enter fully and perform assigned work
- is not designed for continuous occupancy by the employee
- and has a limited or restricted means of entry and exit
By definition, a permit-required confined space has one or more of these characteristics:
- contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere
- contains a material with the potential to engulf someone who enters the space
- has an internal configuration that might cause an entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross section;
- and/or contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazards
The construction industry standard is very similar to the general industry standard, but it has a number of additional requirements. These additional confined space requirements are because construction worksites are uniquely dynamic. Working conditions are constantly changing as projects progress and there are generally multiple contractors on a site performing different tasks that could affect conditions within a confined space. Some requirements under the construction standard are:
- worksite inspection by a competent person
- notice to employees of hazards by posting signs or some other effective means
- employer must take steps to prevent unauthorized employees from entering the space
- a written permit-required confined space program must be implemented citing specific rescue procedures, communication plan, and coordination for permit space entry