Subpart AA - Confined Spaces in Construction

Scope: This standard provides the general requirements for confined spaces in construction.

Special Requirements: Competent person, identify spaces, testing, determine, authorized employees, evaluation, evaluate, measures, written certification, verify, inform, written program, alternate procedures, monitoring, debrief, permit space program, employer demonstrates, approved, permit-required, registered professional engineer, approved (writing), sign (post), notice, inspection, controlling contractor, information, entry employer, references other standards

1926.1203(a) - Before it begins work at a worksite, each employer must ensure that a competent person identifies all confined spaces in which one or more of the employees it directs may work, and identifies each space that is a permit space, through consideration and evaluation of the elements of that space, including testing as necessary.

1926.1203(b) - If the workplace contains one or more permit spaces, the employer who identifies, or who receives notice of, a permit space must:

• 1926.1203(b)(1) - Inform exposed employees by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of, and the danger posed by, each permit space; and

Note to paragraph (b)(1). A sign reading “DANGER—PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER” or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for a permit space program.

Special Requirements: Measures, identify, evaluate, review, procedures, practices, develop, implement, testing, monitoring, maintain, communications, personal protective equipment, engineering controls, single annual review, work-practice controls, rescue, planned, complaints, system, entry permits, designate, training, approved, attendant, authorized, references other standards

Each entry employer must:

• 1926.1204(a) - Implement the measures necessary to prevent unauthorized entry;
• 1926.1204(b) - Identify and evaluate the hazards of permit spaces before employees enter them;
• 1926.1204(c) - Develop and implement the means, procedures, and practices necessary for safe permit space entry operations, including, but not limited to, the following: [Reference paragraph (c)(1) - (8)].

1926.1204(d) - Provide the following equipment (specified in paragraphs (d)(1) through (9) of this section) at no cost to each employee, maintain that equipment properly, and ensure that each employee uses that equipment properly: (Reference paragraph (d)(1) -(9)].

• 1926.1204(d)(5) - Lighting equipment that meets the minimum illumination requirements in 1926.56 - illumination, that is approved for the ignitable or combustible properties of the specific gas, vapor, dust, or fiber that will be present, and that is sufficient to enable employees to see well enough to work safely and to exit the space quickly in an emergency.

1926.1204(e) - Evaluate permit space conditions in accordance with the following paragraphs (e)(1) through (6) of this section when entry operations are conducted: [Reference paragraph (e)(1) - (6)].

1926.1204(f) - Provide at least one attendant outside the permit space into which entry is authorized for the duration of entry operations:  [Reference paragraph (f)(1) - (2)].

1926.1204(g) - If multiple spaces are to be assigned to a single attendant, include in the permit program the means and procedures to enable the attendant to respond to an emergency affecting one or more of those permit spaces without distraction from the attendant's responsibilities under 1926.1209 - duties of attendants.

1926.1204(h) - Designate each person who is to have an active role (as, for example, authorized entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, or persons who test or monitor the atmosphere in a permit space) in entry operations, identify the duties of each such employee, and provide each such employee with the training required by 1926.1207 - training.

1926.1204(i) - Develop and implement procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services (including procedures for summoning emergency assistance in the event of a failed non-entry rescue), for rescuing entrants from permit spaces, for providing necessary emergency services to rescued employees, and for preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue.

1926.1204(j) - Develop and implement a system for the preparation, issuance, use, and cancellation of entry permits as required by this standard, including the safe termination of entry operations under both planned and emergency conditions.

1926.1204(k) - Develop and implement procedures to coordinate entry operations, in consultation with the controlling contractor, when employees of more than one employer are working simultaneously in a permit space or elsewhere on the worksite where their activities could, either alone or in conjunction with the activities within a permit space, foreseeably result in a hazard within the confined space, so that employees of one employer do not endanger the employees of any other employer.

1926.1204(l) - Develop and implement procedures (such as closing off a permit space and canceling the permit) necessary for concluding the entry after entry operations have been completed.

1926.1204(m) - Review entry operations when the measures taken under the permit space program may not protect employees and revise the program to correct deficiencies found to exist before subsequent entries are authorized; and

Note to paragraph (m). Examples of circumstances requiring the review of the permit space program include, but are not limited to: Any unauthorized entry of a permit space, the detection of a permit space hazard not covered by the permit, the detection of a condition prohibited by the permit, the occurrence of an injury or near-miss during entry, a change in the use or configuration of a permit space, and employee complaints about the effectiveness of the program.

1926.1204(n) - Review the permit space program, using the canceled permits retained under 1926.1205(f) - permitting process, within 1 year after each entry and revise the program as necessary to ensure that employees participating in entry operations are protected from permit space hazards.

Note to paragraph (n). Employers may perform a single annual review covering all entries performed during a 12-month period. If no entry is performed during a 12-month period, no review is necessary.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for the permitting process.

Special Requirements: Authorized, entry employer, revision, noted, review, document, measures, authorized entrants, confirm, entry permits, posting, retain, permit-required confined space program, entry supervisor, reference other standards

1926.1205(a) - Before entry is authorized, each entry employer must document the completion of measures required by 1926.1204(c) - Permit-required confined space program, by preparing an entry permit.

1926.1205(b) - Before entry begins, the entry supervisor identified on the permit must sign the entry permit to authorize entry.

1926.1205(c) - The completed permit must be made available at the time of entry to all authorized entrants or their authorized representatives, by posting it at the entry portal or by any other equally effective means, so that the entrants can confirm that pre-entry preparations have been completed.

1926.1205(d) - The duration of the permit may not exceed the time required to complete the assigned task or job identified on the permit in accordance with 1926.1206(b) - entry permits.

1926.1205(e) - The entry supervisor must terminate entry and take the following action when any of the following apply: [Reference paragraph (e)(1) - (3)].

1926.1205(f) - The entry employer must retain each canceled entry permit for at least 1 year to facilitate the review of the permit-required confined space program required by 1926.1204(n) - permit-required confined space program. Any problems encountered during an entry operation must be noted on the pertinent permit so that appropriate revisions to the permit space program can be made.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for entry permits.

Special Requirements: Entry permit, documents, authorize, measures, authorized entrants, personal protective equipment, testing, communication procedures, attendants, monitoring, tests, lockout, tagging 

The entry permit that documents compliance with this section and authorizes entry to a permit space must identify: [Reference paragraph (a) - (p)].

Scope: This standard provides the training requirements.

Special Requirements: Training, authorized, duties assigned, affected employees, training records, documentation, methods, inspection, procedures, references other standards

1926.1207(a) - The employer must provide training to each employee whose work is regulated by this standard, at no cost to the employee, and ensure that the employee possesses the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under this standard. This training must result in an understanding of the hazards in the permit space and the methods used to isolate, control or in other ways protect employees from these hazards, and for those employees not authorized to perform entry rescues, in the dangers of attempting such rescues.

1926.1207(b) - Training required by this section must be provided to each affected employee: [Reference paragraph (b)(1) - (5)].

• 1926.1207(b)(5) - Whenever there is any evidence of a deviation from the permit space entry procedures required by 1926.1204(c) - permit-required confined space program, or there are inadequacies in the employee's knowledge or use of these procedures.

1926.1207(c) - The training must establish employee proficiency in the duties required by this standard and must introduce new or revised procedures, as necessary, for compliance with this standard.

1926.1207(d) - The employer must maintain training records to show that the training required by paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section has been accomplished. The training records must contain each employee's name, the name of the trainers, and the dates of training. The documentation must be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives, for the period of time the employee is employed by that employer.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for the duties of the authorized entrants. 

Special Requirements: Entry employer, authorized entrants, alert, information, attendant, familiar, communicate, entrants, references other standards

The entry employer must ensure that all authorized entrants:

• 1926.1208(a) - Are familiar with and understand the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure.
• 1926.1208(b) - Properly use equipment as required by 1926.1204(d) - permit-required confined space program.
• 1926.1208(c) - Communicate with the attendant as necessary to enable the attendant to assess entrant status and to enable the attendant to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the space as required by 1926.1209(f) - Duties of attendants.
• 1926.1208(d) - Alert the attendant whenever: [Reference paragraph (d)(1) - (2) and (e)(1) - (4)].

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for the duties of attendants.

Special Requirements: Entry employer, attendant, familiar, authorized, identifies, orders, summons, action, assess, alert, permit space program, communicates, accurate count, trained, rescue operations, references other standards

The entry employer must ensure that each attendant:

1926.1209(a) - Is familiar with and understands the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure;

1926.1209(b) - Is aware of possible behavioral effects of hazard exposure in authorized entrants;

1926.1209(c) - Continuously maintains an accurate count of authorized entrants in the permit space and ensures that the means used to identify authorized entrants under 1926.1206(d) - entry permit, accurately identifies who is in the permit space;

1926.1209(d) - Remains outside the permit space during entry operations until relieved by another attendant;

Note to paragraph (d). Once an attendant has been relieved by another attendant, the relieved attendant may enter a permit space to attempt a rescue when the employer's permit space program allows attendant entry for rescue and the attendant has been trained and equipped for rescue operations as required by 1926.1211(a) - Rescue and emergency services.

1926.1209(e) - Communicates with authorized entrants as necessary to assess entrant status and to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the space under 1926.1208(e) - duties of authorized entrants;

1926.1209(f) - Assesses activities and conditions inside and outside the space to determine if it is safe for entrants to remain in the space and orders the authorized entrants to evacuate the permit space immediately under any of the following conditions: [References paragraph (f)(1) - (4)].

1926.1209(g) - Summons rescue and other emergency services as soon as the attendant determines that authorized entrants may need assistance to escape from permit space hazards;

1926.1209(h) - Takes the following actions when unauthorized persons approach or enter a permit space while entry is underway: [References paragraph (h)(1) - (3)].

1926.1209(i) - Performs non-entry rescues as specified by the employer's rescue procedure; and

1926.1209(j) - Performs no duties that might interfere with the attendant's primary duty to assess and protect the authorized entrants.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for the duties of entry supervisors.

Special Requirements: Entry employer, familiar, information, checking, tests, permit, removes, procedures, verifies, notified, determines, references other standards

The entry employer must ensure that each entry supervisor:

1926.1210(a) - Is familiar with and understands the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure;

1926.1210(b) - Verifies, by checking that the appropriate entries have been made on the permit, that all tests specified by the permit have been conducted and that all procedures and equipment specified by the permit are in place before endorsing the permit and allowing entry to begin;

1926.1210(c) - Terminates the entry and cancels or suspends the permit as required by 1926.1205(e) - permitting process;

1926.1210(d) - Verifies that rescue services are available and that the means for summoning them are operable, and that the employer will be notified as soon as the services become unavailable;

1926.1210(e) - Removes unauthorized individuals who enter or who attempt to enter the permit space during entry operations; and

1926.1210(f) - Determines, whenever responsibility for a permit space entry operation is transferred, and at intervals dictated by the hazards and operations performed within the space, that entry operations remain consistent with terms of the entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for rescue and emergency services.

Special Requirements: Designates, designated, rescuer, emergency services, medical facility, summons, rescue team, evaluate, authorized entrants, notify, inform, written information, safety data sheets, demonstrates, rescue, retrieval systems or methods, affected employees, PPE (respiratory protection), train, rescue plans, practice, references other standards

1926.1211(a) - An employer who designates rescue and emergency services, pursuant to 1926.1204(i) - permit-required confined space program, must:

• 1926.1211(a)(1) - Evaluate a prospective rescuer's ability to respond to a rescue summons in a timely manner, considering the hazard(s) identified;

Note to paragraph (a)(1). What will be considered timely will vary according to the specific hazards involved in each entry. For example, 1926.103 (Respiratory protection) requires that employers provide a standby person or persons capable of immediate action to rescue employee(s) wearing respiratory protection while in work areas defined as IDLH atmospheres.

• 1926.1211(a)(2) - Evaluate a prospective rescue service's ability, in terms of proficiency with rescue-related tasks and equipment, to function appropriately while rescuing entrants from the particular permit space or types of permit spaces identified;
• 1926.1211(a)(3) - Select a rescue team or service from those evaluated that: [Reference paragraph (a)(3)(i) - (iii)].
• 1926.1211(a)(4) - Inform each rescue team or service of the hazards they may confront when called on to perform rescue at the site; and
• 1926.1211(a)(5) - Provide the rescue team or service selected with access to all permit spaces from which rescue may be necessary so that the rescue team or service can develop appropriate rescue plans and practice rescue operations.

1926.1211(b) - An employer whose employees have been designated to provide permit space rescue and/or emergency services must take the following measures and provide all equipment and training at no cost to those employees: [Reference paragraph (b)(1) - (4)].

1926.1211(c) - Non-entry rescue is required unless the retrieval equipment would increase the overall risk of entry or would not contribute to the rescue of the entrant. The employer must designate an entry rescue service whenever non-entry rescue is not selected. Whenever non-entry rescue is selected, the entry employer must ensure that retrieval systems or methods are used whenever an authorized entrant enters a permit space, and must confirm, prior to entry, that emergency assistance would be available in the event that non-entry rescue fails. Retrieval systems must meet the following requirements: [Reference paragraph (c)(1) - (3)].

1926.1211(d) - If an injured entrant is exposed to a substance for which a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or other similar written information is required to be kept at the worksite, that SDS or written information must be made available to the medical facility treating the exposed entrant.

Scope: This standard provides for employee participation.

Special Requirements: Affected employees, available, consult, authorized, implementation, development, information, permit space program, references other standards

1926.1212(a) - Employers must consult with affected employees and their authorized representatives on the development and implementation of all aspects of the permit space program required by 1926.1203 - general requirements.

1926.1212(b) - Employers must make available to each affected employee and his/her authorized representatives all information required to be developed by this standard.

Scope: This standard provides for the provision of documents.

Special Requirements: Document, retaining, available, retaining employer

For each document required to be retained in this standard, the retaining employer must make the document available on request to the Secretary of Labor or the Secretary's designee.