1910.146(e): Confined Space Entry Permits
Before entry into a permit space, employers must document required preparations on an entry permit, which the entry supervisor signs to authorize entry and which is posted at the entry portal or made available to entrants. The permit may not last longer than the task, and the entry supervisor must cancel it when the work is done or a prohibited condition arises. Canceled permits must be kept for at least 1 year, with problems noted.
Key takeaways
- 1910.146(e) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 147 times in the last 3 years, in 133 inspections, with $502,845 in current penalties.
- 11 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (17), IL (11), PA (11).
- Related part: 1910.146(e)(1) (104 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.146(e) ("Permit system") is one requirement inside 1910.146 Permit-required confined spaces, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). 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
(e) Permit system. 147 citations
(1) Before entry is authorized, the employer shall document the completion of measures required by paragraph (d)(3) of this section by preparing an entry permit. Open (e)(1) 104 citations
Appendix D to § 1910.146 presents examples of permits whose elements are considered to comply with the requirements of this section.
(2) Before entry begins, the entry supervisor identified on the permit shall sign the entry permit to authorize entry. Open (e)(2) 3 citations
(3) The completed permit shall be made available at the time of entry to all authorized entrants or their authorized representatives, by posting it at the entry portal or by any other equally effective means, so that the entrants can confirm that pre-entry preparations have been completed. Open (e)(3) 4 citations
(4) The duration of the permit may not exceed the time required to complete the assigned task or job identified on the permit in accordance with paragraph (f)(2) of this section. 8 citations
(5) The entry supervisor shall terminate entry and cancel the entry permit when: Open (e)(5) 10 citations
(i) The entry operations covered by the entry permit have been completed; or 7 citations
(ii) A condition that is not allowed under the entry permit arises in or near the permit space.
(6) The employer shall retain each canceled entry permit for at least 1 year to facilitate the review of the permit-required confined space program required by paragraph (d)(14) of this section. Any problems encountered during an entry operation shall be noted on the pertinent permit so that appropriate revisions to the permit space program can be made. Open (e)(6) 18 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.146.
Injuries linked to this rule
11 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.146(e).
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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 54 |
| 2025 | 47 |
| 2026 | 37 |
Top states: MI (17), IL (11), PA (11), NJ (9), MN (8)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MICHIGAN SUGAR COMPANY | BAY CITY, MI | $70,000 |
| TACTICAL CLEANING ACQUISITION, LLC | HARWOOD, TX | $35,748 |
| HITACHI ENERGY USA, INC. | CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MS | $16,550 |
| CLEAN HARBORS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC. | TWINSBURG, OH | $16,550 |
| HEIDELBERG MATERIALS US CEMENT, LLC | MIDDLEBRANCH, OH | $16,550 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.146(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Retention of atmospheric monitoring records for a permit-required confined space (2023-11-03)
- Federal posting requirements. (1993-12-30)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.146(e)(1) 104 citations
- 1910.146(e)(6) 18 citations
- 1910.146(e)(5) 10 citations
- 1910.146(e)(3) 4 citations
- 1910.146(e)(2) 3 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
Who signs the entry permit?
The entry supervisor identified on the permit, before entry begins.
How long can a permit last?
No longer than the time required to complete the assigned task or job on the permit.
How long are canceled permits kept?
For at least 1 year, to support the review of the permit space 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.