Permit-Required Confined Spaces

A “permit-required confined space” is a potentially more dangerous area and is defined as a confined space having one or more of the following characteristics:

1.      It contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere.

2.      It contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant.

3.      It has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls, or by a floor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section.

4.      It contains any other recognized serious safety or hesrch hazard.

Are permits required for inspecting crawlspaces? For residential properties, the answer is generally no. The permit requirement pertains to commercial properties only.

Regardless of the type of property, in all circumstances, an inspector should never enter a confined space unless someone is aware of his/her location.

If an employer decides that his/her employees will enter permit-required confined spaces for any reason, the employer must develop and implement a permit-space program, as required in OSHA’s Confined-Space Standard. This applies to multi-inspector firms and includes all sub-contractors.

All employees entering confined or enclosed spaces must be trained as to the nature of the hazards involved, the necessary precautions to be taken, the use of appropriate protective and emergency equipment, and specific permit-space entry procedures.

Why is it important for residential inspectors to be aware of these rules? These considerations encourage home inspectors to think about the spaces they are about to enter because taking similar precautions can be potentially life-saving.