1910.146(h)(1): Entrants Know the Hazards
Employers must make sure authorized entrants know the hazards they may face during entry, including the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of exposure.
Key takeaways
- 1910.146(h)(1) 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 9 inspections, with $63,872 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (3), OH (2), IL (2).
- Related part: 1910.146(h) Duties of authorized entrants (16 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.146(h)(1) 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
(1) Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure; 10 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.146.
Export the list: 9 inspections cited 1910.146(h)(1) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.146(h)(1).
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
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: TX (3), OH (2), IL (2), OK (1), WI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CLEAN HARBORS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC. | TWINSBURG, OH | $16,550 |
| TACTICAL CLEANING ACQUISITION, LLC | HARWOOD, TX | $16,550 |
| DEAN EQUIPMENT INC. | PORT ARTHUR, TX | $10,000 |
| TOTAL CLEAN, LLC | HAZEL CREST, IL | $8,275 |
| C & M ROUSTABOUT SERVICES, LLC | PURCELL, OK | $6,452 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.146(h)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.146(h)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.146(h) Duties of authorized entrants 16 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must entrants know?
The hazards they may face during entry.
What details about exposure?
The mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure.
Who must know this?
Authorized entrants.
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 2026-11-06
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.