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Confined Space Entry Requirements

Confined Space Entry Requirements

  • OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 "Permit-Required Confined Spaces"

National Consensus Standards

  • Standards developed by NIOSH, ANSI, NFPA, and API referred to as National Consensus Standards
  • "National Consensus Standard" means any occupational safety and health standard that has substantial agreement on its adoption
  • Unless referenced or incorporated into a governing standard, consensus standards are "Best Practice" advice only

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146
  • Permit Required Confined Spaces
    • Requirements for practices and procedures to protect employees in general industry from the hazards of entry into permit-required confined spaces
  • Does not apply to:
    • Agriculture
    • Construction
    • Shipyard employment

Vertical vs. Horizontal Standards

  • Vertical standards apply to specific industries or activities
  • If an employee is working in an industry where a vertical or industry-specific standard applies, then the entry is subject to the vertical standard
  • If vertical standard not applicable, general industry standard prevails
  • A list of vertical standards is found in Appendix B of CPL 2.100, p. 8

Construction

Construction
Construction
  • Even though the activity is taking place in a confined space, 1910.146 does not apply to construction
  • The activity is regulated by the appropriate vertical standard (e.g. trenching and shoring)
  • Construction now has its own proposed CS standard: rule has not been finalized

Construction Exception

  • 29 CFR 1910.146 is not applicable to construction
  • However, when construction companies perform work other than construction they are subject to the confined space standard
  • For example, maintenance and repair activities, even if performed by a construction company, DO fall under 29 CFR 1910.146
Construction Exception
Construction Exception

1910.146 General Requirements

1910.146 General Requirements
  • Employers Must:
    • Identify Confined Space hazard areas
    • Inform employees by posting signs where feasible
    • Prevent entry by unauthorized persons
    • Establish procedures and practices to allow safe entry (Permit system)
    • Train employees
    • Provide required equipment
    • Control hazards where possible through engineering or work practices
    • Ensure procedures and equipment necessary for rescue
    • Protect entrants from external hazards
    • Enforce established procedures
  • Employers must provide required equipment:
    • Testing and monitoring
    • Ventilation
    • Communications
    • Lighting
    • Barriers
    • Other personal protective equipment
    • Any required rescue and emergency equipment
  • Options for entry into Permit Required Confined Space (PRCS)
    • Reclassification
    • Alternate entry procedures
    • Permit program
1910.146 General Requirements

Reclassification as non PRCS

Reclassification as non PRCS
  • A PRCS can be reclassified as a non-permit space IF AND ONLY IF the space contains no actual or potential atmospheric hazards, and if all other hazards can be eliminated without entry into the space
    • Reclassification requires that no ongoing measures are required to keep the space safe
    • The reclassification is valid only as long as the hazard is eliminated
    • When hazards are reintroduced into a space, the space becomes a permit space again
  • The employer must certify that all hazards from the space have been eliminated and provide that certification to all employees entering that space
  • The reclassification is valid only as long as the hazard remains eliminated.

Elimination of hazardous conditions

  • In order to reclassify the space, all serious hazards must be eliminated prior to entry
  • "Serious" recognized hazard is broadly defined
Elimination of hazardous conditions
Elimination of hazardous conditions