What is a confined space according to OSHA?

A confined space, as defined by OSHA, is one that has enough room for an employee to enter and perform work while also meeting specific criteria regarding its hazard potential. This means the space must be large enough not only to accommodate a person's body but also to allow for necessary work activities to be conducted safely.

While a single entry point may indeed make a space more challenging to navigate, and a small or difficult-to-access space may complicate entry, these aspects alone do not define a confined space according to OSHA. Similarly, a space designed for continuous occupancy is not considered confined because it implies that workers are expected to be there for longer durations, thus indicating an entirely different classification of space.

The focus on a space being large enough for work highlights the importance of human factors in confined spaces and the need for adequate room to conduct tasks safely while considering potential hazards.