Confined spaces - California

California’s requirements for confined spaces correspond to the federal requirements; however, the state adds further requirements. Click the link(s) below to view the applicable requirements.

Confined spaces

Citations

California: Title 8, Division 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter 7

Federal: 29 CFR 1910.146 Permit-required confined spaces

A summary of the additional requirements includes the following:

• California’s regulation does not cover operations conducted in underwater devices. However, it does cover construction, agriculture, marine terminal, telecommunication, grain handling, natural gas utility, and electric utility operations (5156).
• Fuels or gases cannot be taken into confined spaces (4845).
• In vessels that held flammable liquids, disconnect lines that convey hazardous materials (5420)
• If using an ignition source, empty the vessel and purge flammable vapors. Then test for flammability of vapors, and allow no source of ignition if the combustible vapor is greater than 25 percent of the LEL (5420).
• Keep adequate fire extinguishing equipment close at hand (5420).
• At least one standby person at the site needs to be trained and immediately available to perform rescue and emergency services (5157).