1910.146(c)(5)(ii): Alternate Permit Space Entry Steps
For spaces that qualify for alternate entry, employers must remove unsafe conditions before opening the cover, promptly guard the opening, and test the air with a calibrated direct-reading instrument for oxygen, flammable gases and vapors, then toxic contaminants, in that order. No hazardous atmosphere is allowed while anyone is inside, and continuous forced air ventilation must run.
Key takeaways
- 1910.146(c)(5)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 59 times in the last 3 years, in 46 inspections, with $209,847 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NY (8), TN (6), UT (4).
- Related part: 1910.146(c) General requirements (1,090 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.146(c)(5)(ii) is one requirement inside 1910.146 Permit-required confined spaces, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). It includes 8 sub-paragraphs. 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
(ii) The following requirements apply to entry into permit spaces that meet the conditions set forth in paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section. 59 citations
(A) Any conditions making it unsafe to remove an entrance cover shall be eliminated before the cover is removed. 1 citations
(B) When entrance covers are removed, the opening shall be promptly guarded by a railing, temporary cover, or other temporary barrier that will prevent an accidental fall through the opening and that will protect each employee working in the space from foreign objects entering the space. Open (c)(5)(ii)(b) 5 citations
(C) Before an employee enters the space, the internal atmosphere shall be tested, with a calibrated direct-reading instrument, for oxygen content, for flammable gases and vapors, and for potential toxic air contaminants, in that order. Any employee who enters the space, or that employee's authorized representative, shall be provided an opportunity to observe the pre-entry testing required by this paragraph. Open (c)(5)(ii)(c) 24 citations
(D) There may be no hazardous atmosphere within the space whenever any employee is inside the space. 2 citations
(E) Continuous forced air ventilation shall be used, as follows: Open (c)(5)(ii)(e) 7 citations
(1) An employee may not enter the space until the forced air ventilation has eliminated any hazardous atmosphere;
(2) The forced air ventilation shall be so directed as to ventilate the immediate areas where an employee is or will be present within the space and shall continue until all employees have left the space;
(3) The air supply for the forced air ventilation shall be from a clean source and may not increase the hazards in the space.
(F) The atmosphere within the space shall be periodically tested as necessary to ensure that the continuous forced air ventilation is preventing the accumulation of a hazardous atmosphere. Any employee who enters the space, or that employee's authorized representative, shall be provided with an opportunity to observe the periodic testing required by this paragraph. 5 citations
(G) If a hazardous atmosphere is detected during entry: 1 citations
(1) Each employee shall leave the space immediately;
(2) The space shall be evaluated to determine how the hazardous atmosphere developed; and
(3) Measures shall be implemented to protect employees from the hazardous atmosphere before any subsequent entry takes place.
(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 . Open (c)(5)(ii)(h) 10 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.146.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.146(c)(5)(ii).
At 10:20 a.m. on October 7, 2024, Employee #1, employed at a manufacturing facility, was in the process of removing and cleaning debris from a siphon. During this task, the employee was struck in the right side of the face and headby a winch. The…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 24 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: NY (8), TN (6), UT (4), NJ (4), MI (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MEYERROSE & COMPANY, INC. | KEARNY, NJ | $19,035 |
| MUELLER INDUSTRIES DBA MUELLER BRASS | PORT HURON, MI | $17,500 |
| HITACHI ENERGY USA, INC. | CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MS | $16,550 |
| NATIONAL WATER MAIN CLEANING COMPANY | LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | $16,550 |
| MAJESTIC STEEL USA, INC. | HOUSTON, TX | $16,131 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.146(c)(5)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
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)(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
- 1910.146(c)(5)(ii)(H) 10 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What order is the air tested in?
Oxygen content, then flammable gases and vapors, then potential toxic air contaminants.
Can entrants watch the testing?
Yes. Each entrant or their authorized representative must be given an opportunity to observe pre-entry testing.
When can an employee enter?
Not until the forced air ventilation has eliminated any hazardous atmosphere.
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.