Deploying an effective fall protection program can be a challenge at any job site, and the potential hazards only increase when it’s necessary to enter a confined space.
For workers who enter confined spaces, such as crawl spaces, vaults, tanks, tunnels, pipelines, silos or manholes, the selection and proper use of fall protection equipment is especially critical. This is because there is more to a confined space than meets the eye. For instance, the area may appear safe, but in a restricted environment there may be fall hazards, entrapment hazards, engulfment hazards, atmospheric hazards or other serious safety hazards that greatly increase the danger a worker may encounter when entering the space. A confined space is any space with limited means of entry or exit that is large enough for a person to enter to perform work but is not designed for continuous occupancy. There are two basic categories of confined spaces: those that require a permit and are regulated by OSHA, and those that do not. Permit-required confined spaces fall under the OSHA §1910.146 and are defined as spaces that have one or more of the following dangers:
All spaces designated as permit-required confined spaces require a company to implement a safety program that is in compliance with OSHA §1910.146. This program must be in writing, and regulations require issuing entry permits, selecting an entry attendant and having a rescue plan. The company is also responsible for proper employee training on confined space entry and providing proper personal protective or fall protection equipment.