Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
A 60-day enforcement policy, effective August 3, postpones enforcement of OSHA’s new Confined Spaces in Construction standard until October 2, in response to requests for additional time to train and acquire equipment necessary for compliance.
During the temporary enforcement period, OSHA will not issue citations to employers who make good faith efforts to comply with the new standard. Employers must be in compliance with either the existing confined spaces standard or the new standard’s training requirements; those who fail to train employees consistent with either standard will be cited. Factors indicating good faith compliance efforts include scheduling employee training per new standard requirements; ordering the equipment necessary to comply with the new standard; and, taking alternative measures to educate and protect employees from confined space hazards.
OSHA issued the Confined Spaces in Construction final rule in early May, noting how it provides construction workers with protections similar to peers in manufacturing and general industry, with some differences tailored to construction sites. The standard includes requirements to ensure multiple employers share vital safety information and continuously monitor hazards.
Related article
OSHA harmonizes confined space rule for general industry, construction sites