1926.1207: Confined Space Training in Construction
Employers must train each employee whose work is covered by the construction confined space standard, at no cost, so they understand the permit space hazards, how to control them, and the dangers of unauthorized rescue. Training must be in a language they understand, given before first assignment, before duty changes, when new hazards arise or procedures are not followed, and documented with names, trainers and dates.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1207 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart AA).
- OSHA cited it 53 times in the last 3 years, in 47 inspections, with $224,238 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (5), MI (5), VA (4).
- Most-cited part: 1926.1207(a) (39 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1207, "Training", 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 1926.1207 (9 paragraphs)
(a) The employer must provide training to each employee whose work is regulated by this standard, at no cost to the employee, and ensure that the employee possesses the understanding, knowledge, and skills necessary for the safe performance of the duties assigned under this standard. This training must result in an understanding of the hazards in the permit space and the methods used to isolate, control or in other ways protect employees from these hazards, and for those employees not authorized to perform entry rescues, in the dangers of attempting such rescues. Open (a) 39 citations
(b) Training required by this section must be provided to each affected employee: 6 citations
(1) In both a language and vocabulary that the employee can understand; 1 citations
(2) Before the employee is first assigned duties under this standard; 3 citations
(3) Before there is a change in assigned duties;
(4) Whenever there is a change in permit space entry operations that presents a hazard about which an employee has not previously been trained; and
(5) Whenever there is any evidence of a deviation from the permit space entry procedures required by § 1926.1204(c) or there are inadequacies in the employee's knowledge or use of these procedures. 1 citations
(c) The training must establish employee proficiency in the duties required by this standard and must introduce new or revised procedures, as necessary, for compliance with this standard. 2 citations
(d) The employer must maintain training records to show that the training required by paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section has been accomplished. The training records must contain each employee's name, the name of the trainers, and the dates of training. The documentation must be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives, for the period of time the employee is employed by that employer. Open (d) 6 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Export the list: 47 inspections cited 1926.1207 in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1207.
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 | 3 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 15 |
Top states: TX (5), MI (5), VA (4), OH (3), NY (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CONSTRUCTION LABOR SERVICES, INC. | MOBILE, AL | $33,100 |
| 108102 - ICON LLC | FARIBAULT, MN | $29,400 |
| COMMODORE MAINTENANCE CORPORATION | BROOKLYN, NY | $23,170 |
| GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY | ANCHORAGE, AK | $16,131 |
| SBF CONSTRUCTION, INC. | NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $14,895 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1207.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.1207(a) 39 citations
- 1926.1207(d) 6 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When is confined space training required?
Before first assignment, before a change in duties, when entry operations change and present a new hazard, and when there are deviations from procedures or gaps in knowledge.
What must training records include?
Each employee's name, the name of the trainers, and the dates of training.
Must training be in my language?
Yes, in a language and vocabulary the employee can understand.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1207 (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 2026-11-06
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.
