If the employer's workplace contains only nonpermit confined spaces and employees do not enter another employer's confined space, the employer may follow only the requirements in:

1. WAC 296-307-644, Identifying and controlling permit-required confined spaces; and

2. WAC 296-307-654, Nonpermit confined spaces requirements.

(1) The employer must identify all permit-required confined spaces in your workplace.

(2) The employer must assume any confined space is a permit-required confined space, unless the employer determines the space to be a nonpermit confined space.

(a) If the employer or employees enter the space to determine the hazards, follow the requirements in WAC 296-307-650, Permit entry procedures.

(b) If the employer evaluates the confined space and there are no potential or actual hazards, the employer can consider it to be a nonpermit confined space.

(3) The employer must document its determination that the space is nonpermit, as required by WAC 296-307-654.

Permit-required confined space or permit space. A confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics capable of causing death or serious physical harm:

(a) Contains or has a potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere.

(b) Contains a material with the potential for engulfing someone who enters the space.

(c) Has an internal configuration that could allow someone entering to be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls or by a floor, which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller cross-section.

(d) Contains any physical hazard. This includes any recognized health or safety hazards including engulfment in solid or liquid material, electrical shock, or moving parts.

(e) Contains any other recognized safety or health hazard that could either:

(i) Impair the ability to self rescue;

(ii) Result in a situation that presents an immediate danger to life or health.

Nonpermit confined space. A confined space that does not contain actual hazards or potential hazards capable of causing death or serious physical harm.