When an employee enters a confined space in construction, the employer is required to be in compliance with OSHA's new construction standards in 1926.1201–1213: Confined Spaces in Construction.1 This paper will discuss the major parts of the new construction rule and how it impacts the employers, employees, and subcontractors entering confined spaces in the construction industry. Major differences in this standard, the general industry 1910.1462 and ANSI Z117.13 will also be discussed. These major parts reviewed will emphasize major enforcement language in the following sections:
1926.1201 Scope.
1926.1202 Definitions
1926.1203 General requirements.
1926.1204 Permit-required confined space program.
1926.1205 Permitting process.
1926.1206 Entry permit.
1926.1207 Training.
1926.1208 Duties of authorized entrants.
1926.1209 Duties of attendants.
1926.1210 Duties of entry supervisors.
1926.1211 Rescue and emergency services.
1926.1212 Employee participation.
1926.1213 Provision of documents to Secretary.
This paper is designed with enough detail to reach the intermediate level of attendee's knowledge of confined spaces; however, it is comprehensive enough to offer technical information to an advanced audience. The reader will go away with an appreciation of the enforcement aspects of the new confined spaces in construction standard; in addition, the participant will also gain knowledge and best practices, along with recommendations from an accredited standard committee (ASC) for ANSI Z117.1 that has had a standard for entering and working safely in confined spaces for over 30 years.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in its regulations for general industry, set out in in 29 CFR 1910, for over 25 years has contained section .146, entitled Permit-required confined spaces, which specifies requirements for employers covered in general industry under OSHA, to ensure workers enter, work and exit safely permit spaces.
