2046. PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACES (GENERAL INDUSTRY: PREVENTING SUFFOCATION/EXPLOSIONS IN CONFINED SPACES)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b)

CFR Citation: 29 CFR 1910.146

Legal Deadline: None

Abstract: OSHA issued a final standard governing employee entry into confined spaces in general industry on January 14, 1993 (58 FR 4462). The standard was challenged by a number of parties including the United Steelworkers of America. OSHA reached a settlement agreement with the Steelworkers in June 1994. As part of this settlement agreement, OSHA issued a proposal on November 28, 1994 (59 FR 60735), to clarify paragraph (k) of the rule, Rescue and Emergency Services. OSHA also proposed to allow more flexibility in the point of retrieval line attachment and asked whether the standard should provide affected employees or their representatives with the opportunity to observe the evaluation of confined spaces, including atmospheric testing, and to have access to evaluation results. Hearings were held September 27-28 1995. The post-hearing comment period ended on December 20, 1995. In February 1996, the record was closed. The final rule was issued on December 1, 1998 (63 FR 66018).

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No

Government Levels Affected: None

Agency Contact: Marthe B. Kent, Director, Directorate of Safety Standards Programs, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room N3605, FP Building, Washington, DC 20210
Phone: 202 693-2222
Fax: 202 693-1663

RIN: 1218-AB52