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A confined space is a space whose configuration and/or contents may present special dangers not found in normal work areas. Confined spaces may be poorly ventilated and, as a result, contain insufficient oxygen or hazardous levels of toxic gases. Working in a tight space can prevent a worker from keeping a safe distance from mechanical and electrical hazards in the space. Fumes from a flammable liquid that is used in a poorly ventilated area can reach explosive levels.
Such hazards endanger both the workers in the confined space and others who become exposed to the hazards when they attempt to rescue injured workers. In a number of cases, rescue workers have themselves died or been injured because they did not have the training and equipment necessary to conduct the rescue safely.
Because confined spaces are potentially dangerous, employers must evaluate all confined spaces in which their employees work to determine whether hazards exist or whether the work to be done in the space can create hazards. If a confined space contains an actual or potential hazard that can cause death, injury or acute illness, incapacitation, entrapment, or otherwise interfere with a worker’s ability to leave the space in an emergency, it is a permit-required confined space, or permit space.
Employers must take certain precautions whenever workers enter a permit space. These include:
The Confined Spaces in Construction standard protects employees engaged in construction activities at a worksite with one or more confined spaces. All employers engaged in construction activities have a duty under the standard to make sure their employees do not enter a confined space except when following the requirements of the standard.
The presence of a confined space on the worksite triggers this duty. The focus is on the type of work performed, and whether that work could produce, and expose employees to, confined space hazards.
The standard applies to construction work performed in confined spaces, except for certain construction activities that are subject to confined space provisions in other OSHA construction standards.
The following Subparts are exempt from the Confined Spaces in Construction standard:
Where Subpart AA applies and there is a provision that addresses a confined space hazard in another applicable OSHA standard, the employer must comply with both that requirement and the applicable provisions of Subpart AA.
For example, employers engaged in the following activities in confined spaces must also comply with other applicable OSHA standards, such as:
The following table summarizes the responsibilities of the various categories of employer.
Duties of employers under the Confined Spaces in Construction
Category of Employer | Employer Responsibilities |
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All Employers |
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Entry Employers |
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Controlling Contractors |
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Host Employers |
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