OSHA issued a final rule covering confined space work in the construction industry requiring employers to develop permit programs for workers exposed to these hazards.

The new rule, published in the Federal Register on May 4, 2015 expands OSHA’s efforts to reduce confined space hazards to the construction industry. Construction contractors with workers entering confined spaces — sewers, pits, crawl spaces, attics, boilers, etc. — will now be required to develop permit programs, including identifying necessary PPE and continually monitoring the hazards in the confined space.

Here is an overview of the ruling with some compliance tips:

Classify The Confined Space Properly

In order to classify the confined space properly, the worker must first determine:

  1. Can someone fit into this space?
  2. Does this space have limited ways of access and egress?
  3. Was this space meant for continuous human occupancy?

If the answer is yes to those questions, then the space is a confined space by definition. The next determination is: Do I need a permit to enter this space? The answer is yes, if there is a recognized or suspected hazard in the space, then it is a Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS).

Confined spaces rule could protect nearly 800 construction workers a year
from serious injuries and reduce life-threatening hazards.

The new rule takes effect on August 3, 2015

For more info on the new rule visit https://www.osha.gov/confinedspaces/faq.html