DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

29 CFR Part 1910

[Docket No. S-019] RIN 1218-AA51

Permit-Required Confined Spaces

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hereby promulgates safety requirements, including a permit system, for entry into those confined spaces, designated as permit-required confined spaces (permit spaces), which pose special dangers for entrants because their configurations hamper efforts to protect entrants from serious hazards, such as toxic, explosive or asphyxiating atmospheres. The new standard provides a comprehensive regulatory framework within which employers can effectively protect employees who work in permit spaces.

Few OSHA standards specifically address permit space hazards. These standards, in turn, provide only limited protection. OSHA has determined, based on its review of the rulemaking record, that the existing standards do not adequately protect workers in confined spaces from atmospheric, mechanical and other hazards. The Agency has also determined that the ongoing need for monitoring, testing and communication at workplaces which contain entry permit confined spaces can be satisfied only through the implementation of a comprehensive confined space entry program. OSHA anticipates that compliance with the provisions of this standard will effectively protect employees who work in permit-required confined spaces from injury or death.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule will become effective on April 15, 1993.

ADDRESS: In compliance with 28 U.S.C. 2112(a), the Agency designates for receipt of petitions for review of the standard, the Associate Solicitor for Occupational Safety and Health, Office of the Solicitor, Room S-4004, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James F. Foster, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Office of Information and Consumer Affairs, Room N3647, Washington, DC 20210, (202) 523-8151.

[58 FR 4462, Jan. 14, 1993; 59 FR 55208, Nov. 4, 1994]