1926.1205: Confined Space Entry Permits in Construction
Entry employers must prepare an entry permit documenting required pre-entry measures, and the entry supervisor must sign it before entry begins. The permit must be available to entrants at entry, last no longer than the job needs, and be canceled or suspended when work is done or conditions not allowed arise. Canceled permits must be kept at least 1 year, with any problems noted.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1205 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart AA).
- OSHA cited it 23 times in the last 3 years, in 22 inspections, with $151,728 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NY (4), OH (3), MI (3).
- Most-cited part: 1926.1205(a) (22 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1205, "Permitting process", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart AA). It has 9 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 1926.1205 (9 paragraphs)
(a) Before entry is authorized, each entry employer must document the completion of measures required by § 1926.1204(c) by preparing an entry permit. Open (a) 22 citations
(b) Before entry begins, the entry supervisor identified on the permit must sign the entry permit to authorize entry. Open (b) 1 citations
(c) The completed permit must 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.
(d) The duration of the permit may not exceed the time required to complete the assigned task or job identified on the permit in accordance with § 1926.1206(b).
(e) The entry supervisor must terminate entry and take the following action when any of the following apply:
(1) Cancel the entry permit when the entry operations covered by the entry permit have been completed; or
(2) Suspend or cancel the entry permit and fully reassess the space before allowing reentry when a condition that is not allowed under the entry permit arises in or near the permit space and that condition is temporary in nature and does not change the configuration of the space or create any new hazards within it; and
(3) Cancel the entry permit when a condition that is not allowed under the entry permit arises in or near the permit space and that condition is not covered by paragraph (e)(2) of this section.
(f) The entry employer must retain each canceled entry permit for at least 1 year to facilitate the review of the permit-required confined space program required by § 1926.1204(n). Any problems encountered during an entry operation must be noted on the pertinent permit so that appropriate revisions to the permit space program can be made.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1205.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: NY (4), OH (3), MI (3), NJ (2), KY (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 108102 - ICON LLC | FARIBAULT, MN | $25,000 |
| COMMODORE MAINTENANCE CORPORATION | BROOKLYN, NY | $23,170 |
| GLOBAL EARTHWORKS + UNDERGROUND LLC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $21,765 |
| CONSTRUCTION LABOR SERVICES, INC. | MOBILE, AL | $16,550 |
| CARDINAL GLASS INDUSTRIES, INC. | BUFORD, GA | $16,131 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1205, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1205.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.1205(a) 22 citations
- 1926.1205(b) 1 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 signs the confined space entry permit?
The entry supervisor identified on the permit, before entry begins.
How long must canceled permits be kept?
At least 1 year, to support review of the permit space program.
When must the entry supervisor cancel or suspend a permit?
When the work is completed, or when a condition not allowed under the permit arises in or near the space.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1205 (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.