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retirement facility interior renovation whilst occupied

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Interior renovation or refurbishment in an occupied retirement facility or aged care residence should be managed as a live-environment construction project with vulnerable occupants, so the core approach is to separate residents from the work, identify all hazards before work starts, control dust, noise, infection, fire, and access risks during the work, and continuously review controls whenever conditions change. A documented pre-start risk assessment should cover resident vulnerability, work methods, utilities, hazardous materials, emergency arrangements, and how normal care operations will continue safely. [12] [12] [6]

Key controls for safe refurbishment in an occupied care setting:

  • Complete a written project-specific risk assessment before work starts and update it whenever the scope, location, occupants, or hazards change.
  • Phase work to keep residents, visitors, and staff separated from construction areas; relocate highly vulnerable residents away from adjacent work where needed.
  • Establish secure work zones with rigid temporary barriers where practicable, controlled access points, warning signage, and supervision to prevent unauthorized entry.
  • Maintain infection prevention and control measures by minimizing dust generation, isolating dusty work, using HEPA-filtered extraction or negative pressure where appropriate, cleaning frequently, and preventing debris tracking through occupied areas.
  • Assess building age and materials before disturbance; if asbestos-containing materials may be present, stop intrusive work until competent testing and controls are in place.
  • Control noise and vibration by scheduling the loudest work for agreed windows, notifying staff in advance, using lower-noise methods and equipment, and monitoring impacts on residents with dementia, anxiety, hearing aids, or medical needs.
  • Protect egress and fire safety at all times: never block exits, maintain fire doors and alarm coverage, control combustibles, and use hot-work permits and fire watch where applicable.
  • Manage contractors through induction, competency checks, supervision, permit-to-work, communication with facility management, and clear rules for utilities isolation, deliveries, waste removal, and emergency response.
  • Keep housekeeping standards high: remove waste promptly, control cords and trip hazards, secure tools and materials, and maintain clean, dry travel paths for residents and staff.
  • Plan for continuity of care operations, including access for medication rounds, meals, mobility aids, emergency medical response, and resident evacuation if conditions deteriorate.

[6] [12] [11] [10] [7] [7] For resident safety, the highest priority is preventing resident exposure to construction hazards. Residents in aged care may have reduced mobility, cognitive impairment, respiratory disease, sensory impairment, or dependence on staff assistance, so work areas should be physically isolated and resident routes kept simple, unobstructed, and supervised. Construction traffic, tools, stored materials, and waste must never be left where residents can access them. Any change to circulation routes, lifts, nurse-call access, or room access should be formally reviewed with facility leadership before implementation. [6] [12]

For infection prevention and dust control, use the same principles applied to hazardous dust containment: identify materials to be disturbed, avoid dust-generating methods where possible, isolate the work area, maintain containment, and clean in a way that does not re-aerosolize contaminants. In occupied care environments, dry sweeping should be avoided in favor of HEPA vacuuming or damp methods where suitable. If demolition, sanding, ceiling access, wall penetration, or flooring removal is planned, assess for asbestos and other hazardous materials before disturbance. [10] [11] [11]

For temporary barriers and isolation, barriers should be robust enough to prevent resident wandering into the work zone and to contain dust and debris. The barrier system should define the work boundary, maintain required exits, identify access points, and support negative-pressure or local extraction arrangements when dusty work is performed. Signage should clearly identify restricted areas, and only authorized workers should enter. [6] [11]

For noise management, assess both worker exposure and the effect of noise on residents. Noise can interfere with communication, alarms, care delivery, and emergency response, and in enclosed areas it may be amplified. Use quieter tools where possible, isolate noisy tasks, limit duration, communicate schedules in advance, and stop work if noise disrupts critical care, medication administration, or emergency communications. [9]

For egress and fire safety, refurbishment must not compromise evacuation capability. Maintain all exit routes, exit signage, emergency lighting, fire doors, alarm interfaces, and access for responders. If any fire protection system is impaired, implement formal impairment controls, compensatory measures, and immediate notification to facility management. Hot work should only proceed under permit, with area preparation, atmospheric checks where relevant, and post-work fire watch. [7] [1] [1]

For contractor management, treat the project as a multi-employer worksite. The facility or controlling party should communicate known hazards, resident sensitivities, infection-control expectations, emergency procedures, restricted times, and permit requirements to every contractor. Contractors should provide task risk assessments, worker training records, supervision arrangements, SDSs for hazardous products, and evidence of competency for specialized work. Daily coordination between facility management and the contractor is essential. [3] [5] [12]

A permit-to-work system is strongly recommended for high-risk refurbishment tasks in occupied care settings, even where not specifically mandated by the provided documents. At minimum, use permits for hot work, confined space entry, hazardous energy isolation, ceiling or service penetrations, live electrical work where unavoidable, and any activity that impairs fire protection, egress, medical gases, water, or critical building systems. Permits should define the work, hazards, isolations, controls, authorized persons, timing, emergency arrangements, and hand-back requirements. [5] [5] [2] [7]

If the refurbishment involves confined spaces such as pits, tanks, shafts, service voids, or similar enclosures, do not allow entry until the space is evaluated, hazards are identified, and the required controls, equipment, communications, rescue arrangements, and permit documentation are in place. Safe entry requires isolation, atmospheric testing, hazard control, trained personnel, and rescue capability. Unauthorized entry must be prevented. [13] [12] [5] [14]

  • Pre-construction survey: resident profile, adjacent occupied areas, hazardous materials, utilities, fire systems, infection risks, access routes, and emergency arrangements.
  • Written controls: construction risk assessment, infection-control risk assessment, traffic management plan, dust/noise plan, waste plan, emergency plan, and permit-to-work matrix.
  • Physical separation: sealed barriers, controlled doors, signage, protected transport routes, debris chutes or covered removal paths, and secure storage.
  • Environmental controls: local extraction, HEPA filtration where needed, negative pressure for higher-risk dusty work, routine cleaning, and verification that dust is not escaping.
  • Operational coordination: daily briefings with nursing/facility staff, notice of disruptive works, restrictions during meals, medication rounds, sleep periods, and clinical activities.
  • Fire/life safety: maintain exits, alarms, compartmentation, extinguishers, and access for emergency responders; tightly control hot work and ignition sources.
  • Contractor controls: induction, competency verification, supervision, PPE, SDS availability, housekeeping, and stop-work authority if resident safety is affected.
  • Monitoring and review: inspect barriers, cleanliness, noise, air quality where indicated, permit compliance, and resident impacts; revise controls promptly when conditions change.

[11] [6] [6] [6] From a regulatory compliance perspective, the exact legal duties will depend on jurisdiction, but the consistent compliance themes are hazard assessment, worker training, PPE, housekeeping, hazardous materials control, hot-work control, contractor coordination, and protection of occupants and workers from unauthorized access and unsafe conditions. In a health-care or residential-care environment, also align the refurbishment plan with the facility's own policies and procedures for safety, infection prevention, resident handling, emergency response, and public health obligations. [4] [4] [7] [8]

In practice, maintaining safe operations during refurbishment means no control is considered complete unless it protects both workers and residents simultaneously. If dust escapes, exits are narrowed, alarms are impaired, noise disrupts care, or residents can access the work zone, the work should be stopped and the controls corrected before continuing. [6] [6]

14 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Occupational Health and Safety Code (Alberta Regulation 191/2021)

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE Index worker transportation, 275 See also hazardous energy control; pile driving equipment and practices power-fed circular saws, 380, Schedule 8, Table 1 PPE See personal protective equipment (PPE) ppm (parts per million) defined, Schedule 1, Table 2 Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection (ANSI), 229 precious and semi-precious minerals in definition of mine, 1 in definition of mine site, 1 See also mines and mine sites pregnant workers information on radiation hazards, 291(c) radiation exposure, 291.6, Schedule 12, Table 1 See also radiation exposure prescription eyewear eye protection, 229(2)-(2.3) See also eye protection primary care paramedic defined in definition of advanced first aider, 1 in definition of first aider, 1 primary care paramedic, 1 designation as first aider, 181 high hazard work, 178, 181 1(1), Schedule 2, Tables 3 and 7 See also advanced first aider; first aid and first aiders prime (explosives) defined, 1 See also detonators and detonation prime contractors in definition of first aider, 1 first aid services, supplies, equipment, 178-182 oil, gas and geothermal energy, 751.1-752.3 prime movers See powered mobile equipment privacy of business information See confidential business information (WHMIS) privacy of worker information See information access and privacy for workers processing plant, mines and mine sites defined in definition of high hazard work, Schedule 2, Table 3 in definition of mine site, 1 discard, 1 processing plant, 1 building safety, 532 first aid, high hazard work, 178, 81(1), Schedule 2, Tables 3 and 7 mine material and discards, 536, 541 See also mines and mine sites product identifier defined, 394.1 claim for disclosure exemption, 408 in definition of work site label, 394.1 See also Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) professional engineer defined, 1 in definition of specifications, 1 See also certification by professional engineer prop…

[2] Not designed to be occupied: Oregon OSHA’s guide to confined space safety

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# The permit space program and the entry permit: [redacted phone](5) (cont.) If your employees will enter a confined space that has one or more of the hazards shown in the chart on Page 6, the space is a permit space and you must prepare a written permit space program before they enter. Entry occurs when any part of a worker's body enters the space opening. ▸ An entry permit is required if atmospheric and physical hazards cannot be controlled or eliminated. ▶ You can use alternate entry procedures to enter a permit space if all physical hazards can be eliminated and all atmospheric hazards can be eliminated or controlled with continuous forced air ventilation. ## Requirements for a written permit space program ## A written permit space program must include: ▸ A procedure for issuing an entry permit ▸ Provisions for training employees about the written program and entry permits ▸ Measures taken to prohibit unauthorized employees from entering permit spaces ▸ The roles of entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, rescuers, and those who test or monitor the atmosphere in the space ▸ Provisions for training employees about their roles ▸ Duties of designated employees ▸ Instructions for identifying and evaluating hazards ▸ Methods for eliminating or controlling hazards ▸ Instructions for using and maintaining equipment ▸ Instructions for coordinating entry with another employer ▸ Procedures for concluding entry and canceling the entry permit At fixed sites, the written program must include a list of all of your permit spaces (or the types of permit spaces if you have several of the same kind). For example, if you have sewer manholes, you do not have to include each one on the list; identify them as "sewer manholes,” describe how to recognize them, and describe the hazards that make them permit spaces. Employees must have access to the written pemit space program before entering a permit space. ## Requirements for the entry permit The entry permit descr…

[3] Safety and Health Regulations for Construction (OSHA 29 CFR 1926) - 1926.1204 - Permit-required confined space program

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# Isolating the permit space and physical hazard(s) within the space; (cont.) ## 1926.1204(d) (cont.) uses that equipment properly: 1926.1204(d)(1) Testing and monitoring equipment needed to comply with paragraph (e) of this section; - 1926.1204(d)(2) Ventilating equipment needed to obtain acceptable entry conditions; - 1926.1204(d)(3) Communications equipment necessary for compliance with §§ 1926.1208(c) and 1926.1209(e), including any necessary electronic communication equipment for attendants assessing entrants' status in multiple spaces; 1926.1204(d)(4) Personal protective equipment insofar as feasible engineering and work-practice controls do not adequately protect employees; Note to paragraph (d)(4). The requirements of subpart E of this part and other PPE requirements continue to apply to the use of PPE in a permit space. For example, if employees use respirators, then the respirator requirements in $ 1926.103 (Respiratory protection) must be met. - 1926.1204(d)(5) Lighting equipment that meets the minimum illumination requirements in $ 1926.56, that is approved for the ignitable or combustible properties of the specific gas, vapor, dust, or fiber that will be present, and that is sufficient to enable employees to see well enough to work safely and to exit the space quickly in an emergency; - 1926.1204(d)(6) Barriers and shields as required by paragraph (c)(4) of this section; 1926.1204(d)(7) Equipment, such as ladders, needed for safe ingress and egress by authorized entrants; 1926.1204(d)(8) Rescue and emergency equipment needed to comply with paragraph (i) of this section, except Submit Feedback

[4] Not designed to be occupied: Oregon OSHA’s guide to confined space safety

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# Key sections of Oregon OSHA's confined space rule: [redacted phone] (cont.) ## Hazardous atmospheres (cont.) Air-monitoring equipment: Trained employees can use an air-monitoring meter to test for hazardous atmospheres. However, they must first calibrate the meter and use it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Inaccurate instruments can expose workers to excessive levels of toxic gas or an oxygen- deficient atmosphere. The only way to guarantee that an instrument will detect gas accurately is to test it. "Bump test" your air-monitoring meter every day - before you use it. A bump test verifies that an air- monitoring meter is properly calibrated. You perform a bump test by exposing the meter to a known concentration of test gas. Compare the instrument reading to the actual quantity of gas present. If the instrument's response is within an acceptable tolerance range of the actual concentration, then the meter is calibrated properly. A site safety officer uses an air-quality monitor. ## Physical hazards Physical hazards come in many different forms and can cause death or serious physical harm. Examples include: ▸ Access problems. In an emergency, entrants may not be able to exit quickly. ▸ Absorbed chemicals. Chemicals can be absorbed through the skin or other tissues or membranes such as the eyes. ▸ Corrosive chemicals. Corrosive chemicals can cause severe eye or skin damage if exposed work- ers are not wearing protective clothing or eyewear. ▸ Falling objects. Objects can fall into the space because topside openings are unguarded or improperly guarded. ▸ Illumination problems. Poor lighting makes it difficult for workers to enter, work in, and exit a permit space. ▸ Inwardly converging surfaces. Inwardly converg- ing walls and downward sloping floors that taper to a smaller cross section can trap a worker. ▸ Material that could trap or bury a person. Loose materials drawn from the bottom of storage bins can suffocate or bury a worker. Liq…

[5] Occupational Health and Safety Code (Alberta Regulation 191/2021)

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE Index hazard class, 408 safety data sheets, 404 Hazardous Products Regulations (Canada) labels required, 398(2) laboratory samples, 403 hazardous waste defined, 394.1 identification of waste, 396 storage and handling, 396 training of workers, 396 WHMIS not to apply, 395(3)(c) headwear, 234-239 defined protective headwear, 1 all-terrain vehicles, 236 alternative means of protection, 239 bicycles, 235 bump hat, 238 duty to use, 228, 234 exemptions, 239 firefighters, 237 industrial headwear, 234, 235, 238 motorcycles, 236 motorized trail bike, 236 rope access work, industrial, 831-833 rope access work, non-industrial, 844-846 skates, 235 small utility vehicles, 236 snow vehicles, 236 standards, 234, 235 See also decontamination of workers; hearing protection devices; personal protective equipment (PPE); respiratory protective equipment health and safety committee See joint health and safety committee; joint health and safety committee, representatives Health and Safety Executive of Great Britain (HSE) OEL measurements, 20(1)(c) health and safety orientation oil, gas and geothermal energy, 751.1 health assessments for exposure to asbestos, silica or coal dust contents of report, 40(2) costs, 40(11), 40(13) frequency of assessments, 40(6)-(8) information to worker, 40(3) performed during work hours, 40(12) privacy of information, 40(5) refusal by worker, 40(9)-(10) retention of records, 40(4) See also asbestos; coal dust; silica (respirable crystalline silica) health assessments for exposure to lead blood lead level test, 43 See also lead and lead compounds Health Canada National Dose Registry, 1, 291.5(1)(d) standards for radiation exposure, 291.2, Schedule 12, Table 4 WHMIS exemption from disclosure, 409-410 health care defined biohazardous material, 1 health care facility, 1 load, 208(4) medical sharp, 1 musculoskeletal injuries, 1 parenteral contact, 1 safe patient/client/resident handling, 1 safety engineered medical sharp, 1…

[6] Not designed to be occupied: Oregon OSHA’s guide to confined space safety

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# Introduction Confined spaces are harmless as long as they are not occupied. However, when workers enter a confined space to inspect equipment, fix leaks, or do construc- tion work, they can encounter toxic gases, corrosive chemicals, flammable solvents, or machines that start unexpectedly. If something goes wrong, a con- fined space can be difficult or impossible to exit. Also would-be rescuers can share the fate of those they were trying to rescue. This guide explains how to identify confined spaces and how to protect general-industry and construction workers who may need to enter them. ## About Oregon OSHA's confined space rule Oregon OSHA's confined space rule - [redacted phone] - protects general industry and construction industry employees who enter confined spaces that have seri- ous or life-threatening hazards. ## What [redacted phone] requires you to do: ► Survey your workplace to identify confined spaces and permit spaces ▸ Inform employees about the location of the permit spaces and the hazards associated with those spaces ▸ Keep unauthorized employees out of the spaces ► Prepare a written permit space program to protect employees who must enter a permit space ▸ Include a catalog of your permit spaces in your written program that describes why they are per- mit spaces ▸ Ensure that any equipment is used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and that your employ- ees who use the equipment have been trained ▸ Ensure that employees who work around permit spaces are trained so they understand the presence, location, and hazards associated with the spaces, and they are aware of your permit space program ▸ Have a signed agreement with another rescue service provider if your employees will not provide rescue services ## Exceptions to [redacted phone] The rule does not apply to: ▸ Construction work covered in Subdivision 3/P, Excavations (except for existing and new sanitary sewers connected to an existing sanitary sewer). ▸ Constru…

[7] Occupational Health and Safety Code (Alberta Regulation 191/2021)

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE Index operator requirements, 64 personnel hoists, 96 pile hoisting, 286 protection from falling objects, 318 building shaft hoist or tower hoist, 318(7)(a) hoist cage in underground shaft, 318(7)-(8) overhead safeguard, 318(1)-(2) specifications, safeguard, 318(4)-(5) warning signs and devices, 318(3) rated load capacity, 62 remote controls, 72(3) repairs and modifications, 73 rigging protection, 296 safety latches, 303 signal systems, 64(2), 71 standards personnel hoists, 96 on suspended scaffolds, 341(6) tag lines, 70 tower and building shaft hoists certification by engineer, boom, 99 design, 99 protective enclosure, 98 safeguards, 318(7)(a) underground mines, 749.1 unsafe lift prevention, 66 vehicle hoists safe use, 113 standards, 112 winching operations, 114 See also material hoists; rigging; roofer's hoists; underground shaft hoist holes See openings and holes hooks damaged hooks, rejection criteria, 309 safety hooks on safety nets, 320(1)(b) safety latches, 303 snap hooks, standards for fall arrest system, 143(1) hoppers safeguards and warnings, 316 See also confined and restricted spaces horizontal lifeline systems defined, 1 installation of, 153-153.1 See also anchors; personal fall arrest system (PFAS); travel restraint system horns falling objects warnings, 318(3) See also warning devices and alarms horses, raising and maintenance of application of Code, 1.1 horticultural tractors, 270-271 rollover protective structures, 270 seatbelts and restraint systems, 271 See also powered mobile equipment hoses pile driving equipment, restraining hoses and connections, 287 restraining hoses and piping, 188 sliding prohibited, 756 specifications and certifications, 188 hospital in definition of health care facility, 1 See also health care facility hot taps defined, 1 hot tap plans, 170(1)-(2) precautions, 170(4) procedures, 170(3) See also fire and explosion hazards hot work defined, 1 permits, 169(2)(a) preparation of location…

[8] Asbestos - Control Strategies for Workplaces

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# Asbestos - Control Strategies for Workplaces (cont.) ## What are good practices when working with asbestos? (cont.) - Before leaving the work area, workers must decontaminate their protective clothing by using a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter, or by damp wiping, before removing the protective clothing. If the protective clothing will not be reused, the clothing should be placed in a container as described above. Workers must wash their hands and face before leaving the work area. The employer must provide adequate wash facilities. - A double locker facility is often used to assist workers with cleaning up after working with asbestos, particularly after medium- to high-risk operations. A "double locker" requires two locker rooms with showers between. Using double locker rooms allows workers remove asbestos contaminated clothes in one locker room, then shower off asbestos contaminants, then use the second locker area to keep their street clothes. Double locker rooms are required in certain jurisdictions. Controlling the spread of dust beyond the work area is critically important so that people outside of the work area are not exposed to asbestos fibres. The specific controls to achieve this vary from using polyethylene sheeting barriers for low-risk operations, to setting up a separate ventilation system, maintained under a negative pressure for high-risk work areas. ## Are there medical monitoring requirements for workers? In many jurisdictions, regular medical monitoring is required for workers exposed to asbestos. This monitoring could include: - Medical examinations and clinical tests of a worker which may include a screening chest radiograph, a lung function test, occupational exposure history, and a health questionnaire. - Personal records to show the exposure of a worker to asbestos at the workplace, including the time-weighted average exposure of the worker and of the concentrations of asbestos. The records should also indicate how the concentra…

[9] Not designed to be occupied: Oregon OSHA’s guide to confined space safety

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# The permit space program and the entry permit: [redacted phone](5) (cont.) ## You must also develop a procedure for issuing an entry permit that describes how to: (cont.) You must review an entry permit when there is any rea- son to believe employees are not protected. Situations that require a review include: ‣ Unauthorized entry ► When a new hazard is identified ▸ When a condition prohibited by the permit occurs during entry ▸ When an injury or near miss occurs during entry ▸ When an employee reports concerns about the permit's effectiveness or the procedure for issuing the permit When you revise a permit, do not allow anyone into the affected space until the revisions are complete. ## Permit entry: [redacted phone](6) Before workers enter a permit space, you must ensure that the hazards associated with the space have been eliminated or controlled. A completed entry permit ver- ifies that hazards have been eliminated or controlled and the space is safe. The entry supervisor must certify that the space is safe to enter, sign the entry permit, and post it on the space so that authorized entrants can see it. ## Establishing safe entry conditions ## Essential conditions for safe entry include: ▸ Guarding the space. Use warning signs or barriers to keep out unauthorized people and to protect entrants from falling objects. ▸ Isolating the space. Disconnect, lock out, or tag out hazardous equipment in the space. If you lock out equipment, remember that "lock out" includes testing to ensure the lockout method works. ▸ Testing the space for hazardous atmospheres. Test the atmosphere from outside the space for all potential atmospheric hazards, which may include oxygen; flammable gases, dusts, or vapors; toxic gases or vapors; and corrosive atmospheres. Provide entrants with test results. Re-test the space if an entrant believes that initial testing was inadequate. ▸ Eliminating or controlling hazardous atmospheres. Eliminate or control the hazards in the…

[10] Confined Space Entry Permit

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# Confined space entry permit Permit date: <empty> Work shift: [ ] 1st [ ] 2nd [ ] 3rd Expires: <empty> Time started: <empty> Permit space to be entered (name and location of space): <empty> Purpose of entry: <empty> ## Names of trained, authorized individuals Emergency contact information Entry supervisor: Emergency responder: Entry attendant: Contact person: Authorized entrants: Phone number: Authorized entrants: Time: ## Pre-entry checklist Do not enter this permit space until the following "needs action" conditions are corrected: <table><tr><th>OK</th><th>Needs action</th><th></th></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>Before entering the permit space, the supervisor or designee must notify the rescue team. IDLH conditions require at least one rescue team member located outside the space.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>A minimum of two employees must be assigned to work involving permit space entry. One employee must remain outside the permit space at all times</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>The surrounding area must be surveyed to show that it is free of hazards such as drifting vapors from tanks, piping, sewers, or vehicle exhaust.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>Those responsible for operation of the gas monitor have been trained.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>Gas monitor calibration tests and functional test (fresh air calibration) have been performed this shift on the gas monitor. If so, by whom?</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>The atmosphere will be continuously monitored while the space is occupied, if required by entry procedure.</td></tr></table> <table><tr><th colspan="8">Pre-entry requirements</th></tr><tr><td>Requirements</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td><td>N/A</td><td>Requirements</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td><td>N/A</td></tr><tr><td>Lockout-tagout/de-energize</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Hot work permit</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pipes(s) broken or capped or blanked</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>Fall …

[11] Not designed to be occupied: Oregon OSHA’s guide to confined space safety

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# Equipment necessary for entering a permit space: [redacted phone](7) (cont.) ## Attendants must (cont.) An attendant can monitor more than one space at a time if the duties for one space do not interfere with duties for another space. If an attendant's attention is focused on one space - during a rescue, for example - all other spaces that the attendant is monitoring must be evacuated or another attendant must take over those duties. When unauthorized people approach or enter a permit space while entry is under way, attendants must: ▸ Warn them to stay away from the space ▸ Tell them that they must exit immediately if they have entered the space ▸ Inform the authorized entrants and the entry super- visor if unauthorized people have entered the space You can give attendants authority to remove unau- thorized people who attempt to enter a space during entry operations as long as the attendants do not enter the space. ## Entry supervisors must ▸ Know the hazards that entrants may face during entry, including the signs, symptoms, and conse- quences of exposure ‣ Understand how to control or eliminate hazards associated with the space ▸ Verify that all tests specified by the entry permit have been conducted and that all procedures and equipment specified by the permit are in place before signing the permit and allowing entry to begin ▸ Inform entrants and attendants about the hazards and conditions associated with the space and the methods used to eliminate or control the hazards ▸ Terminate the entry and cancel the entry permit as required by the entry procedure ▸ Verify that rescue service providers are available and that they can be contacted in an emergency ▸ Remove unauthorized people who enter or who attempt to enter the space during entry operations ▸ Re-evaluate conditions in the space whenever responsibility for an entry operation is transferred, new hazards are identified, or when the work per- formed in the space changes # Performing rescues…

[12] Asbestos - Control Strategies for Workplaces

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# Asbestos - Control Strategies for Workplaces (cont.) ## What are components of an asbestos control program? (cont.) - Providing workers with task-specific work instructions that address both the hazards and the necessary controls. - Providing, using and maintaining appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing. - The methods and procedures needed to monitor the concentration of airborne asbestos and the exposure of a worker. - The methods needed to decontaminate workers clothes, etc. - The removal and clean up of asbestos waste and related material. ## What is covered in this document? This document is part of a series of documents on asbestos: - Asbestos - What is - Asbestos - Health Effects - Asbestos - Control Strategies for Workplaces - Asbestos - In the Home ## Where is it possible to find asbestos in the workplace? If you work maintaining or doing construction in buildings built before 1990, there are many products which may contain asbestos. Public and commercial building owners should keep an inventory of asbestos-containing materials to inform workers, tenants, authorities, and contractors. Ask the building owner or your supervisor whether asbestos is present in your work area. Before any work is completed in an area that may have ACM, check with a qualified asbestos removal specialist for testing. Some provinces require specific training and steps to be taken before working with asbestos. People can be exposed to asbestos when renovation or demolition activities are occurring. Small asbestos fibres can be released from asbestos-containing materials into the air when: - Disturbing or removing insulation including insulation around hot water pipes and tanks. - Removing or disturbing roofing shingles and felt or siding. - Sanding, breaking apart or scraping vinyl asbestos floor tiles. - Breaking apart soundproofing ceiling tiles. - Sanding or disturbing plaster, including acoustical plaster. Asbestos - Control Strategies for Wo…

[13] Not designed to be occupied: Oregon OSHA’s guide to confined space safety

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# Evaluating confined spaces and permit spaces: [redacted phone](4) Identify all enclosures at your workplace that have the characteristics of a confined space and evaluate each one to determine if it is a confined space and if it has hazards that make it a permit space. Do not allow any employees to enter a confined space until it has been fully evaluated. At workplaces where confined spaces are being built, host employers or controlling contractors do not need to evaluate confined spaces unless: ▸ One of their employees will enter the space ▸ An employee of an employer responsible to the host employer or controlling contractor will enter the space ▸ A host employer or controlling contractor assumes control over the space If your workplace has a permit space, your employees must know where it is located, that it is hazardous, and that it is a permit space. ▸ Allow employees to observe the evaluation of the space. ▸ Identify the space as a permit space. You can use signs, labels, or tags to identify the space. ▸ When conditions within the space change, re-evaluate it. ▸ Prevent unauthorized employees from entering the space. If someone else will enter a permit space under your control (employees of another employer, for example), inform them: ▸ About all hazards or potential hazards in the spaces ▸ If the spaces have been evaluated before and what that evaluation discovered ▸ What your precautions or procedures are for entering the spaces If your employees will enter a permit space, they must follow the requirements of your written permit space program. If you have mobile employees, you must determine whether there are confined spaces at the sites where they will be working. If confined spaces are present, the space must be evaluated to identify any physical or atmospheric hazards that make it a permit space. # The permit space program and the entry permit: [redacted phone](5) You determined you have a confined space. Are one or more of these haz…

[14] Not designed to be occupied: Oregon OSHA’s guide to confined space safety

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# Key sections of Oregon OSHA's confined space rule: [redacted phone] <table><tr><th></th><th>4</th><th></th><th>5</th><th>6</th><th>7</th><th>8</th><th>9</th><th>10</th><th>11</th><th>12</th><th>13</th></tr><tr><td>For spaces that are:</td><td>Evaluation</td><td>programs and space permits entry</td><td>confined Permit-required</td><td>Permit entry</td><td>Equipment</td><td>Personnel</td><td>Rescue</td><td>Alternate entry</td><td>Training</td><td>worksites Multi-employer</td><td>Records</td></tr><tr><td>Confined spaces</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Permit-required confined spaces</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Never entered</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>If you only:</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Use alternate entry procedures</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Have other employers enter your space</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Are a rescue service provider</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></table> ## Common questions about [redacted phone] Q: I have a permit space program for my facility that meets the requirements for federal OSHA's confined space rule, 1910.146, and my employees follow those requirements when they enter permit spaces. Are the requirements for 1910.146 and [redacted phone] the same? A: Many of the requirements are the same; however, there are also more requirements under [redacted phone]. ## Identical requirements under 1910.146 and [redacted phone] ▸ Definition of a c…

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