DES PLAINES, Ill. — Developed to reduce confined space injuries, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) has announced American National Standard Z117.1-2003, “Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces.” The newly revised standard establishes the minimum safety requirements for confined space operations, which include personal protection equipment, safeguarding, confined space permits, and emergency response plans.

Recently approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), it is a revision of the 1995 standard. The new standard includes confined space information such as definitions, identification, and evaluation; permit and non-permit requirements; atmospheric testing; isolation and decontamination; lockout/tagout; warning sign requirements; and personal protection equipment. The standard also includes an appendix providing sample permits, surveys, and evaluations.

Publication date: 04/21/2003