1910.146(k)(2): In-House Permit Space Rescue Teams
Employers whose employees are designated to provide permit space rescue must provide needed PPE and training at no cost, train them in assigned rescue duties and as authorized entrants, train them in basic first aid and CPR with at least one certified member available, and have them practice rescues at least once every 12 months using simulated rescues from actual or representative permit spaces.
Key takeaways
- 1910.146(k)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 38 times in the last 3 years, in 32 inspections, with $91,788 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: CT (6), NJ (6), IL (6).
- Related part: 1910.146(k) Rescue and emergency services (204 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.146(k)(2) is one requirement inside 1910.146 Permit-required confined spaces, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). It includes 4 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
(2) An employer whose employees have been designated to provide permit space rescue and emergency services shall take the following measures: 38 citations
(i) Provide affected employees with the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to conduct permit space rescues safely and train affected employees so they are proficient in the use of that PPE, at no cost to those employees; 1 citations
(ii) Train affected employees to perform assigned rescue duties. The employer must ensure that such employees successfully complete the training required to establish proficiency as an authorized entrant, as provided by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this section; 4 citations
(iii) Train affected employees in basic first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The employer shall ensure that at least one member of the rescue team or service holding a current certification in first aid and CPR is available; and Open (k)(2)(iii) 5 citations
(iv) Ensure that affected employees practice making permit space rescues at least once every 12 months, by means of simulated rescue operations in which they remove dummies, manikins, or actual persons from the actual permit spaces or from representative permit spaces. Representative permit spaces shall, with respect to opening size, configuration, and accessibility, simulate the types of permit spaces from which rescue is to be performed. Open (k)(2)(iv) 26 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(k)(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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: CT (6), NJ (6), IL (6), ME (4), TN (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HITACHI ENERGY USA, INC. | CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MS | $16,550 |
| CLEAN HARBORS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC. | TWINSBURG, OH | $16,550 |
| BOROUGH OF BELLMAWR SEWER DEPARTMENT | BELLMAWR, NJ | $9,800 |
| CPX2023XT3633X0122 - FRANKLIN FOODS, INC. | CASA GRANDE, AZ | $8,930 |
| TACTICAL CLEANING ACQUISITION LLC | DANVILLE, IL | $7,647 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.146(k)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Frequency of refresher training for first aid and CPR (2023-02-23)
- Automated External Defibrillator training is not specifically required by the Permit-Required Confined Space standard; AEDs are not required first aid supplies. (2004-06-17)
- OSHA Instruction CPL 2-2.53, Guidelines for First Aid Training Programs. (1997-08-21)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.146(k) Rescue and emergency services 204 citations
- 1910.146(k)(1) 123 citations
- 1910.146(k)(3) 43 citations
- 1910.146(k)(1)(i) 29 citations
- 1910.146(k)(1)(ii) 27 citations
- 1910.146(k)(2)(iv) 26 citations
- 1910.146(k)(3)(i) 10 citations
- 1910.146(k)(1)(v) 10 citations
- 1910.146(k)(3)(ii) 9 citations
- 1910.146(k)(2)(iii) 5 citations
- 1910.146(k)(1)(iv) 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How often must an in-house rescue team practice?
At least once every 12 months, by simulated rescue operations removing dummies, manikins or actual persons from actual or representative permit spaces.
Does the team need first aid and CPR?
Yes. Members must be trained in basic first aid and CPR, and at least one member with current certification in first aid and CPR must be available.
Who pays for rescue PPE and training?
The employer, at no cost to those employees.
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.