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Confined-space settlement and gas industry coverage

Summary OSHA circulated a settlement concerning its confined-space standard and gas-industry operations. The memo said Department of Transportation pipeline rules governed many such operations, including vaults, and that OSHA’s confined-space rule applied where those rules did not address the working conditions. The referenced settlement and letter are not reproduced on the page.
Document
Federal guidance
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1994-06-01-1
Date issued
June 1, 1994
Status
Active
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Confined Spaces Gas Industry
Source
View the official document

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About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

June 1, 1994

MEMORANDUM FOR: REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS

FROM: JOHN B. MILES, JR., DIRECTOR
DIRECTORATE OF COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS

SUBJECT: TRANSMITTAL OF THE CONFINED SPACE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE AMERICAN GAS ASSOCIATION

Attached you will find a copy of OSHA's settlement agreement with the American Gas Association, addressing the applicability of the Confined Space Standard (29 CFR 1910.146). The settlement notes, among other things, that many confined space operations in the Gas industry, including vaults, are governed by regulations issued by the Department of Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety. The confined space standard would apply only to those operations where DOT/OPS regulations do not address working conditions.

Please provide copies of this memorandum, the settlement agreement and our letter to the American Gas Association (also attached) to all Area Offices and to State Designees, for their information. These items will also be forwarded for inclusion in OCIS.

Questions on this topic should be directed to the Office of General Industry Compliance Assistance, attention: Donald Kallstrom.

If you have further questions concerning this clarification, please contact Mr. Don Kallstrom in the Office of General Industry Compliance Assistance (202) 219-8031.

Sincerely,
H. Berrien Zettler, Deputy Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs

[NOTE: To see the referenced settlement agreement, search on the CWSA's database.]

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