Confined workspaces is a term motor carriers might associate solely with tanker operations, but in truth, confined spaces can be any area that is not necessarily designed for people but is large enough for workers to enter and perform certain jobs.
A confined space is not designed for continuous occupancy and has limited or restricted means for entry or exit, such as a service pit in the shop. In CFR Part 1910.146, OSHA defines a permit-required confined space as a contained space meeting one of these characteristics:
Confined spaces can increase the risk of injury or death if a worker becomes trapped or incapacitated inside the space. Some of the hazards that may exist inside a confined space include:
Motor carriers should implement a comprehensive confined space entry program to mitigate these hazards. This can include:
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive.
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