1910.146(j)(2): Entry Supervisor Checks the Permit
Before signing the confined space entry permit and letting entry begin, the entry supervisor must check the permit entries to verify that all required tests were done and all required procedures and equipment are in place.
Key takeaways
- 1910.146(j)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 20 times in the last 3 years, in 19 inspections, with $211,830 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (4), OH (3), NJ (2).
- Related part: 1910.146(j) Duties of entry supervisors (37 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.146(j)(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) Verifies, by checking that the appropriate entries have been made on the permit, that all tests specified by the permit have been conducted and that all procedures and equipment specified by the permit are in place before endorsing the permit and allowing entry to begin; 20 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.146.
Export the list: 19 inspections cited 1910.146(j)(2) 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(j)(2).
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 | 1 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: TX (4), OH (3), NJ (2), IL (2), VA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| QUALAWASH HOLDINGS, LLC | LA PORTE, TX | $150,000 |
| CLEAN HARBORS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC. | TWINSBURG, OH | $16,550 |
| JOBE MATERIALS, L.P. | EL PASO, TX | $16,550 |
| AMERICAN GYPSUM CO | BERNALILLO, NM | $7,616 |
| MENNEL MILLING COMPANY | FOSTORIA, OH | $7,094 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.146(j)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.146(j)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.146(j) Duties of entry supervisors 37 citations
- 1910.146(j)(4) 10 citations
- 1910.146(j)(1) 3 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must the entry supervisor check before signing the permit?
That the permit shows all specified tests were conducted and all specified procedures and equipment are in place.
When must this check happen?
Before endorsing the permit and allowing entry to begin.
How is it verified?
By checking that the appropriate entries have been made on the permit.
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.