1910.146(c)(4): Written Permit Space Program
If an employer decides its employees will enter permit-required confined spaces, it must develop and put in place a written permit space program that meets this section. The written program must be available for employees and their authorized representatives to inspect.
Key takeaways
- 1910.146(c)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 253 times in the last 3 years, in 253 inspections, with $569,535 in current penalties.
- 8 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (44), IL (27), MN (17).
- 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)(4) 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
(4) If the employer decides that its employees will enter permit spaces, the employer shall develop and implement a written permit space program that complies with this section. The written program shall be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives. 253 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.146.
Injuries linked to this rule
8 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.146(c)(4).
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 | 12 |
| 2024 | 96 |
| 2025 | 89 |
| 2026 | 56 |
Top states: MI (44), IL (27), MN (17), TN (17), NJ (16)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CLEAR CREEK SKIING CORPORATION | GEORGETOWN, CO | $130,000 |
| 109588 - LANG COMPANIES INC DBA LANG FEEDS INC | EDEN VALLEY, MN | $25,000 |
| KIRK WILLIAMS COMPANY INC. | GROVE CITY, OH | $16,550 |
| PCE PETROLEUM CONTRACTORS ENTERPRISES INC. | LAKE WORTH, FL | $16,550 |
| DK MANUFACTURING FRAZEYSBURG, INC | FRAZEYSBURG, OH | $14,895 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.146(c)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Applicability of the PRCS standard to aircraft maintenance activities. (2009-05-12)
- Whether written programs may be kept solely in an electronic format. (2008-09-16)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.146(c) General requirements 1,090 citations
- 1910.146(c)(2) 359 citations
- 1910.146(c)(1) 293 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
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
When is a written permit space program required?
When the employer decides that its employees will enter permit spaces.
Can employees see the written program?
Yes. It must be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives.
Is writing the program enough?
No. The employer must develop and implement the program.
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.