OSHA has issued a new Confined Space standard for construction. The new standard, 29 CFR 1926, Subpart AA, goes into effect 8/3/15. If you have employees working on construction sites with confined spaces, they need to become familiar with the new standard, and ask the controlling contractor or the client how the new standard will be implemented on the project site.
Previously, the confined space standard had been in OSHA’s general industry regulations; this new standard applies to construction.
As defined in Subpart AA, confined space means a space that:
- Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter it;
- Has limited or restricted means for entry and exit; and
- Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
