1910.146(c)(5)(ii)(H): Written Certification Before Entry (Alternate Procedures)
Employers using alternate entry procedures must verify the space is safe and the pre-entry measures were taken through a written certification with the date, location and signature of the certifier. It must be made before entry and be available to each entrant or their authorized representative.
Key takeaways
- 1910.146(c)(5)(ii)(H) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $12,000 in current penalties.
- Most citations: UT (2), IL (2), MA (2).
- Related part: 1910.146(c) General requirements (1,090 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.146(c)(5)(ii)(H) is one requirement inside 1910.146 Permit-required confined spaces, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(H) The employer shall verify that the space is safe for entry and that the pre-entry measures required by paragraph (c)(5)(ii) of this section have been taken, through a written certification that contains the date, the location of the space, and the signature of the person providing the certification. The certification shall be made before entry and shall be made available to each employee entering the space or to that employee's authorized representative . 10 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.146.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: UT (2), IL (2), MA (2), TN (1), VT (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SMUGGLERS' NOTCH MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LTD. | SMUGGLERS NOTCH, VT | $7,800 |
| PINNACLE MANUFACTURING UTAH | OGDEN, UT | $4,200 |
| AIRXCEL, INC. | DAYTON, TN | $0 |
| CITY OF TOOELE | TOOELE, UT | $0 |
| CONTINENTAL TANKER TECH, INC. | CREOLA, AL | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.146(c)(5)(ii)(H), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.146(c)(5)(ii)(H).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.146(c) General requirements 1,090 citations
- 1910.146(c)(2) 359 citations
- 1910.146(c)(1) 293 citations
- 1910.146(c)(4) 253 citations
- 1910.146(c)(5) 63 citations
- 1910.146(c)(5)(ii) 59 citations
- 1910.146(c)(7) 50 citations
- 1910.146(c)(3) 40 citations
- 1910.146(c)(7)(iii) 33 citations
- 1910.146(c)(5)(ii)(C) 24 citations
- 1910.146(c)(8) 19 citations
- 1910.146(c)(9) 11 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
What must the certification contain?
The date, the location of the space and the signature of the person providing the certification.
When is it made?
Before entry.
Who can see it?
Each employee entering the space or that employee's authorized representative.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.146 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.