Companies have until August 3rd of this year to have their programs, training and operations compliant with the new standard, or face heavy penalties.
By, Robert Box, Contributor
Exclusive to SM Corridor News
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) released its final rule for confined spaces in the construction industry. Construction companies have until August 3rd of this year to have their programs, training and operations compliant with the new standard, or face heavy penalties.
The rule will provide construction workers with protections similar to those manufacturing and general industry workers have had for more than two decades, with some differences tailored to the construction industry.
There are 5 key differences from the construction rule, and several areas where OSHA has clarified existing requirements. The new requirements include:
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More detailed provisions requiring coordinated activities when there are multiple employers at the worksite; ensuring workers performing tasks outside the space do not introduce hazards into a confined space. An example would be a generator running near the entrance of a confined space causing a buildup of carbon monoxide within the space.
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Requiring a competent person to evaluate each worksite and identify confined spaces, including permit spaces.
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Requiring continuous atmospheric monitoring whenever possible.
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Requiring continuous monitoring of engulfment hazards. For example, when workers are performing work in a storm sewer, a storm upstream from the workers could cause flash flooding. An electronic sensor or observer posted upstream from the work site could alert workers in the space at the first sign of the hazard, giving the workers time to evacuate the space safely.
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Allowing for the suspension instead of cancellation of the entry permit as is required in the general industry version of the rule. However, the space must be returned to the entry conditions listed on the permit before re-entry.
Compliance assistance material and additional information is available on OSHA’s Confined Spaces in Construction Web page.
Safety First Consulting helps businesses identify OSHA compliance deficiencies in their workplaces, manage their safety programs, and become accountable for the results. In addition to offering custom written safety programs for companies, Safety First Consulting provides required safety training, industrial hygiene sampling, noise sampling, and workplace inspections.