PRCS1910.146,Parts90and490-StateofMichigan.docVIP

Michigan Department of Energy, Labor Economic Growth Michigan Occupational Safety Health Administration Consultation Education Training Division PRCS 1910.146, Parts 90 and 490 Questions and Answers SECTION (a) – Scope and Application 1. Are only those employers engaged in manufacturing operations covered by the PRCS standard? No. The standard applies to all general industry places of employment. Among them are Agricultural services, Manufacturing, Transportation and Utilities, Wholesale Trade, Retail Trade, Hotels and Other Lodging, Health Services, Museums, Botanical Gardens, Public Employers and Zoos but to name a few. 2. What Agricultural Standard Industrial Classification codes (SIC) fall under the scope exemption of the standard? SIC Codes in Major Groups 01 and 02 which are directly related to crop and livestock production are exempt. All other major groups within agriculture will have to be determined on a case-by-case basis. 3. 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 Construction Standard, Part 30, Telecommunications, 1910.268 or Occupational Health Standard, Part 664, Telecommunications Industry, Rule 6701, Health Standard for Special Construction Industry Requirements. 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)[Part 6