[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 8]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1926.21]

[Page 23]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 
                                OF LABOR
 
PART 1926_SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION--Table of Contents
 
             Subpart C_General Safety and Health Provisions
 
Sec. 1926.21  Safety training and education.

    (a) General requirements. The Secretary shall, pursuant to section 
107(f) of the Act, establish and supervise programs for the education 
and training of employers and employees in the recognition, avoidance 
and prevention of unsafe conditions in employments covered by the act.
    (b) Employer responsibility. (1) The employer should avail himself 
of the safety and health training programs the Secretary provides.
    (2) The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and 
avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his 
work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure 
to illness or injury.
    (3) Employees required to handle or use poisons, caustics, and other 
harmful substances shall be instructed regarding the safe handling and 
use, and be made aware of the potential hazards, personal hygiene, and 
personal protective measures required.
    (4) In job site areas where harmful plants or animals are present, 
employees who may be exposed shall be instructed regarding the potential 
hazards, and how to avoid injury, and the first aid procedures to be 
used in the event of injury.
    (5) Employees required to handle or use flammable liquids, gases, or 
toxic materials shall be instructed in the safe handling and use of 
these materials and made aware of the specific requirements contained in 
subparts D, F, and other applicable subparts of this part.
    (6)(i) All employees required to enter into confined or enclosed 
spaces shall be instructed as to the nature of the hazards involved, the 
necessary precautions to be taken, and in the use of protective and 
emergency equipment required. The employer shall comply with any 
specific regulations that apply to work in dangerous or potentially 
dangerous areas.
    (ii) For purposes of paragraph (b)(6)(i) of this section, confined 
or enclosed space means any space having a limited means of egress, 
which is subject to the accumulation of toxic or flammable contaminants 
or has an oxygen deficient atmosphere. Confined or enclosed spaces 
include, but are not limited to, storage tanks, process vessels, bins, 
boilers, ventilation or exhaust ducts, sewers, underground utility 
vaults, tunnels, pipelines, and open top spaces more than 4 feet in 
depth such as pits, tubs, vaults, and vessels.