One of the questions that we all seem to get about Confined Spaces is the “service bays” at vehicle repair shops like your quick oil change shops where you position your vehicle over an open pit. Under the floor, there is a room where the technician enters via a set of stairs in order to gain access to the undercarriage of your vehicle. This is easier and safe than lifting the vehicle. These spaces have had some serious accidents in recent years when employees used a solvent for cleaning. These spaces are not Confined Spaces, nor are they Permit-Required Confined Spaces; however, this does not mean that we can not generate a hazardous atmosphere within the space. In this Fatal OSHA Case, a worker was using a solvent to clean the walls of this service pit. This practice should be prohibited in any area that does not provide the MINIMUM ventilation rates as stated on 1910.106(e)(3)(v)(a).
