1910.146(d)(9): Permit Space Rescue Procedures
Employers must develop and implement procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services, rescuing entrants from permit spaces, giving needed emergency services to rescued employees, and keeping unauthorized people from attempting a rescue.
Key takeaways
- 1910.146(d)(9) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 63 times in the last 3 years, in 63 inspections, with $298,803 in current penalties.
- 5 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NJ (8), TX (8), IL (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)(9) 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
(9) Develop and implement procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services, for rescuing entrants from permit spaces, for providing necessary emergency services to rescued employees, and for preventing unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue; 63 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.146.
Injuries linked to this rule
5 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.146(d)(9).
On January 30, 2025, Employee #1 was working at a trailer truck wash business and had been subcontracted to clean out a trailer tank using a water hose. The business specialized in washing out livestock haulers. Employee #1 entered the tank to continue cleaning. A…
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 | 20 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 19 |
Top states: NJ (8), TX (8), IL (6), PA (4), KY (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GREAT LAKES TANK & VESSEL LLC | LODI, OH | $32,265 |
| CLEAN HARBORS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC. | TWINSBURG, OH | $16,550 |
| HEIDELBERG MATERIALS NORTHEAST LLC | NAZARETH, PA | $16,550 |
| JOBE MATERIALS, L.P. | EL PASO, TX | $16,550 |
| INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY | ROME, GA | $16,131 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.146(d)(9), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.146(d)(9).
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)(5)(i) 58 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
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Frequently asked questions
What rescue procedures must be in place?
Procedures for summoning rescue and emergency services, rescuing entrants, providing emergency services to rescued employees, and preventing unauthorized rescue attempts.
Can any worker go in to save an entrant?
No. Procedures must prevent unauthorized personnel from attempting a rescue.
Must procedures just be written?
They must be developed and implemented.
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.