General requirements.
1926.1203(a) Before it begins work at a worksite, each employer must ensure that a competent person identifies all confined spaces in which one or more of the employees it directs may work, and identifies each space that is a permit space, through consideration and evaluation of the elements of that space, including testing as necessary.
HAZARD: Employees exposed to inadvertent confined space entry hazards.
ABATEMENT: Before it begins work at a worksite, each employer MUST ensure that a  competent person identifies all confined spaces in which one or more   of the employees it directs may work, and identifies each space that is  a permit space, through consideration and evaluation of the elements  of that space, including testing as necessary.
Definitions.
Competent person means one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.
Confined space means a space that:
- Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter it;
- Has limited or restricted means for entry and exit; and
- Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
