WAC 296-809-70002   Follow these requirements when classifying a confined space as a nonpermit confined space.  

     You must:

     • Make sure the confined space meets these conditions to be classified as nonpermit confined spaces:

     – The confined space does not contain an actual or potential hazardous atmosphere.

     – The confined space does not contain hazards capable of causing death or serious physical harm. This includes any recognized health or safety hazards including engulfment in solid or liquid material, electrical shock, or moving parts.

     – If you must enter to remove hazards, the space must be treated as a permit-required confined space until hazards have been eliminated.

Note:	• Controlling atmospheric hazards through forced air ventilation does not eliminate the hazards.
	• You should evaluate the use of lockout-tagout, as covered in chapter 296-803 WAC, to determine if using it fully eliminates the hazard.
	• You are allowed to use alternate entry procedures covered in WAC 296-809-600, if you can demonstrate that forced air ventilation alone will control all hazards in the space.

     You must:

     • Document how you determined the confined space contained no permit-required confined space hazards. Certify this documentation with the following:

     – Date.

     – Location of the space.

     – Signature of the person making the determination.

     • Make the certification available to each entrant, or their authorized representative.

Note:

This certification must be completed every time a permit-required confined space is reclassified as a nonpermit space.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, 49.17.060. 07-03-163, § 296-809-70002, filed 1/24/07, effective 4/1/07; 04-03-081, § 296-809-70002, filed 1/20/04, effective 5/1/04.]