1926.1205(a): Entry Permit Before Confined Space Entry
Before entry into a permit space is authorized, each entry employer must document that the measures required by 1926.1204(c) are complete by preparing an entry permit.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1205(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart AA).
- OSHA cited it 22 times in the last 3 years, in 22 inspections, with $144,728 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NY (4), OH (3), MI (3).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1205(a) is one requirement inside 1926.1205 Permitting process, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart AA). 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
(a) Before entry is authorized, each entry employer must document the completion of measures required by § 1926.1204(c) by preparing an entry permit. 22 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1205.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1205(a).
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 | 12 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: NY (4), OH (3), MI (3), NJ (2), MO (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(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1205(a).
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Frequently asked questions
When must the entry permit be prepared?
Before entry is authorized.
What does the permit document?
Completion of the measures required by 1926.1204(c).
Who prepares it?
Each entry employer.
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.