WAC 296-809-20002   Identify permit-required confined spaces.  

     IMPORTANT:

     If your workplace contains only nonpermit confined spaces and your employees do not enter another employer's confined space, you may follow only the requirements in:

     – WAC 296-809-200, Identifying and controlling permit-required confined spaces; and

     – WAC 296-809-700, Nonpermit confined space requirements.

     • See the resources section for other chapters covering confined spaces that may apply to your work.

     You must:

     • Identify all permit-required confined spaces in your workplace.

     • Assume any confined space is a permit-required confined space, unless you determine the space to be a nonpermit confined space.

     – If you enter the space to determine the hazards, follow the requirements in WAC 296-809-500, Permit entry procedures.

     – If you evaluate the confined space and there are no potential or actual hazards, you can consider it to be a nonpermit confined space.

     ▪ Document your determination that the space is nonpermit, as required by WAC 296-809-700.

     Definitions:

     A permit-required confined space or permit space is a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics capable of causing death or serious physical harm:

     – Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere.

     – Contains a material with the potential for engulfing someone who enters the space.

     – Has an internal configuration that could allow someone entering to be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor, which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section.

     – Contains any physical hazard. This includes any recognized health or safety hazards including engulfment in solid or liquid material, electrical shock, or moving parts.

     – Contains any other recognized safety or health hazard that could either:

     • Impair the ability to self rescue;

     OR

     • Result in a situation that presents an immediate danger to life or health.

     A nonpermit confined space is a confined space that does NOT contain actual hazards or potential hazards capable of causing death or serious physical harm.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 04-03-081, § 296-809-20002, filed 1/20/04, effective 5/1/04.]