Updated December 2025
If you work on construction sites in 2025, you must follow OSHA’s dedicated confined space rule — 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA (Confined Spaces in Construction). It is NOT the same as the general-industry rule (1910.146).
This guide gives you everything you need today: exact OSHA requirements, step-by-step procedures, roles, testing order, alternate procedures, rescue rules, and free downloadable templates that are 100% compliant in 2025.
What Is a Confined Space in Construction? (OSHA Definition – 1926.1202)
A confined space meets ALL three criteria:
- Large enough for a worker to enter and perform work
- Has limited or restricted means of entry or exit
- Is not designed for continuous occupancy
Common construction examples:
- Manholes & utility vaults
- Storm/sanitary sewers
- Crawl spaces
- Storage tanks & process vessels
- Boilers
- Excavations with restricted access
- Pier caissons & pipelines
When Does It Become Permit-Required (PRCS)?
A space becomes permit-required if it has (or has potential for) ANY of these:
- Hazardous atmosphere (oxygen <19.5% or >23.5%, LEL ≥10%, toxic above PEL)
- Engulfment hazard
- Inwardly converging walls or floor that slopes downward and tapers
- Any other recognized serious safety or health hazard
Key Differences: Construction Rule vs. General Industry
| Issue | Construction (1926 Subpart AA) | General Industry (1910.146) |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple employers | Explicit roles for host & controlling contractor | Less detailed |
| Changing conditions | Must re-evaluate constantly | Less emphasis |
| Alternate procedures | Allowed with strict conditions | Same, but construction is stricter |
| Information sharing | Controlling contractor MUST coordinate | No equivalent requirement |
Roles and Responsibilities on Multi-Employer Sites (2025)
- Host Employer – Owns the site, shares known hazards
- Controlling Contractor – Coordinates all entry operations, shares info, posts signs
- Entry Employer – Develops permit program, issues permits, trains their people
- Entry Supervisor – Authorizes entry, signs permit, can cancel it
- Attendant – Monitors outside, never enters to rescue
- Authorized Entrant – Wears harness, follows permit
Step-by-Step Atmospheric Testing Order (Required by OSHA)
Test in this exact sequence with a calibrated monitor:
- Oxygen first (19.5% – 23.5%)
- Flammable gases/vapors (must be <10% LEL for entry)
- Toxic gases (CO, H2S, etc. – below OSHA PEL or manufacturer limits)
Test top, middle, and bottom in vertical spaces (stratification). Continuous monitoring required when relying on ventilation.
Ventilation & Alternate Entry Procedures (1926.1203(e))
You may use alternate procedures (no permit, no attendant) ONLY when:
- The ONLY hazard is atmospheric
- Forced-air ventilation alone keeps conditions safe
- You document the determination and monitoring data
Rescue Requirements – What OSHA Actually Prefers
- Non-entry retrieval (tripod + winch + full-body harness) whenever possible
- On-site rescue team OR pre-arranged local service that can arrive in time
- Annual practice rescue drill required
Free 2025 Downloadable Templates (All OSHA-Compliant)
Click to download instantly – no email required:
- 1. Confined Space Entry Permit – Construction 2025
- 2. Pre-Entry Checklist & Hazard Assessment
- 3. Atmospheric Testing Log
- 4. Entrant / Attendant / Supervisor Wallet Cards
- 5. Rescue Pre-Plan Worksheet
- 6. Lockout/Tagout & Isolation Verification Form
Training & Refresher Requirements (2025)
Every person must be trained before initial assignment and whenever:
- Duties change
- Hazards change
- Program deficiencies are observed
Annual refresher is the most common way employers prove ongoing compliance.
Most Common OSHA Citations in 2025 (Avoid These)
- No written program
- Failure to inform controlling contractor of hazards
- No annual rescue drill
- Incorrect atmospheric testing order
- Missing or incomplete permits
FAQ – Quick Answers
Q: Can we reclassify a PRCS to non-permit in construction?
Yes – only when ALL hazards are physically eliminated (not just controlled). Document it.
Q: Do we need an attendant with alternate procedures?
No – alternate procedures eliminate the need for permits and attendants.
Q: Is 10% LEL the hard limit?
Yes – OSHA’s construction rule accepts entry below 10% LEL when ventilation is used.
Q: Who can cancel a permit?
Only the Entry Supervisor.
Q: How long do we keep canceled permits?
At least 1 year (1926.1205(c)).
Ready to make your next confined space entry 100% compliant and audit-proof?
Stay safe out there.
National Safety Compliance Team – December 2025