permits

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## §1910.146 Permit-required confined spaces. - (a) Scope and application. This section contains requirements for practices and procedures to protect employees in general industry from the hazards of entry into permit-required confined spaces. This section does not apply to agriculture, to construction, or to shipyard employment (parts 1928, 1926, and 1915 of this chapter, respectively). ## (b) Definitions. Acceptable entry conditions means the conditions that must exist in a permit space to allow entry and to ensure that employees involved with a permit-required confined space entry can safely enter into and work within the space. Attendant means an individual stationed outside one or more permit spaces who monitors the authorized entrants and who performs all attendant's duties assigned in the employer's permit space program. Authorized entrant means an employee who is authorized by the employer to enter a permit space. Blanking or blinding means the absolute closure of a pipe, line, or duct by the fastening of a solid plate (such as a spectacle blind or a skillet blind) that completely covers the bore and that is capable of withstanding the maximum pressure of the pipe, line, or duct with no leakage beyond the plate. Confined space means a space that: - (1) Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and - (2) Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry.); and - (3) Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. Double block and bleed means the closure of a line, duct, or pipe by closing and locking or tagging two in-line valves and by opening and locking or tagging a drain or vent valve in the line between the two closed valves. Emergency means any occurrence (including any failure of hazard control or monitoring equipment) or event internal or external to the permit …

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J Division 2 Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division ## (b) Entrants must: - (A) Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the type of hazard, as well as signs, symptoms, and consequences of exposure to those hazards. - (B) Communicate with the attendant as necessary so the attendant can monitor the entrant's status and to enable the attendant to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the space. - (C) Alert the attendant whenever the entrant detects a dangerous or hazardous condition or warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation. - (D) Exit from the permit space as quickly as possible whenever: - (i) An order to evacuate is given by the attendant or the entry supervisor, or - (ii) The entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation, or - (iii) The entrant detects a dangerous or hazardous condition, or - (iv) An evacuation alarm is activated. ## (c) Attendants must: - (A) Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the type of hazard, as well as signs, symptoms, and consequences of exposure to those hazards. - (B) Be aware of possible behavioral effects of hazard exposure in authorized entrants. - (C) Continuously maintain an accurate count of authorized entrants in the permit space and ensure that the means used to identify authorized entrants accurately identifies who is in the permit space. - (D) Remain outside the permit space during entry operations until relieved by another attendant. - (E) Communicate with authorized entrants as necessary to monitor entrant status and to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the space.

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## 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA) Entry permit (permit) means the written or printed document that is provided by the employer to allow and control entry into a permit space and that contains the information specified in paragraph (f) of this section. Entry supervisor means the person (such as the employer, foreman, or crew chief) responsible for determining if acceptable entry conditions are present at a permit space where entry is planned, for authorizing entry and overseeing entry operations, and for terminating entry as required by this section. NOTE: An entry supervisor also may serve as an attendant or as an authorized entrant, as long as that person is trained and equipped as required by this section for each role he or she fills. Also, the duties of entry supervisor may be passed from one individual to another during the course of an entry operation. Hazardous atmosphere means an atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (that is, escape unaided from a permit space), injury, or acute illness from one or more of the following causes: - (1) Flammable gas, vapor, or mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower flammable limit (LFL); - (2) Airborne combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its LFL; NOTE: This concentration may be approximated as a condition in which the dust obscures vision at a distance of 5 feet (1.52 m) or less. - (3) Atmospheric oxygen concentration below 19.5 percent or above 23.5 percent; - (4) Atmospheric concentration of any substance for which a dose or a permissible exposure limit is published in subpart G, Occupational Health and Environmental Control, or in subpart Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances, of this part and which could result in employee exposure in excess of its dose or permissible exposure limit; NOTE: An atmospheric concentration of any substance that is not capable of causing death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue, injury,…

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## 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA) - (C) The employer develops monitoring and inspection data that supports the demonstrations required by paragraphs (c)(5)(i)(A) and (c)(5)(i)(B) of this section; - (D) If an initial entry of the permit space is necessary to obtain the data required by paragraph (c)(5)(i)(C) of this section, the entry is performed in compliance with paragraphs (d) through (k) of this section; - (E) The determinations and supporting data required by paragraphs (c)(5)(i)(A), (c)(5)(i)(B), and (c)(5)(i)(C) of this section are documented by the employer and are made available to each employee who enters the permit space under the terms of paragraph (c)(5) of this section or to that employee's authorized representative; and - (F) Entry into the permit space under the terms of paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section is performed in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (c)(5)(ii) of this section. - NOTE: See paragraph (c)(7) of this section for reclassification of a permit space after all hazards within the space have been eliminated. - (ii) The following requirements apply to entry into permit spaces that meet the conditions set forth in paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section. - (A) Any conditions making it unsafe to remove an entrance cover shall be eliminated before the cover is removed. - (B) When entrance covers are removed, the opening shall be promptly guarded by a railing, temporary cover, or other temporary barrier that will prevent an accidental fall through the opening and that will protect each employee working in the space from foreign objects entering the space. - (C) Before an employee enters the space, the internal atmosphere shall be tested, with a calibrated direct-reading instrument, for oxygen content, for flammable gases and vapors, and for potential toxic air contaminants, in that order. Any employee who enters the space, or that employee's authorized representative, shall be provided an opportunity to observe the pre-entry testing required by …

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## 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA) - (2) Training shall be provided to each affected employee: - (i) Before the employee is first assigned duties under this section; - (ii) Before there is a change in assigned duties; - (iii) Whenever there is a change in permit space operations that presents a hazard about which an employee has not previously been trained; - (iv) Whenever the employer has reason to believe either that there are deviations from the permit space entry procedures required by paragraph (d)(3) of this section or that there are inadequacies in the employee's knowledge or use of these procedures. - (3) The training shall establish employee proficiency in the duties required by this section and shall introduce new or revised procedures, as necessary, for compliance with this section. - (4) The employer shall certify that the training required by paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(3) of this section has been accomplished. The certification shall contain each employee's name, the signatures or initials of the trainers, and the dates of training. The certification shall be available for inspection by employees and their authorized representatives. - (h) Duties of authorized entrants. The employer shall ensure that all authorized entrants: - (1) Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure; - (2) Properly use equipment as required by paragraph (d)(4) of this section; - (3) Communicate with the attendant as necessary to enable the attendant to monitor entrant status and to enable the attendant to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the space as required by paragraph (i)(6) of this section; - (4) Alert the attendant whenever: - (i) The entrant recognizes any warning sign or symptom of exposure to a dangerous situation, or - (ii) The entrant detects a prohibited condition; and - (5) Exit from the permit space as quickly as possible whenever: - (i) An order to evacuate is given by the att…

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J Division 2 Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - (H) Names of entrants and current attendants. - (I) The signature of the original supervisor authorizing entry. - (J) The current entry supervisor. - (K) Communication procedures for entrants and attendants to maintain contact during the entry. - (L) Equipment provided for safe entry, such as: - (i) Personal protective equipment (PPE). - (ii) Testing and monitoring equipment. - (iii) Communications equipment. - (iv) Alarm systems. - (v) Rescue equipment. - (M) Rescue services available, and how to contact them. - (N) Other information needed for safety in the particular permit space. - (O) Additional permits issued for work in the space, such as for hot work. - (P) Any problems, if any, encountered during the entry. - (c) Perform initial testing for atmospheric hazards, where necessary, before entry is made. - (d) Provide each entrant or their authorized representative with the results of any initial testing before they enter the space. - (e) Maintain safe entry conditions for the duration of the entry. - (A) When the space is too large to isolate, or is part of a continuous system, such as a sewer, ensure continuous monitoring where entrants are working for the duration of the entry. - (B) When an entrant or their authorized representative has reason to believe that the testing or monitoring was inadequate, re-test the space. - (f) Follow all actions and precautions identified on the permit. - (g) When conditions require the space to be evacuated, do not allow re-entry unless you: - (A) Re-assess the conditions of the space to ensure it is safe for re-entry and ensure the permit reflects the evacuation and subsequent reassessment; or

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## 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA) - (iv) Provide each authorized entrant or that employee's authorized representative an opportunity to observe the pre-entry and any subsequent testing or monitoring of permit spaces; - (v) Reevaluate the permit space in the presence of any authorized entrant or that employee's authorized representative who requests that the employer conduct such reevaluation because the entrant or representative has reason to believe that the evaluation of that space may not have been adequate; - (vi) Immediately provide each authorized entrant or that employee's authorized representative with the results of any testing conducted in accord with paragraph (d) of this section. NOTE: Atmospheric testing conducted in accordance with appendix B to §1910.146 would be considered as satisfying the requirements of this paragraph. For permit space operations in sewers, atmospheric testing conducted in accordance with appendix B, as supplemented by appendix E to §1910.146, would be considered as satisfying the requirements of this paragraph. - (6) Provide at least one attendant outside the permit space into which entry is authorized for the duration of entry operations; NOTE: Attendants may be assigned to monitor more than one permit space provided the duties described in paragraph (i) of this section can be effectively performed for each permit space that is monitored. Likewise, attendants may be stationed at any location outside the permit space to be monitored as long as the duties described in paragraph (i) of this section can be effectively performed for each permit space that is monitored. - (7) If multiple spaces are to be monitored by a single attendant, include in the permit program the means and procedures to enable the attendant to respond to an emergency affecting one or more of the permit spaces being monitored without distraction from the attendant's responsibilities under paragraph (i) of this section; - (8) Designate the persons who are to have active…

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Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division Oregon Administrative Rules AO 1-2025 Division 2 - (v) An employee reports of concerns about the effectiveness of the program. - (vi) Any other condition that affects employee safety or health. - (B) When revising the permit program to correct hazard-related deficiencies, do not allow entries into affected permit spaces to be made until the revisions are complete. - (C) Provide employees and their representatives access to the revised permit program. - (g) Review permits within one year of their cancellation to evaluate: - (A) The permit program. - (B) The protection provided to employees entering permit spaces. - (6) Permit Entry. - (a) Develop and implement procedures for issuing permits. Procedures must include how to: - (A) Evaluate the hazards of the space. - (B) Evaluate hazards of the work to be performed. - (C) Identify safe entry conditions. - (b) Entry permits must include the following information: - (A) The space to be entered. - (B) The purpose of the entry. - (C) The date, start, and stop times of the permit. - (D) The hazards of the space. - (E) Acceptable entry conditions. - (F) Results of initial tests and periodic monitoring performed to evaluate and identify the hazards and conditions of the space, or the period for continuous monitoring, accompanied by the names or initials of the testers and by an indication of when the tests were performed. - (G) Appropriate measures used before entry to isolate the space and eliminate or control hazards. - Examples of appropriate measures include the de-energizing and lockout or tagging of equipment, and procedures for purging, inerting, ventilating, and flushing permit spaces.

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## 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA) - (iv) Purging, inerting, flushing, or ventilating the permit space as necessary to eliminate or control atmospheric hazards; - (v) Providing pedestrian, vehicle, or other barriers as necessary to protect entrants from external hazards; and - (vi) Verifying that conditions in the permit space are acceptable for entry throughout the duration of an authorized entry. - (4) Provide the following equipment (specified in paragraphs (d)(4)(i) through (d)(4)(ix) of this section) at no cost to employees, maintain that equipment properly, and ensure that employees use that equipment properly: - (i) Testing and monitoring equipment needed to comply with paragraph (d)(5) of this section; - (ii) Ventilating equipment needed to obtain acceptable entry conditions; - (iii) Communications equipment necessary for compliance with paragraphs (h)(3) and (i)(5) of this section; - (iv) Personal protective equipment insofar as feasible engineering and work practice controls do not adequately protect employees; - (v) Lighting equipment needed to enable employees to see well enough to work safely and to exit the space quickly in an emergency; - (vi) Barriers and shields as required by paragraph (d)(3)(v) of this section. - (vii) Equipment, such as ladders, needed for safe ingress and egress by authorized entrants; - (viii) Rescue and emergency equipment needed to comply with paragraph (d)(9) of this section, except to the extent that the equipment is provided by rescue services; and - (ix) Any other equipment necessary for safe entry into and rescue from permit spaces. - (5) Evaluate permit space conditions as follows when entry operations are conducted: - (i) Test conditions in the permit space to determine if acceptable entry conditions exist before entry is authorized to begin, except that, if isolation of the space is infeasible because the space is large or is part of a continuous system (such as a sewer), pre-entry testing shall be performed to the extent feasibl…

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## 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA) - (1) The permit space to be entered; - (2) The purpose of the entry; - (3) The date and the authorized duration of the entry permit; - (4) The authorized entrants within the permit space, by name or by such other means (for example, through the use of rosters or tracking systems) as will enable the attendant to determine quickly and accurately, for the duration of the permit, which authorized entrants are inside the permit space; NOTE: This requirement may be met by inserting a reference on the entry permit as to the means used, such as a roster or tracking system, to keep track of the authorized entrants within the permit space. - (5) The personnel, by name, currently serving as attendants; - (6) The individual, by name, currently serving as entry supervisor, with a space for the signature or initials of the entry supervisor who originally authorized entry; - (7) The hazards of the permit space to be entered; - (8) The measures used to isolate the permit space and to eliminate or control permit space hazards before entry; - NOTE: Those measures can include the lockout or tagging of equipment and procedures for purging, inerting, ventilating, and flushing permit spaces. - (9) The acceptable entry conditions; - (10) The results of initial and periodic tests performed under paragraph (d)(5) of this section, accompanied by the names or initials of the testers and by an indication of when the tests were performed; - (11) The rescue and emergency services that can be summoned and the means (such as the equipment to use and the numbers to call) for summoning those services; - (12) The communication procedures used by authorized entrants and attendants to maintain contact during the entry; - (13) Equipment, such as personal protective equipment, testing equipment, communications equipment, alarm systems, and rescue equipment, to be provided for compliance with this section; - (14) Any other information whose inclusion is necessary, given the circu…

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## 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA) - (1) Knows the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the mode, signs or symptoms, and consequences of the exposure; - (2) Is aware of possible behavioral effects of hazard exposure in authorized entrants; - (3) Continuously maintains an accurate count of authorized entrants in the permit space and ensures that the means used to identify authorized entrants under paragraph (f)(4) of this section accurately identifies who is in the permit space; - (4) Remains outside the permit space during entry operations until relieved by another attendant; NOTE: When the employer's permit entry program allows attendant entry for rescue, attendants may enter a permit space to attempt a rescue if they have been trained and equipped for rescue operations as required by paragraph (k)(1) of this section and if they have been relieved as required by paragraph (i)(4) of this section. - (5) Communicates with authorized entrants as necessary to monitor entrant status and to alert entrants of the need to evacuate the space under paragraph (i)(6) of this section; - (6) Monitors activities inside and outside the space to determine if it is safe for entrants to remain in the space and orders the authorized entrants to evacuate the permit space immediately under any of the following conditions; - (i) If the attendant detects a prohibited condition; - (ii) If the attendant detects the behavioral effects of hazard exposure in an authorized entrant; - (iii) If the attendant detects a situation outside the space that could endanger the authorized entrants; or - (iv) If the attendant cannot effectively and safely perform all the duties required under paragraph (i) of this section; - (7) Summon rescue and other emergency services as soon as the attendant determines that authorized entrants may need assistance to escape from permit space hazards; - (8) Takes the following actions when unauthorized persons approach or enter a permit space while entry…

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## 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA) Prohibited condition means any condition in a permit space that is not allowed by the permit during the period when entry is authorized. Rescue service means the personnel designated to rescue employees from permit spaces. Retrieval system means the equipment (including a retrieval line, chest or full-body harness, wristlets, if appropriate, and a lifting device or anchor) used for non-entry rescue of persons from permit spaces. Testing means the process by which the hazards that may confront entrants of a permit space are identified and evaluated. Testing includes specifying the tests that are to be performed in the permit space. NOTE: Testing enables employers both to devise and implement adequate control measures for the protection of authorized entrants and to determine if acceptable entry conditions are present immediately prior to, and during, entry. - (c) General requirements. (1) The employer shall evaluate the workplace to determine if any spaces are permit- required confined spaces. NOTE: Proper application of the decision flow chart in appendix A to §1910.146 would facilitate compliance with this requirement. - (2) If the workplace contains permit spaces, the employer shall inform exposed employees, by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of and the danger posed by the permit spaces. NOTE: A sign reading 'DANGER-PERMIT-REQUIRED CONFINED SPACE, DO NOT ENTER' or using other similar language would satisfy the requirement for a sign. - (3) If the employer decides that its employees will not enter permit spaces, the employer shall take effective measures to prevent its employees from entering the permit spaces and shall comply with paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(6), and (c)(8) of this section. - (4) If the employer decides that its employees will enter permit spaces, the employer shall develop and implement a written permit space program that complies with this section. The …

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J Division 2 AO 1-2025 Oregon Administrative Rules Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - (A) Know the hazards that may be faced during entry, including information on the type of hazard, as well as signs, symptoms, and consequences of exposure to those hazards. - (B) Understand the means and methods to control and/or eliminate the hazards of the permit space. - (C) Verify, 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. - (D) Inform entrants and attendants of the hazards and conditions associated with the space and the methods used to eliminate and/or control those hazards. - (E) Terminate the entry and cancel the permit as required by the permit entry program. - (F) Verify that rescue services are available and that the means for summoning them are operable. - (G) Remove unauthorized individuals who enter or who attempt to enter the permit space during entry operations. - (H) Reevaluate the conditions within the space whenever responsibility for a permit space entry operation is transferred and at intervals dictated by the hazards and operations performed within the space. ## (9) Rescue. - (a) Before employees enter a permit space, develop and implement procedures to remove entrants in the event of an emergency or when they are unable to evacuate without outside assistance. These procedures must include: - (A) The process for summoning rescue services. Note: At a minimum, if an off-site rescue service is being considered, the employer must contact the service to plan and coordinate the evaluations required by the standard. Merely posting the service's number or planning to rely on the 911 emergency phone number to obtain these services at the time of a permit space emergency would not comply with the rescue requirements of the standard.…