Confined spaces

Overview

When workers enter a confined space to inspect equipment, fix leaks, or do construction work, they can encounter toxic gasses, corrosive chemicals, flammable solvents, or machines that start unexpectedly. If something goes wrong, a confined space can be difficult or impossible to exit. And would-be rescuers can die as quickly as those they are trying to rescue.

General industry and construction industry employers confined space rule, 437-002-0146

Agriculture employers confined space rule, 437-004-1250 Confined and Hazardous Spaces

Publications

Brochures/Guides
- Confined spaces and permit spaces
  Explains the requirements in Oregon OSHA's confined spaces rule, 437-002-0146.
  English Order printed copy 05/01/2021
- Occupational safety for the death care industry
  Developed in partnership with the Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board to emphasize industry hazards, provide recommendations, and highlight related Oregon OSHA standards.
  English 09/23/2014
Checklists
- Confined spaces (permit-required)
  Checklist for confined spaces: permit-required.
  English
Fact sheets
- Confined spaces
  Describes the requirements for confined spaces and permit-required confined spaces, including entry procedures and emergency plans.
  English 07/31/2013
- Confined spaces - crawlspaces and attics
  Clarifies some of the confined space requirements of crawlspaces and attics.
  English 02/09/2016
Forms
- Alternate entry form
  Form for determining alternate entry
  English Word version 10/31/2014
- Confined space/permit space evaluation survey
  Form for confined space/permit space evaluation survey.
  English Word version 10/31/2014
- Entry permit
  Form for entry permit.
  English Word version 10/31/2014
- Permit space evaluation form
  Form for permit space evaluation form.
  English Word version 10/31/2014
- Permit space program
  Form for permit space program.
  English Word version 10/04/2017
Hazard alerts
- Asphyxiation in pits - Potential confined space problem
  This hazard alert serves as a reminder that confined spaces may not always appear as we traditionally consider them.
  English 08/07/2013
- Confined spaces - winery vessels
  Hazard alert on how work at a winery can expose individuals to life-threatening situations.
  English 02/21/2014
- Engulfment and suffocation in grain bins
  Hazard alert on engulfment and suffocation in grain bins.
  English 10/03/2011
- Garbage truck - Lockout/Tagout failure
  Hazard alert on lockout/tagout failure for garbage trucks.
  English 08/07/2013
- Garbage trucks to empty dumpsters
  There are hazards associated with rear-loading trash trucks used to empty dumpsters when the dumpster's trunnion bars are not properly secured and other safety precautions are not made during the emptying process.
  English 12/09/2003
- Temporary enclosures around equipment containing hazardous substances
  Employers and employees should be aware of, and manage, hazards related to temporary enclosures that are erected around equipment containing hazardous substances. In some instances, the enclosure might not even be in physical contact with equipment, but could be near enough to contain hazards.
  English 05/30/2002
References
- Rules with requirements
  We get many calls and emails from employers asking the same question. It begins: “Which of your rules have requirements for…” You can finish the sentence with words like “recordkeeping,” “employee training,” and “written documents.” To answer those questions, we’ve organized these rules requirements into a filterable, sortable, searchable table.
  English 05/10/2019
Reports
- Confined Spaces Comparison Document, Oregon OSHA Administrative Order 6-2012, effective 4/1/2013
  Oregon OSHA Comparison Document for Confined Spaces Administrative Order 6-2012, adopted 9/28/2012, effective 4/1/2013
  English 09/28/2012

Education and training

Online course
- Confined Spaces online course
  This Confined Spaces training program covers practices intended to protect workers from the hazards of working in a confined space.
  English Online course

Workshop
- Confined Spaces Safety
  Instructor Guide English 01/26/2015
- Confined Spaces Safety
  Workbook English 02/04/2015
- Confined Spaces Safety
  PowerPoint slides for Confined Spaces Safety education workshop.
  Overhead English 02/24/2020

Rules and rule-related

Advisory Committee

Confined Space

Adopted Rules
- Rules to Reduce Manganese Permissible Exposure Limit; Cross-References Welding Rules with Other Standards Including Confined Spaces
  Administrative Order 11-2021
- Text of Adopted Rules to Reduce Manganese Permissible Exposure Limit; Cross-References Welding Rules with Other Standards Including Confined Spaces
  Administrative Order 11-2021
Final Rules
- Division 2, Subdivision J, General Environmental Controls (includes Lockout/Tagout, Confined Spaces)
  Administrative Order 6-2021 Word version
- Division 2, Subdivision L, Fire Protection
  2-2017 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision C, General Safety and Health Provisions
  2-2013 Word version
- Division 4, Subdivision J, Work Environment
  Administrative Order 8-2021 Word version
Interpretations
- Carbon monoxide gas formation in closed dairy equipment
  05/14/2015
- Confined spaces standard - delay of enforcement for new provisions
  07/03/2013
- Entry rescue
  11/25/2007
- Fall protection in confined spaces
  10/09/2012
- Rescue work in confined spaces
  07/24/2013
- Retrieval systems
  07/24/2013
- Train the trainer
  07/24/2013
- Using PVC for general ventilation
  11/25/2007
Program Directives
- Citations: Paperwork and Written Program Violations
  Purpose: The purpose of this instruction is to revise and clarify Oregon OSHA's policy regarding issuance of citations for violation of "paperwork" and "written program" requirements.
  A-216 05/06/2016
- Confined Spaces and Permit Required Confined Spaces in General Industry and Construction
  Purpose: This instruction establishes enforcement policy and provides explanation of the standard to ensure uniform enforcement.
  A-062 12/31/2014
Summary of comments and decisions
- Summary of comments and agency decisions regarding proposed changes to confines spaces in Division 2 General industry and Division 3 Construction Administrative Rules
  5-2014
- Summary of comments and agency decisions regarding proposed changes to confines spaces in Division 2 General industry and Division 3 Construction Administrative Rules
  6-2012

Video Resources

Borrow from the Resource Center

Confined Space
See available titles
Borrow DVDs about Confined Space from the Resource Center

Watch Online

English
- Trench cave-in
  An Oregon OSHA compliance officers happened by this jobsite without trench shoring, and recorded his request to have the worker get out of the unsafe trench. Moments after that conversation started, the trench collapsed.
  English Length: 1:31 minutes

Additional Resources

Highlights

publication cover
Confined spaces and permit spaces