Materials Handling, Confined Spaces, and Other General Industry Subparts
Materials handling and powered trucks
1910.176 requires stable stacking, blocked or interlocked storage, maintained aisles, and clearance around electrical panels and exits. Powered industrial trucks (1910.178) require formal training plus a performance evaluation, with refresher training after accidents, near misses, unsafe operation, or a change in truck or workplace - and re-evaluation at least every three years. No riders unless a seat is provided; keep loads within capacity and forks low while traveling.
Permit-required confined spaces (1910.146)
A confined space is permit-required if it contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere, contains a material that could engulf, has an internal configuration that could trap or asphyxiate, or contains any other recognized serious hazard. Test the atmosphere before entry and continuously where needed. Oxygen must be between 19.5% and 23.5%. Entry requires a permit, an attendant stationed outside, an entry supervisor, atmospheric monitoring, communication, and rescue provisions. The rescue service's proficiency must be evaluated; rescue drills are conducted at least every 12 months. Alternate entry (1910.146(c)(5)) is available only where the sole hazard is atmospheric and continuous forced air ventilation and monitoring controls it.
Other subparts worth memorizing
Fire extinguishers (1910.157): monthly visual checks, annual maintenance, training at hire and annually. Emergency action plans (1910.38): written when 11 or more employees must be evacuated. Noise (1910.95): action level 85 dBA TWA triggers a hearing conservation program; PEL is 90 dBA.
Worked example
A meter reads 20.8% oxygen, 4% LEL, and 2 ppm H2S. Oxygen and flammables are acceptable, so the entry may proceed under a permit with continued monitoring - but a reading of 19.0% oxygen means ventilate and do not enter.