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Changes to Oregon OSHA‘s confined space rule, set to take effect next year, are expected to affect the construction industry, according to a news release.

Following changes to general industry/construction standard OAR 437-002-0146, employers will be required to identify all permit-required confined spaces, follow lockout/tagout procedures in compliance with the law, obtain written agreements with third party rescue service providers and retrain employees when previously undiscovered hazards are discovered.

OSHA Administrator Michael Wood said the rule changes are necessary to protect construction workers from 鈥渦nforgiving鈥� confined spaces.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health defines confined space as 鈥渙ne which, by design, has limited openings for entry and exit, unfavorable natural ventilation which could contain or produce dangerous air contaminants, and is not intended for continuous employee occupancy.鈥�

Changes to the general industry rules will take effect Jan. 1, 2015. Construction employers must comply with confined space requirements by March 1, 2015.

There are exemptions to the rules. More information is available at .