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Free OSHA confined space entry checklist
Free OSHA confined space entry checklist (PDF-ready). Covers 29 CFR 1910.146 atmospheric testing ventilation rescue plan and permit roles. Download now.
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34 checks · 6 sections · Sign-off
34 checks
The fields in the printable form, in a view that fits your screen.
- Permit number
- Space ID / location
- Date
- Entry supervisor
- Attendant
- Entrant(s)
Space Identification and Hazards
Isolation and Securing
Atmospheric Testing
Ventilation
Rescue and Communication
Personnel and PPE
Declaration & Sign-Off
I confirm that all items have been inspected/completed as indicated above. Any defects or concerns have been noted and reported.
Completed By
Printed name · Signature · Date
Reviewed / Approved By
Printed name · Signature · Date
The MapTrack OSHA confined space entry checklist contains 34 checks across 6 sections.
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Short answer
An OSHA confined space entry checklist records the pre-entry checks for a permit-required confined space: atmospheric testing, ventilation, isolation, rescue arrangements, communication and the named entrants, attendant and entry supervisor. It is completed before every entry. 29 CFR 1910.146 sets the permit space program, and the entry supervisor named on the permit signs it before entry begins.
Checked against OSHA 29 CFR 1910 (Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26)) on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates
Key takeaways
- The MapTrack OSHA confined space entry checklist contains 34 checks across 6 sections. Sections covered: Space Identification and Hazards, Isolation and Securing, Atmospheric Testing, Ventilation, Rescue and Communication, Personnel and PPE.
- Under 1910.146(e)(6), keep each cancelled entry permit for at least one year and note any problems met during the entry on it.
- A permit may not last longer than the task it covers (1910.146(e)(4)) and is cancelled if a disallowed condition arises.
- A hazardous atmosphere includes oxygen below 19.5 or above 23.5 percent, or flammable gas over 10 percent of its LFL.
- Retrieval systems must be used whenever an entrant goes in, unless they would increase risk or not help rescue (1910.146(k)(3)).
What is an 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.
OSHA 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
What to include in an OSHA confined space entry checklist
- 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 all potential hazards before any preparation work begins.
Confirm the space is classified as a permit-required confined space under 29 CFR 1910.146. Review the site-specific hazard assessment to identify atmospheric hazards, engulfment potential, energy sources, mechanical hazards and any converging wall or floor configurations. Document each identified hazard on the checklist.
Isolate and secure all energy sources using lockout tagout procedures.
Lock out and tag out all electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic energy sources. Blank or disconnect piping that could introduce hazardous substances. Drain or purge the space as required by the hazard assessment. Verify that isolation is effective before proceeding to atmospheric testing.
Test the atmosphere at multiple levels using a calibrated four-gas monitor.
Use a calibrated four-gas monitor to test oxygen, combustible gas, H2S and CO at the top, middle and bottom of the space before anyone enters. Record all readings on the checklist with the time and the name of the tester. Do not authorise entry if any reading is outside acceptable limits.
Establish mechanical ventilation and verify airflow is maintaining safe conditions.
Set up mechanical ventilation if required by the atmospheric conditions or the permit space programme. Verify airflow rate and placement of supply and exhaust points to ensure effective air exchange throughout the space. Continue atmospheric monitoring for the entire duration of the entry.
Confirm rescue readiness including equipment, personnel and response procedures.
Verify the rescue plan is in place and the rescue team or external rescue service is available and on standby. Confirm retrieval equipment including the tripod, winch, harness and retrieval line is set up at the entry point and fully functional. Test communication between the attendant and rescue team.
Assign personnel roles, brief all team members and confirm training records.
Confirm the entry supervisor has reviewed all conditions and is satisfied. Station the attendant at the entry point with a clear line of sight into the space. Brief all entrants on the specific hazards, communication methods, emergency evacuation signals and the rescue procedure. Verify all personnel hold current confined space training.
Authorise entry only after all checklist conditions are verified as safe.
The entry supervisor reviews every item on the completed checklist and signs the permit to authorise entry. Entry is not permitted until every condition is verified as safe, every role is assigned and every piece of rescue equipment is staged and tested. Post the signed permit at the entry point for the duration of the work.
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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.
Atmospheric 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).
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Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about the form, record keeping and using MapTrack.
Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146, the atmosphere in a permit-required confined space must be tested before entry and tested or monitored as necessary 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). Toxic gases must stay below their OSHA permissible exposure limits: for hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a 20 parts per million (ppm) ceiling with a 50 ppm 10-minute peak, and for carbon monoxide (CO), 50 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average. If any reading falls outside these limits, entry is not permitted until ventilation restores safe conditions or appropriate respiratory protection is used.
Link to this answerThe 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.
Link to this answerA 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.
Link to this answerOSHA 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.
Link to this answerOSHA 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.
Link to this answerYes. Download and use this OSHA confined space entry checklist for free. It downloads as a ready-to-print PDF. No MapTrack account is required. If you later want digital confined space entry workflows with atmospheric test logging, electronic sign-on, automatic audit trails and asset-linked records, MapTrack can help. Book a demo to see how it works.
Link to this answerApplicable regulatory standards
This form is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The form alone does not establish compliance.
| Standard | Edition | Clauses this template relies on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 CFR Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health StandardsGeneral industry permit spaces: evaluation, written program, program content, rescue and retrieval, the hazardous atmosphere definition, permit duration and one-year permit retention. | Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26) |
| US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (text via eCFR) |
| 29 CFR Part 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for ConstructionConfined spaces in construction, 1926.1201 to 1926.1213, for entries on construction sites. | Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26) |
| US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (text via eCFR) |
| Safety Requirements for Entering Confined SpacesVoluntary consensus standard, retitled Safety Requirements for Entering Confined Spaces in the 2022 edition. | ANSI/ASSP Z117.1-2022 | Whole instrument | American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)Sold by the publisher |
| Guide for Safe Confined Space Entry and WorkNFPA guide to safe confined space entry and work; guidance, not a mandatory standard. | NFPA 350, 2022 edition | Whole instrument | National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)Sold by the publisher |
29 CFR Part 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards
Edition: Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26)
General industry permit spaces: evaluation, written program, program content, rescue and retrieval, the hazardous atmosphere definition, permit duration and one-year permit retention.
- 1910.146: Permit-required confined spaces in general industry: evaluation, written programme, permits, atmospheric testing, attendants and rescue.
- 1910.146(c): General requirements: evaluate the workplace for permit spaces, warn employees, and develop a written programme if employees will enter.
- 1910.146(d): Sets what the permit space programme must include, from acceptable entry conditions and testing to attendants, rescue and review.
- 1910.146(k): Rescue and emergency services: evaluating and preparing designated rescuers, and retrieval systems for entrants.
- 1910.146(b): Definitions, including hazardous atmosphere: flammable gas over 10 percent of its LFL, oxygen below 19.5 or above 23.5 percent, or a substance above its OSHA exposure limit.
- 1910.146(e)(4): An entry permit may last no longer than the time needed to complete the task or job it identifies.
- 1910.146(e)(6): Keep each cancelled entry permit for at least 1 year for the programme review, noting on it any problems met during the entry.
- 1910.146(k)(3): Retrieval systems or methods are used whenever an entrant enters a permit space, unless they would increase the overall risk or not help rescue the entrant.
US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (text via eCFR)
29 CFR Part 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction
Edition: Current eCFR text, up to date as of 2026-10-22 (read 2026-10-26)
Confined spaces in construction, 1926.1201 to 1926.1213, for entries on construction sites.
- Subpart AA: Confined spaces in construction, 1926.1201 to 1926.1213: evaluation, permit programme, permits, entry roles and rescue.
US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (text via eCFR)
Safety Requirements for Entering Confined Spaces
Edition: ANSI/ASSP Z117.1-2022
Voluntary consensus standard, retitled Safety Requirements for Entering Confined Spaces in the 2022 edition.
American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)Sold by the publisher
Guide for Safe Confined Space Entry and Work
Edition: NFPA 350, 2022 edition
NFPA guide to safe confined space entry and work; guidance, not a mandatory standard.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)Sold by the publisher
Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.
MapTrack publishes this template. The linked authorities publish their own guidance; they haven't endorsed this form.
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The MapTrack OSHA confined space entry checklist contains 34 checks across 6 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack OSHA Confined Space Entry Checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/osha-confined-space-entry-checklist
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). OSHA Confined Space Entry Checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/osha-confined-space-entry-checklist
Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/templates/osha-confined-space-entry-checklist.
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<p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
<p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">OSHA Confined Space Entry Checklist</p>
<ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Space identification: permit space number location description and reason for entry</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">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</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Ventilation: type of ventilation (natural or mechanical) airflow rate and placement of supply and exhaust points</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Isolation of hazards: lockout tagout of energy sources blanking or disconnecting of piping and drainage of liquids</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Communication: method of communication between entrant and attendant including voice visual and electronic options</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Rescue plan: rescue method (self-rescue non-entry rescue or entry rescue) rescue team availability and rescue equipment on standby</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/osha-confined-space-entry-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">OSHA Confined Space Entry Checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
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About the author
Co-Founder & Commercial Director
Jarrod has spent over a decade in technology consulting and asset management, including roles at Accenture (mining and heavy industry) and CGI as an Asset Management Consultant. He co-founded MapTrack and built and scaled its original platform, then rebuilt it with Lachlan and Alex from thousands of customer conversations and 300+ user research sessions with field teams. His consulting background gives him deep insight into the operational and compliance challenges facing asset-intensive Australian businesses.
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