[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 37 (Friday, February 26, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11796-11802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04044]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. OSHA-2017-0014]


Standard on Confined Spaces in Construction; Extension of the
Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Approval of Information
Collection (Paperwork) Requirements

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: OSHA solicits public comments concerning the proposal to
extend the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval of the
information collection requirements contained in the Confined Spaces in
Construction Standard.

DATES: Comments must be submitted (postmarked, sent, or received) by
April 27, 2021.

ADDRESSES:
    Electronically: You may submit comments, including attachments,
electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking
Portal. Follow the instructions online for submitting comments.
    Docket: To read or download comments or other material in the
docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov. Documents in the docket are
listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index; however, some
information (e.g., copyrighted material) is not publicly available to
read or download through the website. All submissions, including
copyrighted material, are available for inspection through the OSHA
Docket Office. Contact the OSHA Docket Office for assistance in
locating docket submissions.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and the
OSHA docket number for this Federal Register notice (OSHA-2017-0014).
OSHA will place comments and requests to speak, including personal
information, in the public docket, which may be available online.
Therefore, OSHA cautions interested parties about submitting personal
information such as Social Security numbers and birthdates. For further
information on submitting comments, see the ``Public Participation''
heading in the section of this notice titled SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Seleda Perryman or Theda Kenney,
Directorate of Standards and Guidance, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor,
telephone (202) 693-2222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Department of Labor, as part of a continuing effort to reduce
paperwork and respondent (i.e., employer) burden, conducts a
preclearance process to provide the public with an opportunity to
comment on proposed and continuing information collection requirements
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)). This program ensures that information is in the


desired format, the reporting burden (time and costs) is minimal, the
collection instruments are clearly understood, and OSHA's estimate of
the information collection burden is accurate. The Occupational Safety
and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) (29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.) authorizes
information collection by employers as necessary or appropriate for
enforcement of the OSH Act, or for developing information regarding the
causes and prevention of occupational injuries, illnesses, and
accidents (29 U.S.C. 657). The OSH Act also requires OSHA to obtain
such information with a minimum burden upon employers, especially those
operating small businesses, and to reduce to the maximum extent
feasible unnecessary duplication of effort in obtaining said
information (29 U.S.C. 657).
    The Standard specifies several information collection requirements.
The following sections describe who uses the information collected
under each requirement, as well as how they use it. Employers and
employees would use these information collection requirements when they
identify a confined space at a construction worksite. The purpose of
the information would permit employers and employees to systematically
evaluate the dangers in confined spaces before entry is attempted, and
to ensure that adequate measures have been implemented to make the
spaces safe for entry. In addition, the information collection
requirements of the Standard specify requirements for developing and
maintaining a number of records and other documents. Further, OSHA
compliance safety and health officers would need the information to
determine, during an inspection, whether employers are complying with
the requirements.

29 CFR 1926.1203--General Requirements

29 CFR 1926.1203(b)(1)--Informing Employees of Permit Required Confined
Spaces Dangers
    Paragraph (b)(1) requires employers who identify a permit required
confined space (PRCS) to post danger signs or take other equally
effective means to inform employees of the existence and location of,
and the danger posed by, permit spaces. The note following paragraph
(b)(1) provides an example of the content of the optional danger sign.
29 CFR 1926.1203(b)(2)--Informing Controlling Contractors and
Employees' Authorized Representatives About PRCS Hazards
    Paragraph (b)(2) requires employers to inform, in a timely manner
and in a manner other than posting, the employees' authorized
representatives and the controlling contractor, of the hazards of
confined spaces and the location of those spaces.
29 CFR 1926.1203(d)--Written Permit Space Program
    Paragraph (d) requires any employer that has employees who will
enter a confined space to have and implement a written permit confined
space program and to make the program available for inspection by
employees and their representatives. Employers may write detailed
permit space programs, while making the entry permits associated with
the written programs less specific than the programs, provided the
permits address the hazards of the particular space; conversely, the
program may be less specific than the entry permit, in which case the
employer must draft a detailed permit.
29 CFR 1926.1203(e)(1)(v) and 1926.1203(e)(2)(ix)--Alternate Procedure
Documentation and Availability
    Paragraph (e)(1) sets forth the six conditions that an employer
must meet before the employees can enter a permit space under the
alternate procedures specified in paragraph (e)(2).
    Paragraph (e)(1)(v) requires employers to document the initial
conditions before entry, including the determinations and supporting
data required by paragraphs (e)(1)(i) through (e)(1)(iii) of the
Standard (develop monitoring \1\ and inspection data that supports the
demonstrations required by paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii), i.e.,
the elimination or isolation of physical hazards such that the only
hazard in the space is an actual or potential hazardous atmosphere, and
that continuous forced-air ventilation is sufficient to maintain the
space safe for entry), and make this documentation available to
employees who enter the spaces under the alternate procedures, or to
their authorized representatives.
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    \1\ In this context, the final rule uses ``monitoring'' to match
the general industry language, and the term encompasses both the
initial testing of atmosphere and the subsequent measurements.
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    In addition, paragraph (e)(2)(ix) requires the employer to verify
that the permit space is safe for entry and that the employer took the
measures required by paragraph (e)(2) (the procedures that employers
must follow for permit space entries made under paragraph (e)(1)). The
verification must be in the form of a certification that contains the
date, the location of the space, and the signature of the certifying
individual. The employer must make the alternate procedure
documentation of paragraphs (e)(1)(v) and (e)(2)(ix) available to
entrants or to their employees' authorized representatives before
entry.
29 CFR 1926.1203(e)(2)(viii)--Written Approval for Job-Made Hoisting
Systems
    Paragraph (e)(2)(vii) allows for the use of job-made hoisting
systems if a registered professional engineer approves these systems
for personnel hoisting prior to use in entry operations regulated by
Sec.  1926.1203(e). Unlike the proposed rule, the final rule requires
an engineer's approval to be in writing to ensure that the
specifications and limitations of use are conveyed accurately to the
employees implementing the job-made hoist, and that the approval can be
verified.
29 CFR 1926.1203(g)(3)--Certification of Former Permit Spaces as Non-
Permit Spaces
    Paragraph (g)(3) requires an entry employer seeking to reclassify a
space from permit to non-permit status to document the basis for
determining that it eliminated all permit space hazards through a
certification that contains the date, the location of the space, and
the signature of the certifying individual. In addition, the employer
must make the certification available to each employee entering the
space or his or her authorized representative. A reevaluation aimed at
reestablishing compliance with paragraph (g) will involve the
demonstrations, testing, inspection, and documentation required in
paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(3). The employer must substantiate all
determinations so that employers, employees, and the agency have the
means necessary to evaluate those determinations and ensure compliance
with the conditions that would enable the employer to conduct entry
operations using the alternate procedures specified by Sec.  1926.1203
following reclassification.
29 CFR 1926.1203(h)--Permit Space Entry Communication and Coordination
    In paragraph (h), OSHA designates the controlling contractor,
rather than the host employer, as the information hub for confined
spaces information-sharing and coordination because the


controlling contractor's function at a construction site makes it
better situated than the host employer (assuming that the host employer
is not also the controlling contractor) to contribute to and to
facilitate a timely and accurate information exchange among all
employers who have employees involved in confined space work. On a
construction worksite, the controlling contractor has overall authority
for the site and is best situated to receive and disseminate
information about the previous and current work performed there.
29 CFR 1926.1203(h)(1)--Pre-Entry Duties of Host Employer
    Paragraph (h)(1) requires the host employer to share with the
controlling contractor information that the host has about the location
of known permit spaces, the hazards or potential hazards in each space
or the reason it is a permit space, and any previous steps that it
took, or that other employers took, to protect workers from the hazards
in those spaces.
29 CFR 1926.1203(h)(2)--Pre-Entry Information-Sharing Duties of
Controlling Contractors
    OSHA requires controlling contractors to obtain the information
specified in paragraph (h)(1) from the host employer (i.e., the
location of permit spaces, the known hazards in those spaces, and
measures employed previously to protect employees in that space). Then,
before permit space entry, it must relay that information to any entity
entering the permit space and to any entity whose activities could
foreseeably result in a hazard in the confined space. (See paragraph
(h)(2)(ii).) The controlling contractor must also share any other
information that it has gathered about the permit space, such as
information received from prior entrants.
29 CFR 1926.1203(h)(2)(i)--Controlling Contractor Obtains Information
From Host Employer
    Paragraph (h)(2)(i) requires the controlling contractor to obtain
from the host employer, before permit space entry, available
information regarding permit space hazards and previous entry
operations.
29 CFR 1926.1203(h)(2)(ii)--Controlling Contractor Provides Information
to Entities Entering a Permit Space and Other Entities at the Worksite
    Paragraph (h)(2)(ii)(A) and (B) require the controlling contractor,
before entry operations begin, to share with the entrants, and any
other entity at the worksite whose activities could foreseeably result
in a hazard in the permit space, the information that the controlling
contractor received from the host employer, as well as any additional
information the controlling contractor has about the topics listed in
paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (iii) (i.e., the location of permit
spaces, the hazards in those spaces, and any previous efforts to
address those hazards).
    Paragraph (h)(2)(ii)(C) requires the controlling contractor, before
entry operations begin, to share with each specified entity any
precautions or procedures that the host employer, controlling
contractor, or any entry employer implemented earlier for the
protection of employees working in permit spaces.
29 CFR 1203(h)(3)--Pre-Entry Information-Sharing Duties of Entry
Employers
    This provision sets forth the information-exchange requirements for
entry employers.
29 CFR 1926.1203(h)(3)(i)
    Paragraph (h)(3)(i) requires an entry employer to obtain
information about the permit space entry operations from the
controlling contractor, and works with paragraph (h)(2), which requires
the controlling contractor to share information about permit-space
entry operations with the entry employer.
29 CFR 1926.1203(h)(3)(ii)
    Paragraph (h)(3)(ii) requires an entry employer to inform the
controlling contractor of the permit space program that the entry
employer will follow, including information about any hazards likely to
be confronted or created in each permit space. This exchange must take
place prior to entry to ensure that the controlling contractor is
informed of all the hazards in a timely manner and can take action, if
needed, to prevent an accident or injury before entry operations begin.
29 CFR 1926.1203(h)(4)--Coordination Duties of Controlling Contractors
and Entry Employers
    Paragraph 1203(h)(4) requires controlling contractors and entry
employers to coordinate permit space entry operations in two
circumstances: (1) When more than one entity performs entry operations
at the same time, or (2) when permit space entry is performed at the
same time that any activities that could foreseeably result in a hazard
in the permit space are performed.
29 CFR 1926.1203(h)(5)--Post-Entry Duties of Controlling Contractors
and Entry Employers
    Paragraph (h)(5)(i) requires the controlling contractor to debrief
each entity that entered a permit space, at the end of entry
operations, about the permit space program followed, and any hazards
confronted or created in the permit space(s) during entry operations,
and then, as required by paragraph (h)(5)(iii), relay appropriate
information to the host employer. Paragraph (h)(5)(ii) requires the
entry employer to share the same information with the controlling
contractor in a timely manner.
29 CFR 1926.1203(i)--Absence of a Controlling Contractor
    Paragraph (i) provides that, in the event no employer meets the
definition of a controlling contractor on a particular worksite, the
host employer or other employer that arranges for permit space entry
work must fulfill the information exchange and coordination duties of a
controlling contractor.

29 CFR 1926.1204--Permit Required Confined Space Program

    The agency requires each employer with employees who will enter a
permit space to have and implement a written permit space program at
the construction site (with the exception of ventilation-only entries
conducted in accordance with Sec.  1926.1203(e)). Also see discussion
of 29 CFR 1926.1203(d) and 29 CFR 1926.1212(a), requirements that
pertain to the written program.
    As required elements of the written program, OSHA considers all
provisions of Sec.  1926.1204 to be information collection
requirements: e.g., paragraphs (a) (implementation of the measures
necessary to prevent unauthorized entry); (b) (identification and
evaluation of the hazards of PRCSs); (c) (safe permit space entry
operations); (d) (equipment); (e) (evaluation of PRCS conditions during
entry operations); (f) (attendant required); (g) (attendant emergency
procedures); (h) (designation of entry operation duties); (i)
(summoning rescue and emergency services procedures); (j) (system for
cancellation of entry permits, including safe termination of entry
operations); (k) (entry operation coordination procedures); (l) (entry
operation conclusion procedures); (m) (entry operation review); and (n)
(permit space program review). In addition, some provisions of Sec.
1926.1204 constitute information collection requirements for reasons
other than inclusion in the written program, as described below.


29 CFR 1926.1204(c), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k) and (l))--Development of
Procedures
    Paragraph 1926.1204(c) requires an employer to develop procedures
needed to facilitate safe entry operations into permit spaces. The
subparagraphs in (c) provide specific elements of the required
procedures that employers must include in the permit program:
Identifying safe entry conditions that employers must meet to initiate
and conduct the entry safely (paragraph (c)(1)); providing each
authorized entrant with the opportunity to observe monitoring or
testing (paragraph (c)(2)); isolating the PRCS (paragraph (c)(3));
purging, inerting, flushing, or ventilating the permit space (paragraph
(c)(4)); ensuring that monitoring devices will detect an increase in
atmospheric hazard levels in the event that the ventilation system
malfunctions, and to do so in adequate time for employees to safely
exit the space (paragraph (c)(5)); providing barriers to protect
entrants from external hazards (paragraph (c)(6)); verifying that
conditions are acceptable for entry and preventing employees from
entering the permit space with a hazardous atmosphere unless
demonstrating that personal protective equipment (PPE) will be
effective for each employee (paragraph (c)(7)); and eliminating any
conditions that could make it unsafe to remove an entrance cover
(paragraph (c)(8)). Before entry is authorized, each entry employer
must document the completion of these measures by preparing an entry
permit, as required by paragraph 1926.1205(a).
    Under paragraphs (g) through (l), entry employers are also required
to develop procedures for: Having an attendant respond to emergencies
affecting multiple permit spaces monitored (paragraph (g)); specifying
employees' name, confined space entry roles and duties (paragraph (h));
summoning rescue and emergency services, rescuing entrants from permit
spaces, providing necessary emergency services to rescued employees,
preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue (paragraph
(i)); cancelling entry permits (paragraph (j)); coordinating entry
operations (paragraph (k)); and for terminating an entry permit and
entry operations (paragraph (l)).
29 CFR 1926.1204(c)(3) and 1203(e)(1)(i)--Lockout/Tagout
    Paragraphs (c)(3) and (e)(1)(i) (for PRCSs using alternate
procedures) require tagging in accordance with the definition of
``isolate'' or ``isolation'' (see paragraph 1202), which requires
employers to ``lockout or tagout . . . all sources of energy.''
29 CFR 1926.1204(e)(6)--Providing Testing and Monitoring Results to
Employees
    Paragraph (e)(6) requires each entry employer to immediately
provide the results of any testing conducted in accordance with
paragraph 1204 to each authorized entrant or that employee's authorized
representative.
29 CFR 1926.1204(m)--Review of Entry Operations and Revision of
Procedures When Inadequate
    Paragraph (m) requires each entry employer to review the permit
space program whenever the procedures are inadequate, and to revise
those procedures when necessary.
29 CFR 1926.1204(n)--Annual Review of Written Program
    Paragraph (n) requires each entry employer to review the permit
space program at least every year and make revisions to the procedures
as necessary. This provision requires an employer to review cancelled
permits within one year after each entry.

29 CFR 1926.1205--Permitting Process

    An employer conducting a permit space entry must post an entry
permit outside the permit space to document the employer's efforts to
identify and control conditions in that permit space. Section 1205 sets
forth the required process for establishing entry permits and Sec.
1926.1206 sets forth the required specific information that must be
identified on the permit.
29 CFR 1926.1205(a)--Preparing an Entry Permit
    Paragraph (a) requires each entry employer to prepare, prior to
entry into a PRCS, an entry permit containing all the information
specified in Sec.  1926.1204(c) (practices and procedures for ensuring
safe entry).
29 CFR 1926.1205(b) and 1926.1210(b)--Signing the Permit
    Paragraph (b) requires the entry supervisor to sign the permit
before entry begins. Similarly, paragraph 1926.1210(b) requires the
entry supervisor to verify that the employer performed all tests
specified by the entry permit, and that all procedures and equipment so
specified are in place before he or she may sign the permit and allow
entry. The paragraph also specifies that the entry supervisor must
verify this information by checking that the corresponding entries made
on the permit.
29 CFR 1926.1205(c)--Posting the Permit
    Paragraph (c) requires an employer to make the completed entry
permit available to all authorized entrants, or their authorized
representatives, at the time each employee enters the space, by posting
it at the entry portal or by any other equally effective means, so that
entrants can confirm that pre-entry preparations have been
accomplished.
29 CFR 1926.1205(f)--Retaining the Permit
    Paragraph (f) requires the employer to retain each entry permit for
at least 1 year to facilitate the review of the permit required by
paragraph 1926.1204(n) of the Standard. Any problems encountered during
an entry operation must be noted on the pertinent permit so that
appropriate revisions to the permit space program can be made.
Employers should list the problems encountered during entry resulting
in the cancellation or suspension of a permit on the entry permit.

29 CFR 1926.1206--Entry Permit

    An employer conducting a permit space entry must post an entry
permit outside the permit space to document the employer's efforts to
identify and control conditions in that permit space (see Sec.
1926.1205(c)).
29 CFR 1926.1206 (a)-(p) and 29 CFR 1926.1209(c)--Contents of the
Permit
    Paragraphs 1926.1206(a)-(p) and 1926.1209(c) set forth the
information which must be identified on the permit. Paragraph (a)
requires the employer to identify the permit space workers are planning
to enter. Paragraph (b) requires the employer to record the purpose of
the entry. This information must be sufficiently specific, such as
identifying specific tasks or jobs that employees are to perform within
the space, to confirm that the employer considered performance of each
specific construction activity in the hazard assessment of the PRCS.
Paragraph (c) requires the employer to record the date and authorized
duration of the planned entry. Paragraph (d) and paragraph 1209(c)
require the employer to record the identity of the authorized entrants
so that the attendant is capable of safely overseeing the entry
operations. Employers can meet this requirement by referring in the
entry permit to a system such as a roster or tracking system used to
keep track of who is currently in the PRCS. Under paragraph (e), when a
permit program requires ventilation, OSHA requires employers to ensure
that they have a monitoring system in place


that will alert employees of increased atmospheric hazards in the event
the ventilation system stops working. (See Sec.  1926.1204(c)(5).) This
provision requires the employer to record the means of detecting an
increase in atmospheric-hazard levels if the ventilation system stops
working. Paragraph (f) requires the employer to record the names of
each attendant required to be stationed outside each permit space for
the duration of entry operations. Paragraph (g) requires the employer
to record the name of each employee currently serving as entry
supervisor. Paragraph (h) requires the employer to record the hazards
associated with the planned confined space entry operations. This list
must include all hazards, regardless of whether the employer protects
the authorized entrants from the hazards by isolation, control, or PPE.
Paragraph (i) requires the employer to record the measures used to
isolate or control the hazards prior to entry. Paragraph (j) requires
the employer to specify the acceptable entry conditions. Paragraph (j)
also requires employers, when applicable, to provide the ventilation
malfunction determinations made in paragraph (c)(5) of Sec.  1926.1204.
Paragraph (k) requires the employer to record the dates, times, and
results of the tests and monitoring performed prior to entry, and the
names or initials of the individual/s who performed each test.
Employers also must include the initial entry monitoring results on the
entry permit; these results serve as a baseline for subsequent
measurements. Paragraph (l) requires the employer to identify the
rescue and emergency services required by the Standard, and the means
by which these services will be summoned when needed. In some cases, an
employer must include pertinent information, such as communication
equipment and emergency telephone numbers, on the permit to
sufficiently identify the means by which the rescue services will be
summoned. Paragraph (m) requires the employer to record all the methods
of communication used by authorized entrants and attendants during
entry operations. Paragraph (o) requires the employer to record any
additional information needed to ensure safe confined space entry
operations. Paragraph (p) requires the employer to record information
about any other permits, such as for hot work, issued for work inside
the confined space. If the employer identifies additional permits,
these additional permits may be, but are not required to be, attached
to the entry permit.

29 CFR 1926.1207(d)--Training Records

    Under paragraph (d), employers must maintain training records. In
addition, the employer record must contain the names of each employee
trained, the trainer's name, and the dates of training, and the
employer must make these records available for inspection by employees
and their authorized representatives for the period of time that the
employee is employed by the employer. This documentation can take any
form that reasonably demonstrates the employee's completion of the
training.

29 CFR 1926.1208--Duties of Authorized Entrants

29 CFR 1926.1208(c)) and 29 CFR 1926.1208(d)--Communicate With
Attendant
    Paragraph (c) requires an employer to ensure that an authorized
entrant communicates effectively with the attendant to facilitate the
assessment of entrant status and timely evacuation as required by Sec.
1209(f).
    Paragraph (d) requires an employer to ensure that an authorized
entrant alerts the attendant whenever one of the following
circumstances in paragraphs 1926.1208(d)(1)-(2) arises: (1) There is a
warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation; or (2)
the entrant recognizes a prohibited condition. In some instances, a
properly trained authorized entrant may be able to recognize and report
his/her own symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, or slurred speech,
and take the required action. In other cases, the authorized entrant,
once the effects begin, may be unable to recognize or report them. In
these latter cases, this provision requires that other, unimpaired,
authorized entrants in the PRCS, who employers must properly train to
recognize signs, symptoms, and other hazard exposure effects in other
authorized entrants, report these effects to the attendant.

29 CFR 1926.1209--Duties of Attendants

29 CFR 1926.1209(e)--Communicate With Authorized Entrants
    Paragraph (e) requires the attendant to communicate with authorized
entrants as necessary to assess and keep track of the entrants' status
and to notify entrants if evacuation under paragraph 1926.1209(f) of
the Standard is necessary. Use of the word ``assess'' connotes an
interactive duty in which the attendant may ask questions of the
entrant, or ask the entrant to perform a task so that the attendant can
evaluate the entrant's status.
29 CFR 1926.1209(f)--Order Evacuation
    Paragraph 1926.1209(f) requires the attendant to assess the
activities and conditions inside and outside the space to determine if
it is safe for entrants to stay in the space. OSHA requires the
attendant to evacuate the permit space under any of the four
``conditions'' listed in paragraphs 1926.1209(f)(1) through (f)(4): (1)
The attendant notices a prohibited condition, (2) the attendant
identifies the behavioral effects of hazard exposure in an authorized
entrant, (3) there is a condition outside the space that could endanger
the authorized entrants, or (4) the attendant cannot effectively and
safely perform the duties required under Sec.  1926.1209. If the
attendant notices a condition or activity outside the space not
addressed by the entry coordination procedures, then the attendant or
entry supervisor could, directly or through the controlling contractor,
seek to correct the condition or stop the activity (such as described
in the above example). If the attendant cannot address the situation
immediately, then the attendant must order the entrants to evacuate the
permit space until the employer resolves the problem.
29 CFR 1926.1209(g)--Summon Rescue Services
    Paragraph (g) requires the attendant to call upon rescue and other
emergency services as soon as he or she decides that authorized
entrants may need assistance to escape from permit space hazards.
29 CFR 1926.1209(h)--Entry Employer Duties
    Paragraph (h) requires the attendant to take the actions specified
in Sec.  1926.1209(h)(1) through (h)(3) to prevent unauthorized persons
from entering a permit space while entry is taking place.
29 CFR 1926.1209(h)(1)--Warn Non-Authorized Entrants to Stay Away
    If someone other than an authorized entrant happens to approach the
PRCS, paragraph (h)(1) specifies that the attendant must make that
individual aware that he/she must stay away from the PRCS. Some
construction sites may be accessible to the public, so the attendant
also would be responsible for warning members of the public who may
attempt to enter a permit space at the site.
29 CFR 1926.1209(h)(2)--Advise Non-Authorized Entrants to Exit the PRCS
Immediately
    Paragraph (h)(2) requires the attendant, should an unauthorized


person enter the PRCS, to advise him/her to exit the space immediately.
29 CFR 1926.1209(h)(3)--Notify the Entry Supervisor of Unauthorized
Persons in the PRCS
    Paragraph (h)(3) requires the attendant to notify the entry
supervisor, along with the authorized entrants, of unauthorized persons
who have entered the PRCS.

29 CFR 1926.1210--Duties of Entry Supervisors

    Paragraph (b) is described above in the discussion of paragraph
1926.1205(a). Paragraph (d) is described below in the discussion of
paragraph (c).

29 CFR 1926.1211--Rescue and Emergency Services

29 CFR 1926.1211(a)(1) and (a)(2)--Assess Prospective Rescue Service's
Response Abilities
    Paragraph (a)(1) requires an employer to assess a prospective
rescue service's ability to respond to a rescue summons in a timely
manner. Paragraph (a)(2) requires an employer to assess a prospective
rescue service's ability to provide adequate and effective rescue
services. In evaluating a prospective rescue provider's abilities, the
employer also must consider the willingness of the service to become
familiar with the particular hazards and circumstances faced during the
permit space entries. Paragraphs (a)(4) and (a)(5) of Sec.  1926.1211
require the employer to provide the designated rescuers with
information about the confined spaces and access to those spaces to
allow the rescuers to develop appropriate rescue plans and to perform
rescue drills.
29 CFR 1926.1211(a)(4)--Communicate With Rescue Services
    Paragraph (a)(4) requires an employer to inform the designated
rescue service of the known hazards associated with the permit space in
the event that a rescue becomes necessary. To meet the requirements of
this provision, the employer would have to inform the rescue service
prior to issuing a permit that the employer selected the service to
rescue the employees in the event of an emergency, and that the
employer is relying on the rescue services to perform these rescues
when necessary. Compliance with this paragraph, as well as with
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, often requires the
employer to provide this information to the rescue service immediately
prior to each permit space entry. Similarly, if an entry involves
hazards not usually encountered by the rescue service, or hazards or a
configuration that would require the rescue service to use equipment
that it does not always have available, then the employer would have to
notify the rescue service of these hazards and conditions prior to
beginning the entry operation.
29 CFR 1926.1211(a)(5)--Develop a Rescue Service Plan
    Paragraph (a)(5) requires an employer to provide the designated
rescue team or service with access to all permit spaces from which the
rescue may need to perform a rescue so that the rescue team or service,
whether in-house or third party, can develop appropriate rescue plans.
29 CFR 1926.1210(d) and 29 CFR 1926.1211(c)--Confirm Rescue Service
Availability
    If an entry employer determines that it will use non-entry rescue,
it must confirm, prior to entry, that emergency assistance will be
available in the event that non-entry rescue fails. Likewise, paragraph
(d) requires the entry supervisor to verify that rescue services are
available, and that the means for obtaining such services are operable.
29 CFR 1926.1211(d)--Provide Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to Treating
Medical Facilities
    Paragraph (d) requires an employer to provide relevant information
about a hazardous substance to a medical facility treating an entrant
exposed to the hazardous substance if the substance is one for which
the employer must keep a SDS or other similar information at the
worksite.

29 CFR 1926.1212--Employee Participation

29 CFR 1926.1212(a)--Consult With Employees/Authorized Representatives
on Development and Implementation of a Written Program
    Paragraph (a) requires employers to consult with affected employees
and their authorized representatives in the development and
implementation of the written permit space program required by Sec.
1926.1203.
29 CFR 1926.1212(b)--Employee Access
    Paragraph (b) requires that affected employees and their authorized
representatives have access to all information developed under this
standard. Other sections of this standard already specifically require
that employers make information available to employees and their
representatives. These provisions include Sec. Sec.  1926.1203(d)
(written program); 1926.1203(e)(1)(v) and (e)(2)(ix) (alternate
procedure certification); 1926.1203(g) (reclassification
certification); 1926.1204(e)(6) (monitoring and testing results);
1926.1205(c) (completed permit); and 1926.1207(d) (training records).

29 CFR 1926.1213--Disclosure

    Paragraph 1926.1213 requires an employer, who must retain
documentation under the Standard, to make this information available to
the Secretary of Labor, or a designee, upon request. The request from
the Secretary or the Secretary's designee (for example, OSHA) may be
either oral or written.

II. Special Issues for Comment

    OSHA has a particular interest in comments on the following issues:
     Whether the proposed information collection requirements
are necessary for the proper performance of the agency's functions,
including whether the information is useful;
     The accuracy of OSHA's estimate of the burden (time and
costs) of the information collection requirements, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     The quality, utility, and clarity of the information
collected; and
     Ways to minimize the burden on employers who must comply--
for example, by using automated or other technological information
collection and transmission techniques.

III. Proposed Actions

    The agency requests approval for an adjustment increase of
47,047.02 burden hours (from 660,103 to 707,150.02) to adjust for an
increase in the estimated number of affected employers. For the same
reason, the agency also requests approval for an increase of $82,670.19
in capital costs (from $1,017,859 to $1,100,529.19) for signs, tags,
and gas monitors.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Title: Confined Spaces in Construction (29 CFR part 1926 subpart
AA).
    OMB Control Number: 1218-0258.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profits.
    Number of Respondents: 32,510.
    Frequency: Initially; Annually; On occasion.
    Average Time per Response: Varies.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 4,426,655.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 707,150.02.
    Estimated Cost (Operation and Maintenance): $1,100,529.19.


IV. Public Participation--Submission of Comments on This Notice and
Internet Access to Comments and Submissions

    You may submit comments in response to this document as follows:
(1) Electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, which is the Federal
eRulemaking Portal; (2) by facsimile (fax); or (3) by hard copy. Please
note: While OSHA's Docket Office is continuing to accept and process
submissions by regular mail, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Docket
Office is closed to the public and not able to receive submissions to
the docket by hand, express mail, messenger, and courier service. All
comments, attachments, and other material must identify the agency name
and the OSHA docket number for the ICR (Docket No. OSHA-2017-0014). You
may supplement electronic submissions by uploading document files
electronically. If you wish to mail additional materials in reference
to an electronic or facsimile submission, you must submit them to the
OSHA Docket Office (see the section of this notice titled ADDRESSES).
The additional materials must clearly identify electronic comments by
your name, date, and the docket number so that the agency can attach
them to your comments.
    Due to security procedures, the use of regular mail may cause a
significant delay in the receipt of comments.
    Comments and submissions are posted without change at http://www.regulations.gov. Therefore, OSHA cautions commenters about
submitting personal information such as social security numbers and
dates of birth. Although all submissions are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index, some information (e.g., copyrighted
material) is not publicly available to read or download through this
website. All submissions, including copyrighted material, are available
for inspection and copying at the OSHA Docket Office. Information on
using the http://www.regulations.gov website to submit comments and
access the docket is available at the website's ``User Tips'' link.
Contact the OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693-2350, (TTY (877) 889-5627)
for information about materials not available through the website, and
for assistance in using the internet to locate docket submissions.

V. Authority and Signature

    Amanda L. Edens, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Occupational Safety and Health, directed the preparation of this
notice. The authority for this notice is the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506 et seq.) and Secretary of Labor's Order No. 1-2012
(77 FR 3912).

    Signed at Washington, DC, on February 19, 2021.
Amanda L. Edens,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2021-04044 Filed 2-25-21; 8:45 am]
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