OSHA #511 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry course

What must be true for a space to be classified as a permit-required confined space?

1. It must have a continuous employee occupancy

2. It must present a potential hazardous atmosphere or engulfment

3. It must be accessible from all sides

4. It must have sufficient lighting and ventilation

The correct answer is: It must present a potential hazardous atmosphere or engulfment

For a space to be classified as a permit-required confined space, it must meet certain criteria that indicate potential hazards. The correct answer highlights that the space presents a potential hazardous atmosphere or engulfment. This is critical because a confined space that could lead to hazards such as toxic gases, insufficient oxygen levels, or the risk of engulfment by materials poses significant risks to workers. The distinction of a permit-required confined space is essential for the implementation of safety measures and procedures. Recognizing that a space has the potential for hazardous atmospheres necessitates a permit system to ensure that appropriate precautions are taken before any employee enters the space. Other criteria, such as continuous employee occupancy or accessibility from all sides, do not define a permit-required confined space; rather, they are considerations related to other types of work environments or safety conditions. Sufficient lighting and ventilation, while important for safety, do not alone determine whether a space is permit-required. The defining characteristic revolves around the potential for hazards that could harm workers, making the recognition of those atmospheric risks paramount to ensuring safety in confined spaces.