Confined Spaces in Construction: Pits

1 FactSheet Confined Spaces in Construction: Pits Confined Spaces can present conditions that are immediately dangerous to workers if not properly identified, evaluated, tested, and controlled. This fact sheet highlights many of the Confined space hazards associated with pits and how employers can protect their workers in these environments. OSHA has developed a new construction the hazards in permit Spaces and the methods standard for Confined Spaces (29 CFR 1926 used to isolate, control or protect workers from Subpart AA) any space that meets the these hazards. Workers not authorized to perform following three criteria: entry rescues must be trained on the dangers of attempting such rescues.

2 Is large enough for a worker to enter it;. Has limited means of entry or exit; and Safe Entry Requirements Is not designed for continuous occupancy. The new Confined Spaces standard includes A space may also be a permit-required Confined several requirements for safe entry. space if it has a hazardous atmosphere, the Preparation: Before workers can enter a Confined potential for engulfment or suffocation, a layout space, employers must provide pre-entry that might trap a worker through converging planning. This includes: walls or a sloped floor, or any other serious safety or health hazard. Having a competent person evaluate the work site for the presence of Confined Spaces , Fatal Incidents including permit-required Confined Spaces .

3 Confined space hazards in pits have led to Once the space is classified as a permit- worker deaths. Several tragic incidents included: required Confined space, identifying the means of entry and exit, proper ventilation Two workers suffocated while attempting to methods, and elimination or control of all close gate valves in a valve pit. potential hazards in the space. A worker lost consciousness, fell, and was Ensuring that the air in a Confined space killed while climbing down a ladder into an is tested, before workers enter, for oxygen unventilated underground valve vault to turn levels, flammable and toxic substances, and on water valves. stratified atmospheres.

4 While replacing a steam-operated vertical If a permit is required for the space, removing pump, an equipment repair technician died or controlling hazards in the space and from burns and suffocation after falling into determining rescue procedures and necessary an industrial waste pit. equipment. Training If the air in a space is not safe for workers, ventilating or using whatever controls or The new Confined Spaces standard requires protections are necessary so that employees employers to ensure that their workers know can safely work in the space. about the existence, location, and dangers posed by each permit-required Confined space, and Ongoing practices: After pre-entry planning, that they may not enter such Spaces without employers must ensure that the space is authorization.

5 Monitored for hazards, especially atmospheric hazards. Effective communication is important Employers must train workers involved in permit- because there can be multiple contractors required Confined space operations so that they operating on a site, each with its own workers can perform their duties safely and understand needing to enter the Confined space. Attendants Construction work can create Confined Spaces , outside Confined Spaces must make sure that even if there are none at the start of a project. unauthorized workers do not enter them. Rescue Changes to the entry/exit, the ease of exit, and attempts by untrained personnel can lead to air flow could produce a Confined space or cause multiple deaths.

6 One to become permit-required. Confined Spaces in Pits Personal protective equipment: Employers Even though a pit is typically open on top and should assess the worksite to determine what over 4 feet deep, it can still be a Confined space personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed or permit-required Confined space. Additionally, to protect workers. Employers should provide pits can be completely underground or below workers with the required PPE and proper grade, such as a utility vault within a sewer training on its use and about any related hazards system or a pit within before the work starts. a pit in a wastewater How to Contact OSHA. treatment plant. For questions or to get information or advice, to find Pits are found in out how to contact OSHA's free on-site consultation many environments.

7 Program, order publications, report a fatality or Examples include severe injury, or to file a confidential complaint, visit sump pits, valve or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). pits or vaults ( , wastewater treatment plants, municipal Additional Information water systems), electrical pits/vaults, steam pits/ OSHA's Confined Spaces in Construction vaults, vehicle service/garage pits, elevator pits, Standard (29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA). dock leveler pits, industrial chemical waste pits, Confined Spaces : OSHA Construction and many more. Many of these Spaces qualify as Industry Topics by Standard permit-required Confined Spaces . OSHA Fact Sheet: Procedures for Employers must take all necessary steps to Atmospheric Testing in Confined Spaces keep workers safe in Confined Spaces , including following the OSHA Construction Confined Confined Spaces : NIOSH Workplace Spaces standard.

8 This standard applies to both Safety and Health Topics Page new construction in a pit and alterations and/or State Plan Guidance: States with OSHA- upgrades. Among the pit-related tasks covered approved state plans may have additional by the standard are: requirements for Confined space safety. Opening or closing valves during renovation Help for Small and Medium-Sized work. Employers: OSHA's On-site Consultation Installing or upgrading pump equipment, Program offers free and confidential cables, or junction boxes. advice to businesses nationwide. This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements.

9 For a comprehensive list of compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: 1-877-889-5627. DOC FS-3788 05/2015.