OSHA Issues Final Rule Governing Confined Spaces
Alexandria, VA – May 21, 2015 — On May 4, 2015, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule which creates a new subpart within 29 CFR Part 1926. This new rule replaces OSHA’s previous, singular training requirement governing confined space work with a comprehensive standard that includes a permit program designed to protect employees from exposure to many hazards associated with work in confined spaces, including atmospheric and physical hazards
Effective on August 3, 2015, the final rule is similar in content and organization to the previous, general industry standard for confined spaces, but it incorporates several additional provisions which address construction-specific hazards.
Sign company owners and managers should be aware that the OSHA definition of a confined space applies to certain types of sign installation and maintenance work commonly performed by field workers in the sign industry. Confined spaces are defined as work areas that fit the following criteria:
- Are large enough for an employee to enter
- Have limited means of entry or exit, and
- Are not designed for continuous occupancy.
Some examples relevant to the sign industry include large cabinet signs which must be serviced by technicians entering the signs’ interiors via service doors or hatches. This rule also applies to work performed inside attics or crawl spaces where lighting components which operate building mounted signs may be located.
According to the OSHA rule, employers are required to implement communications and training specific to confined space hazards for all employees who will be working in such areas. Employees not only must be informed about related hazards, but they also must be educated about measures necessary to mitigate them.
OSHA provides a Fact Sheet and FAQ document addressing common questions about the new standard and its scope. Additionally, employers can participate in OSHA’s On-Site Consultation to define the scope of their company operations subject to this rule and to receive recommendations on appropriate employee notification and training efforts to fulfill these requirements.
Please direct additional questions to Bill Dundas, ISA Manager of Technical and Regulatory Affairs.
Final Rule: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2015-08843.pdf
Confined Spaces Fact Sheet: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3787.pdf
Confined Spaces Rule FAQ: https://www.osha.gov/confinedspaces/faq.html
OSHA On-Site Consultation: https://www.osha.gov/html/RAmap.html
