1926.1201: Who the Confined Space Rule Covers
This standard protects employees doing construction work at a worksite with one or more confined spaces. It does not apply to work covered by subpart P (Excavations), subpart S (Underground Construction, Caissons, Cofferdams and Compressed Air) or subpart Y (Diving). Where another OSHA standard also addresses a confined space hazard, the employer must follow both.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1201 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart AA).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1201, "Scope", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart AA). It has 6 numbered paragraphs. 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
Show the full text of 1926.1201 (6 paragraphs)
(a) This standard sets forth requirements for practices and procedures to protect employees engaged in construction activities at a worksite with one or more confined spaces, subject to the exceptions in paragraph (b) of this section.
Examples of locations where confined spaces may occur include, but are not limited to, the following: Bins; boilers; pits (such as elevator, escalator, pump, valve or other equipment); manholes (such as sewer, storm drain, electrical, communication, or other utility); tanks (such as fuel, chemical, water, or other liquid, solid or gas); incinerators; scrubbers; concrete pier columns; sewers; transformer vaults; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) ducts; storm drains; water mains; precast concrete and other pre-formed manhole units; drilled shafts; enclosed beams; vessels; digesters; lift stations; cesspools; silos; air receivers; sludge gates; air preheaters; step up transformers; turbines; chillers; bag houses; and/or mixers/reactors.
(b) Exceptions. This standard does not apply to:
(1) Construction work regulated by subpart P of this part (Excavations).
(2) Construction work regulated by subpart S of this part (Underground Construction, Caissons, Cofferdams and Compressed Air).
(3) Construction work regulated by subpart Y of this part (Diving).
(c) Where this standard applies and there is a provision that addresses a confined space hazard in another applicable OSHA standard, the employer must comply with both that requirement and the applicable provisions of this standard.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1201.
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Frequently asked questions
What are examples of confined spaces in construction?
The rule lists places such as manholes, pits, tanks, boilers, sewers, transformer vaults, HVAC ducts, storm drains, vessels, silos and drilled shafts, among others.
What work is excluded from the construction confined space rule?
Work regulated by subpart P (Excavations), subpart S (Underground Construction, Caissons, Cofferdams and Compressed Air) and subpart Y (Diving).
What if another OSHA standard also covers the same confined space hazard?
The employer must comply with both that requirement and the applicable parts of this standard.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1201 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly
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.