Confined and Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres in Shipyard Employment

In the July 25, 1994, Federal Register OSHA published a revised standard for Shipyard Employment, subpart B of 29 CFR part 1915, extending the previous requirements for work in explosive and other dangerous atmospheres on ships to cover all work involving confined or enclosed spaces or other dangerous atmospheres throughout shipyard employment (59 FR 37816). With the present document, OSHA is making corrections to the rule which include: clarifying the order of testing before employees may enter a confined or enclosed space or other dangerous atmosphere; clarifying when flammable atmospheres must be maintained above the upper explosive limit during installation of ventilation or rescue; and clarifying the limited locations and conditions where hot work may be performed without first being certified by a Marine Chemist. Several typographical errors are also being corrected.