What are the acceptable atmospheric levels for confined space entry under OSHA?

Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146, the atmosphere in a permit-required confined space must be tested before entry and monitored continuously during the work. Acceptable oxygen concentration is between 19.5 and 23.5 percent. Combustible gas must be below 10 percent of the lower explosive limit (LEL). Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) must be below 10 parts per million (ppm) as an 8-hour time-weighted average. Carbon monoxide (CO) must be below 25 ppm TWA. If any reading falls outside these limits, entry is not permitted until ventilation restores safe conditions or appropriate respiratory protection is used.

What are the roles of the entrant, attendant and entry supervisor?

The entrant is the worker who physically enters the confined space. They must know the hazards, use the required PPE and maintain communication with the attendant at all times. The attendant remains stationed outside the space, monitors conditions, keeps an accurate count of entrants, and is responsible for summoning rescue if an emergency occurs. The attendant must never enter the space. The entry supervisor authorizes the entry by verifying all permit conditions are met, ensures the team understands the hazards, and cancels the permit if conditions change.

What is the difference between a permit-required and a non-permit confined space?

A confined space is any space that is large enough for a worker to enter, has limited means of entry or exit, and is not designed for continuous occupancy. A permit-required confined space has one or more additional hazards, such as a hazardous atmosphere, potential for engulfment by liquids or solids, converging walls that could trap an entrant, or other recognized serious hazards. Non-permit confined spaces do not contain these additional hazards. If conditions change, a non-permit space can be reclassified as permit-required. Only permit-required spaces trigger the full 29 CFR 1910.146 programme requirements.

How long are confined space entry permits valid under OSHA?

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 states that the entry permit is valid only for the duration of the specific task or shift for which it was issued. If the task extends beyond the original permit duration, the conditions must be re-evaluated and a new permit issued. The entry supervisor must cancel the permit if any condition changes, such as a break in ventilation, a change in atmospheric readings, or a personnel change. All cancelled permits must be retained for at least one year per 29 CFR 1910.146(e)(6) so the employer can review the programme.

What rescue provisions does OSHA require for confined space entry?

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(9) requires employers to develop and implement rescue procedures before any entry into a permit-required confined space. There are three rescue methods: self-rescue (the entrant exits on their own), non-entry rescue (a retrieval system such as a tripod, winch and harness pulls the entrant out without anyone else entering), and entry rescue (a trained rescue team enters the space). OSHA requires retrieval systems be used whenever feasible. If an outside rescue service is designated, the employer must confirm the service can respond in a timely manner and has practiced rescue in spaces of similar configuration.

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Free OSHA confined space entry checklist (PDF-ready). Covers 29 CFR 1910.146 atmospheric testing ventilation rescue plan and permit roles. Download now.

Last updated: 2026-04-20

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 20 April 2026

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What is a osha confined space entry checklist?

An OSHA confined space entry checklist is a structured inspection form used to verify that all permit-required confined space entry requirements under 29 CFR 1910.146 have been met before any worker enters a confined space. MapTrack helps safety teams digitise confined space entry workflows so every checklist is completed on mobile and stored against the asset record with full traceability. The checklist covers atmospheric testing ventilation verification rescue plan confirmation communication procedures and the defined roles of the entrant attendant and entry supervisor.\n\nOSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.146 requires employers to evaluate confined spaces identify permit-required spaces and implement a written permit space program. The standard defines a confined space as a space large enough for a worker to enter that has limited means of entry or exit and is not designed for continuous occupancy. Permit-required confined spaces have one or more additional hazards including hazardous atmospheres engulfment potential converging walls or other recognised serious hazards. Completing this checklist before every entry ensures the team has systematically addressed atmospheric hazards ventilation needs rescue readiness and role assignments as required by the standard.

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Benefits of using this osha confined space entry checklist

Regulatory compliance: completing the checklist before every entry demonstrates compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 permit-required confined space requirements
Worker safety: systematic atmospheric testing and ventilation verification prevents exposure to oxygen-deficient toxic or flammable atmospheres
Role clarity: documenting the entrant attendant and entry supervisor for each entry ensures every person understands their responsibilities
Rescue readiness: confirming the rescue plan equipment and team before entry reduces response time if an emergency occurs
Audit trail: digitally signed checklists provide documented evidence of compliance for OSHA inspections and insurance audits
Consistency: every confined space entry follows the same verification process regardless of site crew or shift

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When you digitise confined space equipment checklists in MapTrack, you get:

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What to include in a osha confined space entry checklist

This osha confined space entry checklist covers 8 key areas:

Space identification: permit space number location description and reason for entry
Atmospheric testing: oxygen concentration (19.5 to 23.5 percent) combustible gas (below 10 percent LEL) and toxic gas readings (H2S CO) before and during entry
Ventilation: type of ventilation (natural or mechanical) airflow rate and placement of supply and exhaust points
Isolation of hazards: lockout tagout of energy sources blanking or disconnecting of piping and drainage of liquids
Communication: method of communication between entrant and attendant including voice visual and electronic options
Rescue plan: rescue method (self-rescue non-entry rescue or entry rescue) rescue team availability and rescue equipment on standby
Personal protective equipment: respiratory protection harness and retrieval line head protection and any additional PPE required for the specific hazard
Personnel roles: names of all authorised entrants the attendant and the entry supervisor with confirmation each has completed confined space training

How to use this osha confined space entry checklist

Identify the space and hazards: confirm the space is classified as a permit-required confined space under 29 CFR 1910.146 and identify all potential hazards including atmospheric engulfment and energy sources
Isolate and secure: lock out tag out all energy sources blank or disconnect piping and drain or purge the space as required then verify isolation is effective
Test the atmosphere: use a calibrated four-gas monitor to test oxygen combustible gas H2S and CO at multiple levels within the space before anyone enters. Record all readings on the checklist
Establish ventilation: set up mechanical ventilation if required and verify airflow is maintaining safe atmospheric conditions. Continue atmospheric monitoring throughout the entry
Confirm rescue readiness: verify the rescue plan is in place and the rescue team or service is available. Confirm retrieval equipment (tripod winch harness) is set up and functional
Assign and brief personnel: confirm the entry supervisor has reviewed all conditions the attendant is stationed at the entry point and all entrants understand the hazards communication methods and emergency procedures
Authorise entry: the entry supervisor signs the permit and checklist authorising entry only after all conditions are verified as safe

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How often should you complete this checklist?

A confined space entry checklist must be completed before every entry into a permit-required confined space. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 the entry permit and associated checklist are valid only for the duration of the specific task or shift. If conditions change such as a break in ventilation or a change in atmospheric readings the permit must be cancelled and a new checklist completed before re-entry.\n\nAtmospheric monitoring must be continuous or performed at intervals frequent enough to ensure the atmosphere remains safe for the duration of the entry. The entry supervisor is responsible for cancelling the permit if any condition on the checklist is no longer met. All completed checklists must be retained for at least one year as required by 29 CFR 1910.146(e)(6).

Frequently asked questions

What are the acceptable atmospheric levels for confined space entry under OSHA?: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146, the atmosphere in a permit-required confined space must be tested before entry and monitored continuously during the work. Acceptable oxygen concentration is between 19.5 and 23.5 percent. Combustible gas must be below 10 percent of the lower explosive limit (LEL). Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) must be below 10 parts per million (ppm) as an 8-hour time-weighted average. Carbon monoxide (CO) must be below 25 ppm TWA. If any reading falls outside these limits, entry is not permitted until ventilation restores safe conditions or appropriate respiratory protection is used.
What are the roles of the entrant, attendant and entry supervisor?: The entrant is the worker who physically enters the confined space. They must know the hazards, use the required PPE and maintain communication with the attendant at all times. The attendant remains stationed outside the space, monitors conditions, keeps an accurate count of entrants, and is responsible for summoning rescue if an emergency occurs. The attendant must never enter the space. The entry supervisor authorizes the entry by verifying all permit conditions are met, ensures the team understands the hazards, and cancels the permit if conditions change.
What is the difference between a permit-required and a non-permit confined space?: A confined space is any space that is large enough for a worker to enter, has limited means of entry or exit, and is not designed for continuous occupancy. A permit-required confined space has one or more additional hazards, such as a hazardous atmosphere, potential for engulfment by liquids or solids, converging walls that could trap an entrant, or other recognized serious hazards. Non-permit confined spaces do not contain these additional hazards. If conditions change, a non-permit space can be reclassified as permit-required. Only permit-required spaces trigger the full 29 CFR 1910.146 programme requirements.
How long are confined space entry permits valid under OSHA?: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 states that the entry permit is valid only for the duration of the specific task or shift for which it was issued. If the task extends beyond the original permit duration, the conditions must be re-evaluated and a new permit issued. The entry supervisor must cancel the permit if any condition changes, such as a break in ventilation, a change in atmospheric readings, or a personnel change. All cancelled permits must be retained for at least one year per 29 CFR 1910.146(e)(6) so the employer can review the programme.
What rescue provisions does OSHA require for confined space entry?: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146(d)(9) requires employers to develop and implement rescue procedures before any entry into a permit-required confined space. There are three rescue methods: self-rescue (the entrant exits on their own), non-entry rescue (a retrieval system such as a tripod, winch and harness pulls the entrant out without anyone else entering), and entry rescue (a trained rescue team enters the space). OSHA requires retrieval systems be used whenever feasible. If an outside rescue service is designated, the employer must confirm the service can respond in a timely manner and has practiced rescue in spaces of similar configuration.

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