This topic covers OSHA’s Confined Spaces general industry regulation, which applies to spaces that have limited means of entry and/or exit and are not designed for continuous occupancy. Some confined spaces are classified as permit-required confined spaces. These spaces typically contain hazardous atmospheric conditions, pose engulfment or entrapment hazards, or contain other serious hazards. There is a separate rule for Confined Spaces (Construction).

Employers whose workplaces contain permit-required confined spaces must implement a comprehensive space-entry program. Entry into a permit-required confined space must be limited to authorized entrants. Other safety requirements include testing the confined space, monitoring entrants, establishing retrieval procedures, and providing appropriate training.

For related resources and training materials, refer to the following topics:

• Confined Space (Construction) for information on confined spaces at construction sites and for alteration or repair at general industry workplaces.
• Welding, Cutting, and Brazing for information on confined spaces in these operations
• Trenching (Construction) for information on excavation sites
• Underground Construction for information on the construction of tunnels, shafts, chambers, and passageways
• Ventilation for information on hazardous atmospheric conditions