1910.146(e)(3): Posting the Entry Permit
The completed entry permit must be made available to all authorized entrants or their representatives at the time of entry, by posting it at the entry portal or another equally effective way, so entrants can confirm pre-entry preparations are done.
Key takeaways
- 1910.146(e)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 4 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $40,100 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.146(e) Permit system (147 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.146(e)(3) 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
(3) The completed permit shall be made available at the time of entry to all authorized entrants or their authorized representatives, by posting it at the entry portal or by any other equally effective means, so that the entrants can confirm that pre-entry preparations have been completed. 4 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.146.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.146(e)(3).
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…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.146(e)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Federal posting requirements. (1993-12-30)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.146(e) Permit system 147 citations
- 1910.146(e)(1) 104 citations
- 1910.146(e)(6) 18 citations
- 1910.146(e)(5) 10 citations
- 1910.146(e)(2) 3 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
Where must the entry permit be?
Available at the time of entry, posted at the entry portal or by another equally effective means.
Who must be able to see it?
All authorized entrants or their authorized representatives.
Why must entrants see the permit?
So they can confirm pre-entry preparations have been completed.
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.