When is work in the Telecommunication Industry covered by the generic 1910.146 standard?
Telecommunications employers do have obligations under PRCS standard. Like all other General Industry employers, 1910.146(c)(1) requires them to evaluate the workplace to determine if there are any permit spaces. It is expected that these spaces have been known for years and there is most likely a history of any manholes that present hazards not already addressed by 1910.268. Those manholes which are suspected of posing “other” hazards must be evaluated under 1910.146(d)(2). The detailed evaluation does not have to be completed prior to the effective date of the standard, but does have to be completed prior to entry. Many hazards encountered in telecommunications work in manholes and unvented vaults are addressed by 1910.268(o). The telecommunications standard will continue to be applied to those hazards, and the provisions of 1910.146 would not apply where the provisions of 1910.268(o) already apply. However, the agency can envision manholes and work situations that will be covered by
