In a recent Trade Release OSHA announced 60-day delay in enforcing the new Confined Spaces in Construction standard.  Here is my earlier blog on the new standard.  Full enforcement will not begin until October 2, 2015.

Craig Martin, Construction Attorney, Lamson Dugan & Murray, LLP

During this 60-day temporary enforcement period, OSHA will not issue citations to employers who make good faith efforts to comply with the new standard. Employers must be in compliance with either the training requirements of the new standard or the previous standard. Employers who fail to train their employees consistent with either of these two standards will be cited.

Factors that indicate employers are making good faith efforts to comply include:

  • scheduling training for employees as required by the new standard;
  • ordering the equipment necessary to comply with the new standard; and
  • taking alternative measures to educate and protect employees from confined space hazards.

Take Away: You have 60 more days, but it’s time to get your training on this new standard going to avoid OSHA penalties.