What are the safety concerns when a worker enters a pipeline, tank, underground vault, pit, process vessel, manhole, silo, storage bin, or similar environment? Answering that question is central to confined spaces training.
Our training guide covers the key points of this essential occupational health and safety topic:
To understand what a confined space is, we can look to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA’s General Industry and Construction regulations state that this type of space has these three characteristics:
Examples that OSHA provides for these types of spaces include the following:
A permit space, short for permit-required confined space, is a term used by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). As its name implies, it is mandatory to have official permits for these areas.
A permit-required confined space meets one or more of the following four characteristics:
Confined spaces training is an instructional course on confined spaces. It allows employees who work in or near these spaces to stay safe. It is also a compliance effort that helps an organization protect itself legally and financially.
These training programs help workers take OSHA standards and apply them to appropriate situations. Key elements of OSHA confined spaces training include (but are not limited to) answering the following questions:
By addressing the above questions and others, providing OSHA confined spaces training helps your workers understand the biological, chemical, and physical aspects of maintaining safety.
OSHA confined spaces training must meet the following parameters per the regulations (1910.146, “Permit-Required Confined Spaces” ):
There must be a training program in place that educates workers who have job activities near or within confined spaces. Training ensures they have the necessary understanding to protect themselves and others.
Workers must get the training at all of the following times:
An employer should perform OSHA confined spaces training certification to determine that training occurs in all the above scenarios. The training program must ensure that workers are competent in all aspects of confined space safety. The employer must adjust their confined spaces activities to maintain compliance (based on any issues revealed during training).
OSHA confined spaces training certification must be performed to verify the completion of the program by all workers who come into contact with these spaces. Each employee’s name must be contained within the certification, along with training dates and the trainer’s signature (or initials). Both employees and anyone authorized to represent them must have access to these certifications as desired.
A separate aspect of OSHA compliance that needs to occur before training is that you need to create procedures related to confined spaces; that way, you can train using them as a basis. Plus, you must create and put into place rescue and emergency services – which involves designating those individuals who are authorized to perform a rescue from confined spaces and perform the emergency treatment. These individuals must be appropriately trained as to how to conduct these services safely and effectively.
Rescue and emergency individuals must be trained on how to use the personal protective equipment (PPE) to which they are entitled under the OSHA regulations. They must be trained on how to perform rescues. They must also be instructed in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic first aid. At least one individual must hold certification in CPR and first aid on the rescue and emergency team.
Authorized entrants to confined spaces must know the following:
Additional information is needed for the training of attendants and entry supervisors, as described within Section 1910.146.
Yes. OSHA mandates that training be provided to affected employees.
OSHA does not establish how often this training must recur. Typically, specialists in the industry suggest instruction be performed annually or biannually.
You do need to make sure two related activities occur every twelve months:
Failing to comply with confined space training requirements can lead to stringent penalties and significant financial implications for businesses. For example, under OSHA regulations, serious violations can result in fines of up to $14,502 per violation. Even more severe consequences can arise from willful or repeated violations, with fines reaching up to $145,027 per violation. These are not just theoretical numbers; companies across various industries have faced such penalties.
In a notable case, an Illinois grain facility faced fines exceeding $200,000 after exposing employees to unsafe conditions in a confined space, highlighting the grave financial and human costs of inadequate safety practices.
These examples underscore the tangible risks and repercussions of neglecting confined space training. Beyond financial penalties, the indirect costs of such incidents — including increased insurance premiums, legal fees, and potential compensation claims — can further escalate the financial burden on businesses. Moreover, the reputational damage and loss of trust from employees and the public can have long-lasting impacts on a company’s success and sustainability.
The primary goal of the course of your confined space should be that participants walk away with the following knowledge:
Do you need confined spaces training for your company? At AOTC, our staff has extensive experience providing compliance training services to a range of clients across a spectrum of industries. Contact us for a customized, on-site confined space training program to ensure your company is protected.