An OSHA Inspector, Essay Example

I don’t completely agree with the OSHA inspector’s point of view. OSHA’s standards for confined spaces are founded upon OSHA 29CFR 1910.146.  This OSHA standards states that the area is required to have warning signs which are clearly posted. The statement by the OSHA inspector does not state that signs had been posted. In addition, as per the OSHA regulation, the confined space must have enough space for the personnel to gain access and work.  A confined space is not planned for continuous employee occupancy [OSHA 29CFR 1910.146].

The definitions for a permit required space are that the atmospheric conditions are such which would require the employee to be aware that there were hazardous materials and that the material can cause engulfment to anyone who enters the confined space.  The space must also fill the criteria of having a point which restricts the employee’s ability of exiting. This can be attributed to the dimensions of the wall or the floor. Was  the accident incurred in a space where the employee had no previous awareness or authorization of the hazards? Although the fourth standards for a confined space may be met, the employee must have the authorization from the management to be within the confined space when the accident took place [OSHA 29CFR 1910.146].

If the employee were authorized to be in the confined space and the proper labels were required to have been placed within the confined space, I would agree with the statement which had been made by the OSHA inspector. What if the employee went into a phone book and had an accident. Does that qualify as a confined space? Yes. Is a permit required for the employee to be in the phone booth? No, unless there were some hazard which could be experienced by the employee [OSHA 29CFR 1910.146].

Reference

OSHA (2014).Permit required confined spaces. OSHA. https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3138.html