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2240. PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACES (GENERAL INDUSTRY: PREVENTING SUFFOCATION/EXPLOSIONS IN CONFINED SPACES)

Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant. Major status under 5 USC 801 is undetermined.

Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined

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. A final rule is expected in calendar year 1998.

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM 11/28/94 59 FR 60735
NPRM Comment Period End 02/27/95
Final Action 12/00/98

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Undetermined

Government Levels Affected: Undetermined

Agency Contact: John Martinok, Acting 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: 202 219-8061
Fax: 202 219-7477

RIN: 1218-AB52



DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL) Long-Term Actions
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)


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