1926.1211(a): Choosing Confined Space Rescue Services
Employers who designate rescue services for permit spaces must evaluate each prospective rescuer's ability to respond in a timely manner and its proficiency for the space. They must select a team that can reach victims in time, is equipped and proficient, and agrees to give immediate notice if unavailable, then inform the team of hazards and give it access to the spaces to plan and practice.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1211(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart AA).
- OSHA cited it 4 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $27,750 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1926.1211(a)(1) (1 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1211(a) is one requirement inside 1926.1211 Rescue and emergency services, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart AA). It includes 8 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
(a) An employer who designates rescue and emergency services, pursuant to § 1926.1204(i), must: 4 citations
(1) Evaluate a prospective rescuer's ability to respond to a rescue summons in a timely manner, considering the hazard(s) identified; Open (a)(1) 1 citations
What will be considered timely will vary according to the specific hazards involved in each entry. For example, § 1926.103 (Respiratory protection) requires that employers provide a standby person or persons capable of immediate action to rescue employee(s) wearing respiratory protection while in work areas defined as IDLH atmospheres.
(2) Evaluate a prospective rescue service's ability, in terms of proficiency with rescue-related tasks and equipment, to function appropriately while rescuing entrants from the particular permit space or types of permit spaces identified;
(3) Select a rescue team or service from those evaluated that: 1 citations
(i) Has the capability to reach the victim(s) within a time frame that is appropriate for the permit space hazard(s) identified;
(ii) Is equipped for, and proficient in, performing the needed rescue services; 1 citations
(iii) Agrees to notify the employer immediately in the event that the rescue service becomes unavailable;
(4) Inform each rescue team or service of the hazards they may confront when called on to perform rescue at the site; and
(5) Provide the rescue team or service selected with access to all permit spaces from which rescue may be necessary so that the rescue team or service can develop appropriate rescue plans and practice rescue operations.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1211.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1211(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…
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Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1211(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Regarding construction work in water storage tanks and Permit-required confined space requirements in construction. (2016-09-08)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1211(a)(1) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must be evaluated before choosing a rescue service?
Its ability to respond in a timely manner for the hazards involved, and its proficiency with rescue tasks and equipment for the spaces.
What must the rescue service agree to?
To notify the employer immediately if it becomes unavailable.
Must the rescue team see the spaces?
Yes. The employer must give it access to all permit spaces from which rescue may be needed so it can plan and practice.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1211 (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.