Host/Contractor Relationship | Permit-Required Confined Spaces

OSHA addresses the host/contractor relationship for permit-required confined space entries in §1910.146(c)(8) by requiring the parties to share information and coordinate entry procedures. If an outside contractor is hired to perform work in a confined space, it is the host employer’s responsibility to ensure that the contractor uses a written confined space program. The host employer must verify that the contractor’s workers are adequately trained in permit-required confined space entry and that they are informed of the hazards in the host’s facility as it relates to their work.
Add a note hereHost employers must provide information to contractors on:
§  Add a note hereTheir permit spaces,
§  Add a note hereThe permit space program,
§  Add a note hereEstablished procedures, and
§  Add a note hereLikely hazards that the contractor’s workers may encounter.
Add a note hereOnce work has begun, the host should routinely check that the contractor is following the agreed upon procedures.
Add a note hereThe contractor is responsible to ensure that all necessary information regarding the space, its hazards, and entry procedures are provided and that any additional hazards encountered during the work are reported to the host employer. Joint entries must be coordinated and the contractor debriefed at the conclusion of entry operations.
Add a note hereCoordination between the host and contractor should include a determination of which permit program is to be used by the contractor. The host employer is not prohibited from requiring a contractor to use the host’s permit program, nor is the contractor required to use it. But, the host employer may choose to condition its contract on the contractor’s compliance with the host’s program.
Add a note hereThe host employer and the contractor need to cooperate and make arrangements to implement a permit program best suited for a particular situation. There are a wide variety of circumstances in which contractor personnel enter permit spaces. There are circumstances in which a contractor sets up a complete permit space program at the host employer’s workplace, and there are situations in which both contractor and host employer employees are working side-by-side in a permit space.

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Entrant Retrieval


Add a note hereIf an incident occurs during a confined space entry and an entrant is not able to escape, retrieval from outside the space must be done. In this case, the attendant should call for help before operating any retrieval device.
Add a note hereIf external retrieval will be used in an emergency situation, the entrant must wear a full body harness. Wristlets are acceptable under very specific situations, but should be used as a last result. The best and safest option is to use a combination of both wristlets and full harness. Because wristlets allow for retrieval by hands-first, it is an effective method to use when the space opening is narrow.

Add a note hereRetrieval devices

Add a note hereThere are two main types of mechanical retrieval devices. One is a mounted tripod or davit arm that uses a cable mechanism to lift an entrant. This system requires low maintenance and is relatively easy for an attendant to use. The cable system is appropriate if flexibility is not required. The other retrieval device allows for flexibility, using a rope instead of cable. Disadvantages of the rope system include the increased maintenance and a higher level of difficulty to operate.

Add a note hereLifelines and other devices

Add a note hereLifelines with self-retracting features are appropriate if retrieval can be accomplished using a ladder or other similar devices. These lines help protect an entrant from falling. However, not all types of lifelines are appropriate for confined space entry because some have no capabilities for retrieval.
Add a note hereIf an entrant needs to be lowered into a space, a cable winch may be used. Manufacturers provide accessories such as tripods to complete this entry and retrieval system. A portable davit arm is also an excellent piece of equipment to use for retrieval; however, if the space is entered frequently, a fixed davit arm is more effective.
Add a note hereOther devices are available for specific confined space configurations. Horizontal entries often use column extraction systems. Forklift davit arms can be very useful in locations that are difficult to reach and field operations may require a vehicle hitch mount davit arm.

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Rescue Services | Permit-Required Confined Spaces



Add a note hereIt is up to the employer to decide whether rescue services will be provided by onsite employees or by contracting with an offsite service. OSHA expects that each employer having permit-required confined space hazards will ensure that rescue procedures are adequate, whatever means are used. Many employers rely on offsite rescue services, such as those provided by local fire departments, to handle their emergency situations. Often, however, small local fire departments are neither adequately trained nor equipped to effectively handle such an emergency. 

Add a note hereThe decision of whether to contract with an offsite emergency rescue service or to train and equip in-house personnel rests with the employer. Response time, adequate preparedness, and competence of the emergency team are the key elements in successful rescue procedures. The time lapse between the initial contact of an offsite rescue service and implementation of its rescue may be too great to save lives, while an onsite emergency team has a greater opportunity to immediately implement rescue operations.

Add a note hereAn onsite team which is appropriately trained and equipped may be able to perform more effective rescue services because team members are familiar with the facility and are closer to the spaces being entered. However, many small employers do not have the time, expertise, or personnel to develop an in-house rescue team and outside resources may be the only viable option for them. There are many factors for employers to consider when deciding whether to use an on-site or offsite rescue team.


Add a note hereOffsite rescue and emergency services

Add a note hereOSHA requires that prospective rescue services be evaluated for their proficiency with rescue-related tasks, adequate equipment, and ability to function appropriately while rescuing entrants from the employer’s particular type of permit spaces.
Add a note hereEmployers choosing to use an offsite service must evaluate the prospective rescue team or service to ensure that it:
§  Add a note hereHas the capability to reach the victim(s) within an appropriate time frame;
§  Add a note hereIs equipped for and proficient in performing the needed rescue services;
§  Add a note hereKnows the hazards they may confront when called on to perform rescue; and
§  Add a note hereHas access to all permit spaces from which rescue may be necessary so that the rescue service can develop appropriate rescue plans and practice rescue operations.


Add a note hereOnsite employee rescue and emergency services

Add a note hereEmployers that choose to train and equip their own onsite rescue team must:
§  Add a note hereProvide team members with the personal protective equipment needed to conduct rescues safely and train them to use the PPE appropriately;
§  Add a note hereTrain team members to perform assigned rescue duties;
§  Add a note hereTrain team members in basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). At least one member of the rescue team or service must hold a current certification in first aid and CPR; and
§  Add a note hereEnsure that team members practice making permit space rescues at least once every 12 months, using a space similar to the types of spaces from which rescues would be made.
Add a note hereHospitals or treatment facilities have to be provided with any material safety data sheets (MSDSs) or other information in a permit space hazard exposure situation that may aid in treatment of rescued employees.
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Training | Permit-Required Confined Spaces


Add a note hereAll employees who work in permit spaces have to be trained to understand the hazards of confined spaces and obtain the skills necessary to safely perform their assigned duties. Training must be done:
§  Add a note hereBefore the employee is first assigned duties;
§  Add a note hereBefore there is a change in assigned duties;
§  Add a note hereWhenever there is a change in operations that present a new hazard; and
§  Add a note hereWhenever there are deviations from the entry procedures or inadequacies in an employee’s knowledge are noted.
Add a note hereThe employer must certify that the training has been completed. Required training documentation includes each employee’s name, the signatures or initials of the trainers, and the dates of training.

Add a note hereEntrant duties

Add a note hereAuthorized permit-required confined space entrants are required to be knowledgeable about the space and their job tasks inside the space to successfully perform their duties which include:
§  Add a note hereKnowing the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure;
§  Add a note hereProperly use equipment;
§  Add a note hereCommunicate with the attendant;
§  Add a note hereAlert the attendant whenever:
o    Add a note hereThe entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation, or
o    Add a note hereThe entrant detects a prohibited condition; and
§  Add a note hereExit from the permit space as quickly as possible whenever:
o    Add a note hereAn order to evacuate is given by the attendant or the entry supervisor,
o    Add a note hereThe entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation,
o    Add a note hereThe entrant detects a prohibited condition, or
o    Add a note hereAn evacuation alarm is activated.

Add a note hereAttendant duties

Add a note hereAuthorized permit-required confined space attendants are required to be knowledgeable about the space to successfully perform their duties which include:
§  Add a note hereKnowing the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure;
§  Add a note hereBeing aware of possible behavioral effects of hazard exposure in entrants;
§  Add a note hereContinuously maintain an accurate count of entrants and ensure that the entrants are accurately identified;
§  Add a note hereRemaining outside the space during entry operations until relieved by another attendant;
Add a note hereNOTE: If the entry program allows it, attendants may enter a permit space to attempt a rescue if they have been trained and equipped for rescue operations and if they have been relieved by another attendant.
§  Add a note hereCommunicating with entrants to monitor their status and to alert them to evacuate the space, if necessary;
§  Add a note hereMonitoring activities inside and outside the space to determine if it is safe for entrants to remain in the space;
§  Add a note hereOrdering entrants to evacuate the space immediately under any of the following conditions:
o    Add a note hereDetecting a prohibited condition,
o    Add a note hereNoticing the behavioral effects of hazard exposure in an entrant,
o    Add a note hereDetecting a situation outside the space that could endanger the entrants, or
o    Add a note hereDetermining that an attendant cannot effectively and safely perform all the required duties;
§  Add a note hereSummoning rescue and other emergency services as soon as it is determined that entrants may need escape assistance;
§  Add a note hereWarning unauthorized personnel to stay away from the permit space, or if they have already entered the space, tell them to exit it;
§  Add a note hereWarning entrants and the entry supervisor if unauthorized persons have entered the space;
§  Add a note herePerforming non-entry rescues, if specified by the employer’s rescue procedure; and
§  Add a note herePerforming no duties that might interfere with the attendant’s primary duty to monitor and protect entrants.

Add a note hereEntry supervisor duties

Add a note herePermit-required confined space entry supervisors are required to be knowledgeable about the space to successfully perform their duties which include:
§  Add a note hereKnowing the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure;
§  Add a note hereVerifying, by checking the entry permit, that all tests specified by the permit have been conducted and that all procedures and equipment are in place before endorsing the permit and allowing entry to begin;
§  Add a note hereTerminating the entry and cancelling the permit at the conclusion of work;
§  Add a note hereVerifying that rescue services are available and that the means for summoning them are operable; and
§  Add a note hereRemoving unauthorized individuals who enter or who attempt to enter the permit space during entry operations.
Add a note hereSupervisors also must determine, at least when shifts and entry supervisors change, that the acceptable conditions specified in the permit continue.

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