A new OSHA publication intended to help construction employers and small businesses comply with the agency’s new Confined Spaces in Construction standard describes common compliance issues in plain English and provides details about relevant provisions of the standard. The Protecting Construction Workers in Confined Spaces: Small Entity Compliance Guide (PDF) addresses topics such as identifying permit spaces; reclassifying a permit space as a non-permit space; entrants, attendants, and entry supervisors; worker training; and rescue and emergency services. Examples of a permit-required confined space program and an entry permit are also included. OSHA’s new Confined Spaces in Construction standard was issued in May, and provides construction workers with protections similar to those provided to workers in manufacturing and general industry, with some differences tailored to the construction industry. According to the agency, the rule requires employers in construction to share vital safety information and to continuously monitor hazards. The rule went into effect on Aug. 3, 2015, but OSHA postponed full enforcement to Oct. 2. During the temporary enforcement period, OSHA did not issue citations to employers wh​o made “good faith efforts” to comply with the new standard. For more information, visit OSHA's website.​​