29 CFR 1926 · Construction · Subpart AA

1926.1204(d)(2): Ventilating Equipment for Entry

By Black Belt Safety Editorial Team Official text as of October 15, 2026 Data updated October 19, 2026 2 min read

In plain words:

Employers must provide ventilating equipment needed to obtain acceptable entry conditions for permit-required confined spaces in construction.

Key takeaways

  • 1926.1204(d)(2) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart AA).
  • OSHA cited it 3 times in the last 3 years, in 3 inspections, with $0 in current penalties.
  • 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
  • Related part: 1926.1204(d) (19 citations).
  • Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
3citations, 3 years
$0current penalties
3inspections
1linked deaths
In this article
  1. What this rule covers
  2. Official text
  3. Injuries linked to this rule
  4. Where and how often it was cited
  5. Free toolbox talk
  6. OSHA interpretation letters
  7. Related parts of this rule
  8. Get your crew competent
  9. Frequently asked questions
  10. About this page

What this rule covers

29 CFR 1926.1204(d)(2) is one requirement inside 1926.1204 Permit-required confined space program, 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

(2) Ventilating equipment needed to obtain acceptable entry conditions; 3 citations

Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1204.

Injuries linked to this rule

1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1204(d)(2).

Employee dies from oxygen-deficient atmosphere in manhole
2024-07-13 · Fatal · KANSAS CITY, MO

At 5:00 p.m. on July 13, 2024, Employee #1 entered a manhole to tape piping in preparation for pouring concrete inverts. Shortly after entry, a coworker, stationed topside, observed that Employee #1 appeared pale and was sweating profusely. When asked, Employee #1 indicated difficulty breathing.…

Where and how often it was cited

Free toolbox talk

A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1204(d)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.




OSHA interpretation letters

None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1204(d)(2).

Related parts of this rule

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

What equipment does this cover?

Ventilating equipment needed to obtain acceptable entry conditions.

Who provides it?

The employer.

Why is ventilation needed?

To obtain acceptable entry conditions.

About this page

Sources

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.

Written and reviewed by

Black Belt Safety Editorial Team

Site Safety Officer and Safety Professional

OSHA 30 · CPR · USACE CQM

Written and reviewed by the Black Belt Safety team. Every post is checked against the OSHA standard or agency source it cites.

Scroll to top