1926.1210: Duties of Entry Supervisors
The entry employer must ensure each entry supervisor knows the hazards of the space, verifies the permit's tests, procedures and equipment are in place before signing, and ends the entry and cancels or suspends the permit when required. The supervisor must also confirm rescue services are available, remove unauthorized people, and check that entry stays consistent with the permit when responsibility is transferred and at intervals set by the hazards.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1210 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart AA).
- OSHA cited it 5 times in the last 3 years, in 5 inspections, with $14,662 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most-cited part: 1926.1210(a) (2 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1210, "Duties of entry supervisors", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart AA). It has 6 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1926.1210 (6 paragraphs)
The entry employer must ensure that each entry supervisor:
(a) Is familiar with and understands the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure; Open (a) 2 citations
(b) 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;
(c) Terminates the entry and cancels or suspends the permit as required by § 1926.1205(e);
(d) Verifies that rescue services are available and that the means for summoning them are operable, and that the employer will be notified as soon as the services become unavailable; 3 citations
(e) Removes unauthorized individuals who enter or who attempt to enter the permit space during entry operations; and
(f) Determines, whenever responsibility for a permit space entry operation is transferred, and at intervals dictated by the hazards and operations performed within the space, that entry operations remain consistent with terms of the entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1210.
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 1926.1210, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1210.
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1926.1210(a) 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must an entry supervisor check before signing a permit?
That all tests specified by the permit have been done and all required procedures and equipment are in place.
What does the entry supervisor do about rescue?
Verifies rescue services are available, the means to call them works, and the employer will be notified as soon as services become unavailable.
What if an unauthorized person tries to enter?
The entry supervisor must remove unauthorized individuals who enter or attempt to enter the permit space.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1210 (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.