1910.146(k)(2)(iv): Annual Permit Space Rescue Practice
Employers whose employees perform permit space rescue must make sure those employees practice rescues at least once every 12 months. Practice uses simulated rescues, removing dummies, manikins or actual persons from the actual permit spaces or from representative spaces that match the real ones in opening size, configuration and accessibility.
Key takeaways
- 1910.146(k)(2)(iv) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 26 times in the last 3 years, in 25 inspections, with $66,400 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: CT (6), NJ (5), ME (4).
- Related part: 1910.146(k) Rescue and emergency services (204 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.146(k)(2)(iv) 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
(iv) Ensure that affected employees practice making permit space rescues at least once every 12 months, by means of simulated rescue operations in which they remove dummies, manikins, or actual persons from the actual permit spaces or from representative permit spaces. Representative permit spaces shall, with respect to opening size, configuration, and accessibility, simulate the types of permit spaces from which rescue is to be performed. 26 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(k)(2)(iv).
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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: CT (6), NJ (5), ME (4), TN (2), IL (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HITACHI ENERGY USA, INC. | CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MS | $16,550 |
| CLEAN HARBORS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC. | TWINSBURG, OH | $16,550 |
| BOROUGH OF BELLMAWR SEWER DEPARTMENT | BELLMAWR, NJ | $9,800 |
| 160293 - SMITHFIELD FRESH MEATS CORP. | TAR HEEL, NC | $6,300 |
| WEST DEPTFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT | THOROFARE, NJ | $5,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.146(k)(2)(iv), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.146(k)(2)(iv).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.146(k) Rescue and emergency services 204 citations
- 1910.146(k)(1) 123 citations
- 1910.146(k)(3) 43 citations
- 1910.146(k)(2) 38 citations
- 1910.146(k)(1)(i) 29 citations
- 1910.146(k)(1)(ii) 27 citations
- 1910.146(k)(3)(i) 10 citations
- 1910.146(k)(1)(v) 10 citations
- 1910.146(k)(3)(ii) 9 citations
- 1910.146(k)(2)(iii) 5 citations
- 1910.146(k)(1)(iv) 4 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
How often must rescue teams practice?
At least once every 12 months.
What does practice involve?
Simulated rescue operations removing dummies, manikins or actual persons from the actual permit spaces or representative spaces.
What makes a space representative?
It must simulate the real spaces in opening size, configuration and accessibility.
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.