What additional PPE is required for employees entering a space that is 5 feet or more in depth?

When employees are entering a space that is 5 feet or more in depth, the requirement for a harness and mechanical means of rescue is based on safety protocols to protect workers from potential hazards associated with confined spaces. Such depths can pose significant risks, including the potential for falls, entrapment, or the inhalation of harmful substances.

Using a harness ensures that workers are securely fastened and can be safely rescued if an emergency occurs while they are in the confined space. Mechanical means of rescue provide a plan and equipment ready for immediate deployment in case of an incident, ensuring that workers can be retrieved without endangering their own safety or that of rescuers.

This requirement emphasizes the importance of preparedness and proactive measures in environments where the risk of injury is heightened due to the nature of the work and the environment. Other options, while potentially important for different scenarios, do not address the specific hazards that increase when working at such depths.