1910.146(c)(2): Warning Employees About Permit Spaces
If the workplace has permit-required confined spaces, the employer must tell exposed employees that they exist, where they are and what danger they pose. This can be done by posting danger signs or another equally effective means, and a sign reading "DANGER--PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER" or similar would satisfy the requirement.
Key takeaways
- 1910.146(c)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 359 times in the last 3 years, in 359 inspections, with $777,460 in current penalties.
- 10 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (72), TN (31), CT (29).
- Related part: 1910.146(c) General requirements (1,090 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.146(c)(2) is one requirement inside 1910.146 Permit-required confined spaces, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). 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
(2) If the workplace contains permit spaces, the employer shall inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces. 359 citations
A sign reading “DANGER—PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER” or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.146.
Injuries linked to this rule
10 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.146(c)(2).
On January 30, 2025, Employee #1 was working at a trailer truck wash business and had been subcontracted to clean out a trailer tank using a water hose. The business specialized in washing out livestock haulers. Employee #1 entered the tank to continue cleaning. 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 | 20 |
| 2024 | 134 |
| 2025 | 134 |
| 2026 | 71 |
Top states: MI (72), TN (31), CT (29), VA (21), NY (18)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WATERLOO PROCESSING, LLC | WATERLOO, IA | $165,514 |
| SIGNATURE ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE INC. | MINEOLA, NY | $25,020 |
| RFX2025XJW184X0161 - CRM OF AMERICA, LLC | MESA, AZ | $16,550 |
| JOBE MATERIALS, L.P. | EL PASO, TX | $16,550 |
| FLEETPRIDE INC. | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.146(c)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Requirements for developing entry procedures for permit-required confined spaces. (2006-09-21)
- Questions regarding the Permit-Required Confined Space standard, 1910.146, and the Grain Handling standard, 1910.272. (2005-02-08)
- Requirements for posting signs for PRCSs. (1998-07-22)
- OSHA's policy concerning repeat violations and requirements for PRCS sign posting. (1998-03-18)
- Federal posting requirements. (1993-12-30)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.146(c) General requirements 1,090 citations
- 1910.146(c)(1) 293 citations
- 1910.146(c)(4) 253 citations
- 1910.146(c)(5) 63 citations
- 1910.146(c)(5)(ii) 59 citations
- 1910.146(c)(7) 50 citations
- 1910.146(c)(3) 40 citations
- 1910.146(c)(7)(iii) 33 citations
- 1910.146(c)(5)(ii)(C) 24 citations
- 1910.146(c)(8) 19 citations
- 1910.146(c)(9) 11 citations
- 1910.146(c)(5)(ii)(H) 10 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How must employees be told about permit spaces?
By posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means.
What should a permit space sign say?
A sign reading "DANGER--PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER" or similar language satisfies the requirement.
What must employees be told?
The existence and location of the permit spaces and the danger they pose.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.146 (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.