Confined Spaces

Chapter 296-809, WAC

Effective Date: 05/01/04

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Scope

WAC 296-809-100

 For printing

• This chapter applies to all confined spaces and provides requirements to protect employees from the hazards of entering and working in confined spaces. This chapter applies in any of the following circumstances:

- You have confined spaces in your workplace.

- Your employees will enter another employer’s confined spaces.

- A contractor will enter your confined spaces.

- You provide confined space rescue services

• You can use Table 1 to help you decide which requirements to follow for confined spaces.

Table 1
Requirements for Confined Spaces

For confined spaces that are

 

The requirements in the following sections apply
200
300
400
500
600
700

Permit-required confined spaces
X
X
X
X
X
X

Entered by a contractor
X
X
X
X
X
X

Non-permit confined spaces
X

 

 
 
  
X

Never entered
X

 

       

If you only

           

Use alternate entry procedures
X
X
X
  
X
  

Have a contractor enter your space

X

 

 

 

 

 

Are a rescue service provider

 

X

X

X

 

 

 

Definition:

A confined space is a space that is all of the following:

- Large enough and arranged so an employee could fully enter the space and work.
- Has limited or restricted entry or exit. Examples of spaces with limited or restricted entry are tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, excavations, and pits.
- Not primarily designed for human occupancy.

Helpful Tool:

Rules in Other Chapters that Cover Confined Spaces
Rules in other chapters that cover confined spaces may also apply to your work. You can find a list of these rules in the Resources section of this chapter.

Note:

  • Requirements in other chapters may apply to your work. You will find some safety and health requirements are addressed on a broad level in this chapter, while being addressed for a specific application in another rule. When this happens, both requirements apply and shouldn't conflict. When a conflict does occur, you need to follow the more specific requirement.
  • If you are uncertain which requirements to follow, contact your local Labor and Industries (L&I) office.
  • For a complete list of local L&I offices, see the Resources section of the Safety and Health Core Rules, chapter 296-800 WAC.