21, 2006, addresses the requirements to inform employees about the dangers by posting signs or using equally effective means. These are the requirements to: identify permit spaces in the workplace, inform workers about the spaces, reevaluate non-permit confined spaces when there are changes in their use or configuration, and cooperate with contractors who will enter the permit spaces.Ī good practice is to somehow bar or lock the potential entry portals when employees will not enter a permit space.Īn OSHA letter of interpretation dated Sept. However, any space that you have previously identified as a non-permit confined space does need to be reevaluated under 1910.146(c)(6): if "there are changes in the use or configuration of a non-permit confined space that might increase the hazards to entrants, the employer shall reevaluate that space and, if necessary, reclassify it as a permit-required confined space." Again, OSHA does not require employers to document the evaluations.Īt 1910.146(c)(3), the standard states: “If the employer decides that its employees will not enter permit spaces, the employer shall take effective measures to prevent its employees from entering the permit spaces and shall comply with paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(6), and (c)(8) of this section.” There is no requirement for the employer to reevaluate the workplace for spaces that may be permit spaces. OSHA only requires this initial evaluation. Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazard.Has an internal configuration that could trap or asphyxiate an entrant by inwardly converging walls or a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a small cross section or.Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant or.Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere or.If you determine that a space does meet the definition of "confined space," then you need to further evaluate the space to determine whether it meets the definition of "permit-required confined space." A permit-required confined space is a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics: Is not designed for continuous occupancy.Has limited or restricted means of entry and exit and.Is large enough for an employee to bodily enter and work. ![]() OSHA defines a confined space as meeting the following criteria: OSHA's permit-required confined spaces standard defines "confined space" and "permit-required confined space (permit space)" at 1910.146(b). Note: A confined spaces sign reading ‘DANGER - PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER' or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign." OSHA does not require employers to document the evaluations. And, "If the workplace contains permit spaces, the employer shall inform exposed employees, by posting danger confined spaces signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces. Under the requirements at 1910.146(c)(1) and (2), the employer must evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces are permit-required confined spaces. ![]() Our deep knowledge of federal and state agencies is built on a strong foundation of 70+ years of regulatory compliance experience. You can trust our expertise across subjects relating to labor, transportation, environmental, and worker safety.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |