1926.1203(a): Identify Confined Spaces Before Work
Before work begins at a worksite, each employer must have a competent person identify all confined spaces where its employees may work, and identify which are permit spaces, by evaluating each space's elements and testing as necessary.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1203(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart AA).
- OSHA cited it 59 times in the last 3 years, in 59 inspections, with $316,719 in current penalties.
- 8 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (10), TX (8), VA (6).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1203(a) is one requirement inside 1926.1203 General requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart AA). 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
(a) Before it begins work at a worksite, each employer must ensure that a competent person identifies all confined spaces in which one or more of the employees it directs may work, and identifies each space that is a permit space, through consideration and evaluation of the elements of that space, including testing as necessary. 59 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1203.
Injuries linked to this rule
8 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1203(a).
At 11:30 a.m. on December 20, 2024, Employee #1 was working beneath a fiberglasspool shell, packing small gravel into voids. While he was underneath, excavationequipment ran over the shell. Employee #1 was struck by the excavator bucket andsustained fatal blunt force trauma.
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 | 5 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 24 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: MI (10), TX (8), VA (6), AK (4), AZ (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GLOBAL EARTHWORKS + UNDERGROUND LLC | KANSAS CITY, MO | $43,530 |
| PLW WATERWORKS, LLC | LAREDO, TX | $16,550 |
| CONSTRUCTION LABOR SERVICES, INC. | MOBILE, AL | $16,550 |
| CARDINAL GLASS INDUSTRIES, INC. | BUFORD, GA | $16,131 |
| ALASKA DEMOLITION, LLC | GIRDWOOD, AK | $16,131 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1203(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1203(a).
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
When must confined spaces be identified?
Before the employer begins work at a worksite.
Who identifies the spaces?
A competent person.
How are permit spaces identified?
Through consideration and evaluation of the elements of the space, including testing as necessary.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1203 (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 2026-10-19
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.