Employer Responsibilities

Employers are responsible for keeping workers safe when working in a confined space. The employer has specific responsibilities, as follows:

• Identify the confined space.
• Determine whether any confined space will require entry by a worker, either in scheduled work activities or because of foreseeable system failures or other emergencies.
• Assign responsibility for supervision to a person who is adequately trained to supervise the job before any worker enters a confined space.
• If a confined space exists at a workplace but no worker entry is required, the employer must ensure that each point of access to the confined space is secured against entry. The space can be marked by a sign or other effective means that indicates the nature of the hazard and the prohibition of entry, and instructs workers not to enter.
• Ensure only authorized workers enter a confined space.
• Ensure that all confined space hazards are eliminated or minimized and that work is performed in a safe manner. This mean ensuring that pre-entry testing and inspection is conducted based on the written procedures.
• Follow precautions and enforce standard operating procedures.
• Before a worker is required or permitted to enter a confined space, the employer must prepare and implement a written confined space entry program.

To learn more about Confined Space Competent Person/Supervisor visit our Confined Space Competent Person/Supervisor Online Training web page.