Confined Spaces
What are the OSHA standards for confined space safety equipment?
OSHA addresses the requirements for confined space entry and the equipment needed for safety entry in its 1910.146 Permit Required Confined Space Standard. In this standard OSHA outlines the "practices and procedures" required "to protect employees" from the risks of confined space entry.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires the use of specific gas detection devices in order to verify compliance with requirements set forth in the Compressed Gas Association Commodity Specification for Air, CGA G-7.1.
What defines a confined space?
- Partially or totally closed structures
- An indoor space that is designed to not be permanently occupied
- Commonly defined as pits, silos, cellars, or sinks
- Commonly found having crawl spaces, drains, or pipes
- Often containing cisterns, tanks, or storage vessels
What are examples of confined spaces?
- Pits, tunnels, and manholes
- Fermenters, mash tuns
- Brewery vats and keg coolers
- Indoor greenhouses
- Containment cavities
- Grain silos
- Electrical transformers
- Vaults and caves
- Below deck on ships and submarines
Do confined spaces require CO2 monitoring?
Testing for CO2 should be performed in a confined space anywhere the danger of high levels of CO2 may be present. You should place the CO2 monitor over 50cm away from individuals, as their exhaled breath contains CO2. If the monitor is too close it could give a misleading reading.
For more information on OSHA Confined Space Requirements, click here.
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