Many workplaces contain spaces which are considered "confined" because their configurations hinder the activities of any employees who must enter, work in, and exit them. For example, employees who work in process vessels generally must squeeze in and out through narrow openings and perform their tasks while cramped or contorted. For the purposes of this rulemaking, OSHA is using the term "confined space" to describe such spaces. In addition, there are many instances where employees who work in confined spaces face increased risk of exposure to serious hazards. In some cases, confinement itself poses entrapment hazards. In other cases, confined space work keeps employees closer to hazards, such as asphyxiating atmospheres or the moving parts of a mixer, than they would be otherwise. For the purposes of this rulemaking, OSHA is using the term "permit-required confined space" (permit space) to describe those spaces which both meet the definition of "confined space" and pose health or safety hazards.
The OSHA standard on Permit-Required Confined Spaces (permit spaces) (29 CFR 1910.146)
provides for enhanced employee participation in the employer's permit space
program provide authorized permit space entrants or their authorized
representatives with the opportunity to observe any testing or monitoring of
permit spaces and strengthen and clarify the criteria employers must satisfy
when preparing for the timely rescue of incapacitated permit space entrants.