1910.146(h): Duties of Authorized Entrants
Employers must make sure every authorized entrant knows the hazards of the permit space, uses required equipment properly, and communicates with the attendant. Entrants must alert the attendant about warning signs or prohibited conditions and exit as quickly as possible when ordered to evacuate, when they notice warning signs or prohibited conditions, or when an evacuation alarm sounds.
Key takeaways
- 1910.146(h) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 13 inspections, with $87,938 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (4), IL (3), OH (2).
- Related part: 1910.146(h)(1) (10 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.146(h) ("Duties of authorized entrants") is one requirement inside 1910.146 Permit-required confined spaces, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). It includes 11 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
(h) Duties of authorized entrants. The employer shall ensure that all authorized entrants: 16 citations
(1) Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure; Open (h)(1) 10 citations
(2) Properly use equipment as required by paragraph (d)(4) of this section; 1 citations
(3) Communicate with the attendant as necessary to enable the attendant to monitor entrant status and to enable the attendant to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the space as required by paragraph (i)(6) of this section; 3 citations
(4) Alert the attendant whenever:
(i) The entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation, or
(ii) The entrant detects a prohibited condition; and
(5) Exit from the permit space as quickly as possible whenever:
(i) An order to evacuate is given by the attendant or the entry supervisor,
(ii) The entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation,
(iii) The entrant detects a prohibited condition, or
(iv) An evacuation alarm is activated.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.146.
Export the list: 13 inspections cited 1910.146(h) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.146(h).
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 | 3 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: TX (4), IL (3), OH (2), TN (2), OK (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CLEAN HARBORS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC. | TWINSBURG, OH | $16,550 |
| TACTICAL CLEANING ACQUISITION, LLC | HARWOOD, TX | $16,550 |
| JOBE MATERIALS, L.P. | EL PASO, TX | $16,550 |
| DEAN EQUIPMENT INC. | PORT ARTHUR, TX | $10,000 |
| TOTAL CLEAN, LLC | HAZEL CREST, IL | $8,275 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.146(h), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.146(h).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.146(h)(1) 10 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must an authorized entrant know?
The hazards that may be faced during entry, including the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of exposure.
When must an entrant alert the attendant?
Whenever the entrant recognizes a warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation, or detects a prohibited condition.
When must an entrant leave the space?
As quickly as possible when an evacuation order is given, a warning sign or symptom is recognized, a prohibited condition is detected, or an evacuation alarm is activated.
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 2026-11-06
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.