|
U.S. Department of Labor | May 1, 2015
Construction
protections now match those in manufacturing and general industry
WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration today issued a final rule to increase protections for construction workers in confined spaces.
Manholes, crawl
spaces, tanks and other confined spaces are not intended for continuous
occupancy. They are also difficult to exit in an emergency. People working in
confined spaces face life-threatening hazards including toxic substances,
electrocutions, explosions and asphyxiation.
Last year, two
workers were asphyxiated while repairing leaks in a manhole, the second when he
went down to save the first – which is not uncommon in cases of asphyxiation in
confined spaces.
“In the
construction industry, entering confined spaces is often necessary, but
fatalities like these don’t have to happen,” said Secretary of Labor Thomas E.
Perez. “This new rule will significantly improve the safety of construction
workers who enter confined spaces. In fact, we estimate that it will prevent
about 780 serious injuries every year.”
The rule will provide construction workers with protections
similar to those manufacturing and general industry workers have had for more
than two decades, with some differences tailored to the construction industry.
These include requirements to ensure that multiple employers share vital safety
information and to continuously monitor hazards – a safety option made possible
by technological advances after the manufacturing and general industry
standards were created.
“This rule will save lives of construction workers,” said
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David
Michaels. “Unlike most general industry worksites, construction sites are
continually evolving, with the number and characteristics of confined spaces
changing as work progresses. This rule emphasizes training, continuous worksite
evaluation and communication requirements to further protect workers’ safety
and health.”
Compliance assistance material and additional information is
available on OSHA’s Confined
Spaces in Construction Web page.
Under the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for
providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role
is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by
setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and
assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
###
Media Contacts:
Laura McGinnis, mcginnis.laura.k@dol.gov,
202-693-4653
Lauren North, north.lauren.a@dol.gov,
202-693-4655
Release Number: 15-819-NAT
| 
