Confined Space Program
Permit system, atmospheric testing, attendant duties, rescue procedures.
What this document is
This document is a written confined space program that meets federal OSHA requirements for safe entry and work in spaces with limited entry or exit and potential hazardous atmospheres. It gives contractors the procedures they need to identify confined spaces, evaluate hazards, and control risks before workers enter.
The regulation that requires it
29 CFR 1910.146 and 29 CFR 1926.1204 require employers to develop and implement a written permit-required confined space program. The standard states that the employer shall develop and implement the practices and procedures necessary for safe permit space entry operations. It mandates atmospheric testing, permit issuance, attendant duties, and rescue procedures before any employee enters a permit-required confined space. In California, contractors must also follow the parallel requirements in Title 8 CCR Section 5157 and 5158.
Who needs it
General contractors, subcontractors, and any employer whose workers enter tanks, manholes, vaults, pits, or other confined spaces need this program. It applies to trades including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, welding, and demolition. California contractors face enforcement under both federal OSHA and Cal/OSHA rules depending on the work site and contract type.
What happens without it
OSHA and Cal/OSHA cite employers for serious violations when a required confined space program is missing or incomplete. Current penalty ranges reach up to $16,131 per serious violation and $161,323 per willful or repeat violation. Inspections frequently occur after near-misses or fatalities in confined spaces, and multi-employer worksites can result in citations to both the controlling contractor and entry employers.
What's included in the generated document
- Scope and definitions of permit-required confined spaces
- Hazard evaluation and atmospheric testing procedures
- Permit system and entry authorization process
- Duties of entrants, attendants, and entry supervisors
- Emergency rescue and coordination procedures
How to implement it at your company
- Talk to Guy first. Describe your operation, trade, and location — Guy draws from 300,000+ verified OSHA and state regulatory citations to build a compliance plan specific to your company. Your answers shape every section of the document you receive. Takes about 10 minutes.
- Review the document and edit any sections to match your specific equipment, worksites, and rescue resources.
- Designate a program administrator and train all supervisors on their responsibilities.
- Provide training to entrants, attendants, and rescue personnel as required by the standard.
- Make the written program available to employees and keep completed permits on file for review.
- Conduct annual program reviews and update the document after any incident or process change.