1926.1204(d): Equipment for Permit Space Entry
Employers must provide, at no cost to each employee, maintain and make sure employees properly use equipment for permit space entry. This includes testing and monitoring, ventilating and communications equipment, PPE where controls are not enough, approved lighting, barriers and shields, ladders for entry and exit, rescue and emergency equipment, and any other equipment needed.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1204(d) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart AA).
- OSHA cited it 19 times in the last 3 years, in 15 inspections, with $99,515 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (5), FL (2), NJ (2).
- Related part: 1926.1204(d)(8) (5 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1204(d) is one requirement inside 1926.1204 Permit-required confined space program, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart AA). It includes 9 sub-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
(d) Provide the following equipment (specified in paragraphs (d)(1) through (9) of this section) at no cost to each employee, maintain that equipment properly, and ensure that each employee uses that equipment properly: 19 citations
(1) Testing and monitoring equipment needed to comply with paragraph (e) of this section; 2 citations
(2) Ventilating equipment needed to obtain acceptable entry conditions; Open (d)(2) 3 citations
(3) Communications equipment necessary for compliance with §§ 1926.1208(c) and 1926.1209(e), including any necessary electronic communication equipment for attendants assessing entrants' status in multiple spaces; 2 citations
(4) Personal protective equipment insofar as feasible engineering and work-practice controls do not adequately protect employees; 1 citations
The requirements of subpart E of this part and other PPE requirements continue to apply to the use of PPE in a permit space. For example, if employees use respirators, then the respirator requirements in § 1926.103 (Respiratory protection) must be met.
(5) Lighting equipment that meets the minimum illumination requirements in § 1926.56, that is approved for the ignitable or combustible properties of the specific gas, vapor, dust, or fiber that will be present, and that is sufficient to enable employees to see well enough to work safely and to exit the space quickly in an emergency; 1 citations
(6) Barriers and shields as required by paragraph (c)(4) of this section;
(7) Equipment, such as ladders, needed for safe ingress and egress by authorized entrants; 1 citations
(8) Rescue and emergency equipment needed to comply with paragraph (i) of this section, except to the extent that the equipment is provided by rescue services; and Open (d)(8) 5 citations
(9) Any other equipment necessary for safe entry into, safe exit from, and rescue from, permit spaces.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1204.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1204(d).
At 7:31 a.m. on September 13, 2024, Employee #1 was working inside a 9-foot deepsewer manhole in Faribault, Minnesota. The employee was performing a construction task to cement the end of a pipeline to close an old sewer line. The employee was not wearing 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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: TX (5), FL (2), NJ (2), MN (2), AL (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 108102 - ICON LLC | FARIBAULT, MN | $25,000 |
| PLW WATERWORKS, LLC | LAREDO, TX | $16,550 |
| CONSTRUCTION LABOR SERVICES, INC. | MOBILE, AL | $16,550 |
| US TANK PAINTING, INC. | BAYVILLE, NJ | $13,150 |
| D L BANDY CONSTRUCTORS INC. | CONVERSE, TX | $11,585 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1204(d), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1204(d).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1204(d)(8) 5 citations
- 1926.1204(d)(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
Who pays for permit space equipment?
The employer must provide it at no cost to each employee.
What lighting is required?
Lighting that meets 1926.56, is approved for the specific gas, vapor, dust or fiber present, and lets employees work safely and exit quickly in an emergency.
When is PPE required?
Insofar as feasible engineering and work-practice controls do not adequately protect employees.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1204 (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.