WHAT IS A CONFINED SPACE?
Many workplaces contain spaces that are considered “confined” because their configurations
hinder the activities of employees who must enter, work in and exit them. For a space to be
considered a confined space, it must meet the following criteria.
– Is large enough for a person to enter and perform work
– Has limited means of entry or exit
– Is not designed for continuous human occupancy
“Entry” is defined when any part of the body breaks the plane of the opening in a permit-required
confined space.
WHAT IS A PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE?
Permit required confined spaces (PRCS) meet the confined space definition and have one or more
of these characteristics:
– Contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere
– Contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant
– Has an internal configuration that might cause an entrant to be trapped or asphyxiated by
inwardly converging walls or by a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross
section
– Contains any other recognized serious safety or health hazards
WHAT IS A NON-PERMIT REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE?
A non-permit required confined space meets confined space definition, but:
– Has adequate ventilation
– Does not contain any hazards that can cause death or harm
– There is absolutely no potential for a hazardous atmosphere
