OSHA regulations for confined space entry in construction sites, detailed in 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA, necessitate a comprehensive permit-required confined space program. This program is essential for protecting employees from hazards associated with confined spaces. Key aspects include preventing unauthorized entry, identifying and evaluating hazards, and establishing safe entry procedures. [1] [1] [1]

The procedures and practices for safe permit space entry include:

• Specifying acceptable entry conditions
• Providing opportunities for authorized entrants to observe monitoring or testing
• Isolating the permit space and physical hazards
• Purging, inerting, flushing, or ventilating the space to control atmospheric hazards. Note: If the atmosphere cannot be reduced below 10 percent LFL, the employer must inert the space, ensure employees use appropriate PPE, and eliminate or isolate all physical hazards.
• Ensuring monitoring procedures can detect increases in atmospheric hazard levels if ventilation fails
• Providing barriers to protect entrants from external hazards
• Verifying acceptable entry conditions throughout the entry duration and ensuring appropriate PPE is used

[1] [1] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2] Further requirements include:

• Providing and maintaining necessary equipment at no cost to employees
• Evaluating permit space conditions before and during entry
• Testing for oxygen levels, combustible gases, and toxic gases
• Providing entrants the opportunity to observe testing and monitoring
• Reevaluating the permit space if there are indications the initial evaluation was inadequate
• Providing entrants with testing results
• Providing at least one attendant outside the permit space
• Designating roles for entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, and testers
• Providing training to all personnel involved in entry operations

[2] [7] [5] [5] [5] [5] [5] [3] [3] Additional safety measures include:

• Developing procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services and preventing unauthorized rescue attempts
• Implementing a system for the preparation, issuance, use, and cancellation of entry permits
• Coordinating entry operations when multiple employers are involved
• Developing procedures for concluding the entry after operations are completed
• Reviewing entry operations and the permit space program to correct deficiencies

[3] [3] [3] [3] [8] The entry permit must identify:

• The permit space to be entered
• The purpose of the entry
• The date and authorized duration of the entry
• The authorized entrants
• The names of attendants
• Hazards within the space
• Measures used to isolate hazards and control the space
• Acceptable entry conditions
• Results of initial and periodic tests
• Rescue and emergency services and how to summon them
• Communication procedures
• Equipment to be provided
• Any other information to ensure employee safety
• Any additional permits, such as for hot work

[4] [4] [4] [4] [6] [6] [6] [6] [6]