We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

logo
  • Engineers & Specifiers
  • Contractors & Installers
  • Wholesalers & Distributors
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Subscription
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • PRODUCTS
    • Bath & Kitchen
    • Fire Protection
    • HVAC
    • Hydronics/Radiant
    • Plumbing
    • PVF
    • Tools
  • PROJECTS
    • Commercial
    • Green Building
    • MRO/Retrofit
    • Remodeling
    • Residential
  • HOW TO
    • Design
    • Fire Protection
    • Legal Matters
    • Management
  • BUSINESS
    • Buying Groups
    • Technology
    • Associations
  • CODES & STANDARDS
    • ANSI
    • ASHRAE
    • ASSE
    • Regulations
    • Green Building
    • IAPMO
    • ICC
    • NFPA
  • RESOURCES
    • Media Kit
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Classifieds
    • Digital Editions
    • Behind the Wall
    • Webinars
    • AHR Live 2023
  • PODCASTS
  • DIGITAL EDITIONS
Home » Revised standard on confined space available this summer

Revised standard on confined space available this summer

May 20, 2016
No Comments

Confined space entry can expose workers to a multitude of hazards, ranging from poor air quality, fire and residual chemicals, to noise, entanglement, temperature extremes and uncontrolled energy. Standards such as OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 and ANSI/ASSE Z117.1, Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces, aim to help employers address these hazards, with Z117.1 providing the most comprehensive guidance.

The latest revision of the widely used Z117.1 consensus standard (which will be renamed Safety Requirements for Entering a Confined Space) is nearly complete and is expected to be available this summer. While the Z117 Accredited Standards Committee has made many updates during this process, Tim Fisher, ASSE’s director of standards, points to two changes in particular that will likely have the greatest effect on OSH practice in the field.

“The first involves identifying and evaluating a confined space,” he says. “The committee saw the need to shift the focus from coordination to comprehensive management of the space, which requires a different mind-set.” According to Fisher, from an implementation perspective, OSH professionals using this standard will need to be more proactive when it comes to identifying and classifying the sites for which they are responsible.

The second significant revision involves the standard’s training requirements, which have been clarified and strengthened. “The training content places much greater emphasis on ensuring that trainees know how to use the information presented, both before and during an entry operation,” Fisher explains.

When talking to management about using a consensus standard like Z117.1, OSH professionals may encounter resistance, especially if the company already complies with 1910.146.

To counter these arguments, Fisher advises OSH professionals to focus on the fact that Z117.1 surpasses the federal standard in several ways. “Complying with OSHA’s standard will give an employer a bare-bones program,” Fisher says, “but Z117.1 provides much more detail on critical areas such as training, rescue, use of instruments, and proactive evaluation of both permit-required and non-permit-required confined spaces.”

He also reports that the standard contains technical information and guidance that is not addressed by regulation and/or in other documents. Rescue operations are one example. “National data indicate that too many workers are injured or killed during confined space rescue operations,” Fisher says. “The Z117.1 guidance on rescue provides a proven base from which any company can develop effective rescue plans and procedures.”

Source: The American Society of Safety Engineers

 

 

Business Contractors & Installers Industry Community News
  • Related Articles

    Sign Up for MCAA OSHA Confined Space Training​

    Confined Space Safety Tales: A Safety Pro Walks Into A Vodka Distillery

    OSHA extends enforcement delay on confined spaces for residential construction

  • Related Products

    Directory Listing - Premium

  • Related Events

    Council for Research on Distributor Best Practices “Digitizing the Sales Process” Consortium

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular

  • SLB Announces Newmans Valve as NEWCO Valve Supplier for Western Hemisphere

  • Duravit Announces New Hires and Promotions

  • PVF Roundtable Annual Golf Tournament Registration Now Open

  • Chicago Plumber’s Union Dyes Chicago River Green for St. Patrick’s Day 2023

Featured Video

Caleffi video thumb

The Gold Standard: Separation with NO Compromise

Industry Events

  • 11Apr

    ASA ELEVATE2023

    Charleston, SC
  • 18Apr

    2023 WQA Convention & Exposition

    Las Vegas, NV
  • 18Apr

    2023 AD Decorative Brands Annual Meeting

    Boston, MA
More Events

Subscribe to our newsletters & stay updated

Subscribe & Learn More

  • Tw03 2023 cover
    Learn More
  • Pe03 2023 cover
    Learn More
  • Phc03 2023 cover
    Learn More
  • Es 2022
    Learn More
Subscribe

More from PHCP Pros

  • Editorial Team
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise

Follow Us

© 2023 All Rights Reserved

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development | ePublishing