1910.146(d)(4)(i): Testing and Monitoring Equipment for Permit Spaces
As part of the permit-required confined space program, employers must provide the testing and monitoring equipment needed to comply with paragraph (d)(5) of the confined spaces standard.
Key takeaways
- 1910.146(d)(4)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 33 times in the last 3 years, in 29 inspections, with $193,155 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (7), OH (6), NY (3).
- Related part: 1910.146(d) Permit-required confined space program (480 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.146(d)(4)(i) 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
(i) Testing and monitoring equipment needed to comply with paragraph (d)(5) of this section; 33 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.146.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.146(d)(4)(i).
At approximately 9:34 a.m. on January 10, 2025, an employee was directed to enter a 23,737-gallon rail tank car containing residues of PCBs and transformer oil to obtain wipe samples of the interior surfaces. The rail tank car was a permit-required confined space. The employee…
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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: TX (7), OH (6), NY (3), TN (3), CT (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CLEAN HARBORS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC. | TWINSBURG, OH | $49,650 |
| GREAT LAKES TANK & VESSEL LLC | LODI, OH | $32,265 |
| H2O INNOVATION OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE, LLC | TRINITY, TX | $16,550 |
| FLEETPRIDE INC. | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | $16,550 |
| PSC CUSTOM, LLC | FRIENDLY, WV | $15,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.146(d)(4)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.146(d)(4)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.146(d) Permit-required confined space program 480 citations
- 1910.146(d)(3) 107 citations
- 1910.146(d)(5) 91 citations
- 1910.146(d)(4) 66 citations
- 1910.146(d)(9) 63 citations
- 1910.146(d)(5)(i) 58 citations
- 1910.146(d)(2) 40 citations
- 1910.146(d)(6) 31 citations
- 1910.146(d)(14) 23 citations
- 1910.146(d)(10) 17 citations
- 1910.146(d)(1) 16 citations
- 1910.146(d)(3)(iii) 15 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
What equipment does this paragraph cover?
Testing and monitoring equipment needed to comply with paragraph (d)(5) of 1910.146.
Who must provide it?
The employer, as part of the permit space program.
Is this in the general industry confined space rule?
Yes. It is in 1910.146, Permit-required confined spaces.
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.