1910.146 Confined Spaces: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Covers confined spaces such as tanks, vaults, silos, pits, and vessels that contain or could contain a hazardous atmosphere, engulfment material, a configuration that could trap a worker, or other serious hazards. Employers must evaluate their workplace to identify these spaces, inform employees with signs or other means, and, if workers will enter, implement a written permit space program. The program includes atmospheric testing, entry permits, attendants, training for entrants, attendants, and supervisors, and arrangements for rescue.
What the standard requires
- Evaluate the workplace to identify permit-required confined spaces
- Inform employees of permit spaces with danger signs or equivalent
- Implement a written permit space program when employees enter
- Test atmospheres and use entry permits before entry
- Train entrants, attendants, and supervisors and arrange rescue services
Hazards it addresses
- Asphyxiation in oxygen-deficient atmospheres
- Toxic gas exposure
- Engulfment by grain, sludge, or liquids
- Entrapment
Often cited in manufacturing, water and wastewater treatment, food processing, and agriculture.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910.146(c)(2) | Informing exposed employees by posting danger signs | 98 | 98 | $0 |
| 1910.146(c)(1) | Evaluation of the workplace for permit-required confined spaces | 79 | 79 | $2,838 |
| 1910.146(c)(4) | Written permit space program when employees will enter | 76 | 76 | $825 |
| 1910.146(g)(1) | Training of entrants, attendants, and entry supervisors | 56 | 56 | $0 |
| 1910.146(e)(1) | 38 | 38 | $0 | |
| 1910.146(d)(9) | Permit-required confined space program elements | 26 | 26 | $4,100 |
| 1910.146(d)(3) | Permit-required confined space program elements | 24 | 24 | $1,000 |
| 1910.146(d)(5)(i) | Permit-required confined space program elements | 20 | 20 | $0 |
| 1910.146(d)(2) | Permit-required confined space program elements | 18 | 18 | $11,870 |
| 1910.146(d)(4)(i) | Permit-required confined space program elements | 18 | 16 | $10,521 |
| 1910.146(k)(1) | Rescue and emergency services | 17 | 17 | $1,000 |
| 1910.146(g)(4) | Training of entrants, attendants, and entry supervisors | 16 | 16 | $0 |
| 1910.146(c)(3) | 12 | 12 | $199 | |
| 1910.146(d)(6) | Permit-required confined space program elements | 12 | 12 | $0 |
| 1910.146(k)(2)(iv) | Rescue and emergency services | 10 | 10 | $0 |
Penalties
Across 772 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $3,572,131 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $2,811,498, 21% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 87%; Other-than-serious 12%; Willful 1%; Repeat 1%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 31 | 84 | $81,800 | $55,400 |
| New Jersey | 22 | 34 | $170,450 | $170,450 |
| Virginia | 19 | 41 | $239,084 | $236,960 |
| Minnesota | 15 | 56 | $268,100 | $247,510 |
| Texas | 14 | 89 | $1,110,670 | $783,734 |
| Illinois | 13 | 39 | $195,470 | $40,927 |
| Tennessee | 13 | 49 | $23,700 | $22,650 |
| Connecticut | 12 | 37 | $4,700 | $3,414 |
| Massachusetts | 12 | 18 | $0 | $0 |
| New York | 12 | 34 | $68,023 | $59,612 |
| North Carolina | 11 | 39 | $85,175 | $81,638 |
| Wisconsin | 11 | 24 | $61,324 | $45,048 |
| Ohio | 9 | 37 | $233,902 | $190,441 |
| Arizona | 7 | 19 | $78,741 | $77,677 |
| Pennsylvania | 6 | 24 | $65,068 | $70,668 |
| Iowa | 5 | 15 | $205,235 | $195,047 |
| South Carolina | 4 | 9 | $29,500 | $28,625 |
| Vermont | 4 | 11 | $28,771 | $18,275 |
| Alabama | 3 | 6 | $4,965 | $2,979 |
| Kentucky | 3 | 5 | $20,000 | $17,900 |
By industry
- Manufacturing: 104 inspections
- Utilities: 44 inspections
- Construction: 33 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 20 inspections
- Wholesale trade: 11 inspections
- Transportation & warehousing: 10 inspections
- Public administration: 7 inspections
- Other services: 6 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seneca Town Water Department | Stanley, NY | Sep 1, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Oct 20, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Ardmore - Parks and Recreation | Ardmore, TN | Aug 31, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Point O Woods Golf and Country Club | Benton Harbor, MI | Aug 28, 2026 | 2 | $1,500 | $750 | Informal settlementAbatement due Oct 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Total Clean, LLC | Hazel Crest, IL | Aug 28, 2026 | 6 | $165,500 | $24,825 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Northeastern Illinois Railway Services, Inc. | Sheldon, IL | Aug 27, 2026 | 16 | $14,472 | $7,236 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 14, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Dorman Products, Inc. | Harrisburg, PA | Aug 26, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $5,600 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 22, 2026 | osha.gov |
| UFP Ventures II, Inc. | Prairie Du Chien, WI | Aug 25, 2026 | 1 | $7,236 | $5,065 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Otis Elevator Company | New York, NY | Aug 24, 2026 | 5 | $33,100 | $33,100 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 3, 2026Contested Sep 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Viobin Products LLC | Monticello, IL | Aug 24, 2026 | 3 | $3,015 | $2,110 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Trial Court Facilities Management and Capital Planning Department | Pittsfield, MA | Aug 24, 2026 | 3 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Southern Air Holdco LLC | Shavano Park, TX | Aug 20, 2026 | 1 | $12,768 | $12,768 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 16, 2026Contested Sep 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Portercare Adventist Health System | Castle Rock, CO | Aug 20, 2026 | 1 | $9,457 | $4,728 | Informal settlementAbatement due Oct 2, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Strong Steel Products, LLC | Detroit, MI | Aug 18, 2026 | 7 | $4,200 | $4,200 | OpenAbatement due Sep 21, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Joe Krentzman & Son, Inc. | Hollidaysburg, PA | Aug 14, 2026 | 1 | $7,944 | $7,944 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| The Town of Rocky Mount | Rocky Mount, VA | Aug 14, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Oct 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Harding's Friendly Market Store 362 | Three Oaks, MI | Aug 14, 2026 | 2 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Global Service Centers, LLC | Theodore, AL | Aug 13, 2026 | 4 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Hydro Service - Supplies, Inc. | Durham, NC | Aug 11, 2026 | 7 | $16,000 | $16,000 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Union TN Hwy Maintenance Garage | Endwell, NY | Aug 10, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Ipmf LLC | Janesville, WI | Aug 7, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Pepper's Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority | Fairlawn, VA | Aug 7, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 10, 2026Contested Aug 21, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Michigan Milk Producers Association | Constantine, MI | Aug 5, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 15, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Town of Windsor Locks | Windsor Locks, CT | Aug 4, 2026 | 1 | $280 | $140 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Lowell Regional Water Utility | Lowell, MA | Aug 4, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Sep 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art | Hartford, CT | Aug 3, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Sep 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Agri-Nutrients Company, Inc. | Disputanta, VA | Jul 27, 2026 | 6 | $48,870 | $48,870 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 20, 2026Contested Aug 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Acme Services of Durham, Inc. | Durham, NC | Jul 27, 2026 | 12 | $8,750 | $5,250 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Ann River Winery LLC | Mora, MN | Jul 24, 2026 | 4 | $3,000 | $1,800 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Sullivan Precision Plate, LLC | Hartland, WI | Jul 24, 2026 | 1 | $6,621 | $2,500 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 19, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Great Lakes Water Authority | Detroit, MI | Jul 24, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Welded Tube USA, Inc. | Lackawanna, NY | Jul 23, 2026 | 3 | $14,070 | $14,000 | OpenAbatement due Aug 18, 2026Contest deadline ~Aug 13, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Athens Foods, Inc. | Brook Park, OH | Jul 23, 2026 | 7 | $47,664 | $47,664 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 18, 2026Contested Aug 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Samson Extracts, LLC | Geneva, AL | Jul 23, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 13, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Borough of Atlantic Highlands Water Department | Atlantic Highlands, NJ | Jul 22, 2026 | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 5, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Pro Powder Inc. | South Haven, MI | Jul 22, 2026 | 3 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department | Rocky Hill, CT | Jul 21, 2026 | 5 | $640 | $320 | Informal settlementAbatement due Nov 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Eastern Environmental Contractors, Inc. | Easton, PA | Jul 21, 2026 | 4 | $11,254 | $11,254 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 14, 2026Contested Aug 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Town of Somers | Somers, CT | Jul 17, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 19, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Smith Utility District Water Treatment Plant | Carthage, TN | Jul 17, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Aug 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Ontario Hardwood Company, Inc. | Keysville, VA | Jul 16, 2026 | 1 | $2,885 | $2,020 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1910.147 Lockout/Tagout (102 shared inspections)
- 1910.1200 Hazard Communication (85 shared inspections)
- 1910.134 Respiratory Protection (67 shared inspections)
- 1910.132 PPE General Requirements (61 shared inspections)
- 1910.28 Fall Protection Duty (50 shared inspections)
- 1910.212 Machine Guarding (41 shared inspections)
- 1910.305 Wiring Methods (38 shared inspections)
- 1910.303 Electrical General (37 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1910.146 require?
Covers confined spaces such as tanks, vaults, silos, pits, and vessels that contain or could contain a hazardous atmosphere, engulfment material, a configuration that could trap a worker, or other serious hazards. Employers must evaluate their workplace to identify these spaces, inform employees with signs or other means, and, if workers will enter, implement a written permit space program. The program includes atmospheric testing, entry permits, attendants, training for entrants, attendants, and supervisors, and arrangements for rescue.
How often was 1910.146 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1910.146 (Confined Spaces) appeared in 258 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 772 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1910.146 is cited most?
1910.146(c)(2) was the most-cited paragraph, with 98 items: Informing exposed employees by posting danger signs
Which states cite 1910.146 most often?
The most citations under 1910.146 in this period were issued in Michigan, New Jersey, Virginia.
What is the typical penalty for a 1910.146 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $560; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $0. Totals: $3,572,131 proposed, $2,811,498 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1910.146 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 25% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.