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605 Confined Space Safety
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605 Confined Space Safety

Key Requirements

There are five key requirements in the new construction rule, and several areas where OSHA has clarified existing requirements. The five new requirements include:

  1. There are more detailed provisions that require coordinated activities when there are multiple employers at the worksite. This requirement will ensure hazards are not introduced into a confined space by workers performing tasks outside the space. An example would be a generator running near the entrance of a confined space causing a buildup of carbon monoxide within the space.
  2. It requires a competent person to evaluate the work site and identify confined spaces, including permit spaces.
  3. It requires continuous atmospheric monitoring whenever possible.
  4. It requires continuous monitoring of engulfment hazards. For example, when workers perform work in a storm sewer, a storm upstream from the workers could cause flash flooding. An electronic sensor or observer posted upstream from the worksite could alert workers in the space at the first sign of the hazard, giving the workers time to evacuate the space safely.
  5. It allows for the suspension of a permit, instead of cancellation, in the event of changes from the entry conditions list on the permit or an unexpected event requiring evacuation of the space. The space must be returned to the entry conditions listed on the permit before re-entry.

In addition, OSHA has added provisions to the construction rule that clarifies existing requirements in the General Industry standard. These include:

  1. Requiring that employers who direct workers to enter a space without using a complete permit system prevent workers' exposure to physical hazards by eliminating or through isolation methods such as lockout/tagout.
  2. Requiring that employers who are relying on local emergency services for emergency services arrange for responders to give the employer advance notice if they will be unable to respond for a period of time (because they are responding to another emergency, attending department-wide training, etc.).
  3. Requiring employers to provide training in a language and vocabulary that the worker understands.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

5-4. Why is continuous monitoring of engulfment hazards required when workers are in a storm sewer?

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