Answers to specific questions concerning the permit-required confined spaces standard

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

December 20, 1994

Mr Jim Matthies, Chief
Hazelwood Fire Department
Fire Station #2
6800 Howdershell Road
Hazelwood, MO 63042

Dear Mr. Matthies:

This is in response to your letter of July 27, sent to Mr. James Foster, requesting answers to specific questions concerning the Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS) standard, 29 CFR 1910.146. Your letter was assigned to the Office of General Industry Compliance Assistance for response. Please accept my apology for the delay in this response.

Application of the confined spaces standard to the elevator industry.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

December 20, 1994

Mr. Edward A. Donoghue, CPCA
Code and Safety Consultant to NEII
Shushan Road, P.O. Box 201
Salem, NY 12865-0201

Dear Mr. Donoghue:

This is in response to your letter of November 25, to Assistant Secretary Joseph A. Dear, responding to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) letter of interpretation to you, addressing the application of the 29 CFR 1910.146 standard to the elevator industry. Your letter has been assigned to the Directorate of Compliance Programs for further response.

A possible conflict between exposure record retention.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

November 26, 1996

Mr. Stanley D. Sorenson
Senior Industrial Hygiene Specialist
220-2E-02, 3M Center
3M Company St.
Paul, MN 55144

Dear Mr. Sorenson:

This is in response to your letter of November 6, requesting an interpretation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding a possible conflict between exposure record retention related to 29 C.F.R. 1910.146 and C.F.R. 1910.1020 (formerly 29 C.F.R. 1910.20).

Introduction of electrical welding equipment into a non-permit confined space.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

 

Permit-Required Confined Spaces standard.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 18, 1994

Mr. Quintin H. Frazier
Coordinator-Safety & Training
Plantation Pipe Line Company
945 East Paces Ferry Rd., N.E.
Post Office Box 18616
Atlanta, Georgia 30326

Dear Mr. Frazier:

Thank you for your letter of August 30, 1993 in which you requested clarification as to whether the Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS) standard applies to your company's petroleum pipeline emergency response operations. Please accept our apology for the delay in this response.

Use of explosion proof certified equipment inside of pipes and manholes.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

September 21, 1995

The Honorable Bill McCollum
605 East Robinson Street, Suite 650
Orlando, Florida 32801

Dear Congressman McCollum:

The appropriate atmospheric monitoring equipment to the wine making industry for compliance with OSHA standard 1910.146.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

June 21, 1995

Mr. Jon P. Moldsted
Risk Control Consultant
Willis Corroon Corporation
1735 Technology Drive
Suite 500
San Jose, California 95110-1337

Dear Mr. Moldsted:

Thank you for your letter. You requested assistance in recommending the appropriate atmospheric monitoring equipment to the wine making industry for compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) standard on permit-required confined spaces (1910.146).

Concern regarding the Hazard Information Bulletin.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

June 19, 1995

Mr. Jim Maness, Chairman
Safety, Health and Environmental Quality
National Grain and
Feed Association Committee
1201 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 830
Washington, D.C. 20005

Dear Mr. Maness:

Thank you for your letter of April 3, 1995, addressed to Mr. Zettler, in which you expressed concern regarding the Hazard Information Bulletin of December 15, 1994.

PRCS interpretation concerning a hydropower dam's 22 foot diameter sluice tunnel.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

June 1, 1995

Ms. Janice Gelhaus, CIH
Safety and Occupational Health Office
Department of the Army
South Atlantic Division
Corps of Engineers
Room 313
77 Forsyth Street, S.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30335-6801

Dear Ms. Gelhaus:

Thank you for your April 27 letter regarding your Permit-required Confined Space (PRCS) interpretation request concerning a hydropower dam's 22 foot diameter sluice tunnel. Your letter was referred to the Office of Federal Agency Programs for response.

Reclassification of silver inspection services' tank containers.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

September 20, 1994

J.B. Saunders
Maryland Rail Car
P.O. Box 10
Elk Mills, Maryland 21920

Dear Mr. Saunders:

This letter is in response to your telephone conversation with directorate staff and a facsimile of an interpretation letter by the Dallas Regional Office to Mr. J.R. Silver of Silver Inspection Services. Please accept our apology for the delay in this response.