1910.146(d)(5)(i): Test Permit Space Air Before Entry
Employers must test conditions in a permit space to confirm acceptable entry conditions exist before entry is authorized. If isolation is infeasible because the space is large or part of a continuous system like a sewer, pre-entry testing is done to the extent feasible and conditions must be continuously monitored where entrants work.
Key takeaways
- 1910.146(d)(5)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 58 times in the last 3 years, in 53 inspections, with $634,908 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (8), TX (7), MN (6).
- Related part: 1910.146(d) Permit-required confined space program (480 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.146(d)(5)(i) 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
(i) Test conditions in the permit space to determine if acceptable entry conditions exist before entry is authorized to begin, except that, if isolation of the space is infeasible because the space is large or is part of a continuous system (such as a sewer), pre-entry testing shall be performed to the extent feasible before entry is authorized and, if entry is authorized, entry conditions shall be continuously monitored in the areas where authorized entrants are working; 58 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.146.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.146(d)(5)(i).
At approximately 9:34 a.m. on January 10, 2025, an employee was directed to enter a 23,737-gallon rail tank car containing residues of PCBs and transformer oil to obtain wipe samples of the interior surfaces. The rail tank car was a permit-required confined space. The employee…
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 | 2 |
| 2024 | 25 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 | 13 |
Top states: IL (8), TX (7), MN (6), OH (4), WI (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| QUALAWASH HOLDINGS, LLC | LA PORTE, TX | $450,000 |
| KERRY INC. | CALHOUN, GA | $52,000 |
| 109588 - LANG COMPANIES INC DBA LANG FEEDS INC | EDEN VALLEY, MN | $25,000 |
| CLEAN HARBORS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC. | TWINSBURG, OH | $16,550 |
| JOBE MATERIALS, L.P. | EL PASO, TX | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.146(d)(5)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.146(d)(5)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.146(d) Permit-required confined space program 480 citations
- 1910.146(d)(3) 107 citations
- 1910.146(d)(5) 91 citations
- 1910.146(d)(4) 66 citations
- 1910.146(d)(9) 63 citations
- 1910.146(d)(2) 40 citations
- 1910.146(d)(4)(i) 33 citations
- 1910.146(d)(6) 31 citations
- 1910.146(d)(14) 23 citations
- 1910.146(d)(10) 17 citations
- 1910.146(d)(1) 16 citations
- 1910.146(d)(3)(iii) 15 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
When must permit space testing happen?
Before entry is authorized to begin.
What if the space cannot be isolated?
Pre-entry testing is performed to the extent feasible, and entry conditions must be continuously monitored where authorized entrants are working.
What kind of space may not be isolated?
A space that is large or part of a continuous system, such as a sewer.
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.