In my experience, I have found most older built cooling towers to be Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS); however, some of the newer designs have addressed the hazards which make these units PRCS (e.g., guarding the fan and shaft within the unit) or these spaces may be eligible for reclassification using 1910.146(c)(7). But this OSHA fatality inspection shows us that serious hazards within these units MUST BE managed before entry…
