1926.1203 Confined Spaces in Construction: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Before construction work begins, a competent person must evaluate the site to identify confined spaces and permit-required confined spaces. Employers must warn exposed workers with danger signs or equivalent means and prevent unauthorized entry. If workers will enter permit spaces, the employer must have a written permit space program, and controlling and host employers must coordinate entry operations on multi-employer sites.
What the standard requires
- Have a competent person identify confined and permit-required spaces
- Post danger signs or otherwise inform workers of permit spaces
- Prevent unauthorized entry into permit spaces
- Develop and implement a written permit space program for entries
- Coordinate entry operations among employers on shared sites
Hazards it addresses
- Asphyxiation from oxygen-deficient atmospheres
- Toxic gas exposure
- Engulfment and entrapment
Cited in sewer, manhole, vault, tank, and crawl space work in construction.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.1203(a) | A competent person must identify all confined spaces and permit spaces employees may work in. | 11 | 11 | $6,195 |
| 1926.1203(b)(1) | Employees must be informed of the existence, location, and danger of permit spaces, such as by posting signs. | 1 | 1 | $1,000 |
| 1926.1203(d) | Employers whose employees will enter permit spaces must have a written permit space program. | 1 | 1 | $14,895 |
| 1926.1203(e)(2)(vi) | 1 | 1 | $11,916 | |
| 1926.1203(g) | 1 | 1 | $0 |
Penalties
Across 15 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $111,387 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $90,460, 19% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 73%; Other-than-serious 27%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 3 | 3 | $4,500 | $2,100 |
| Rhode Island | 2 | 2 | $3,803 | $3,803 |
| Alabama | 1 | 1 | $16,550 | $16,550 |
| Florida | 1 | 2 | $23,832 | $23,832 |
| Hawaii | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Iowa | 1 | 2 | $29,790 | $14,895 |
| New Jersey | 1 | 1 | $14,895 | $14,895 |
| Nevada | 1 | 1 | $3,547 | $1,774 |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 1 | $8,275 | $8,275 |
| Virginia | 1 | 1 | $6,195 | $4,336 |
By industry
- Construction: 12 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 1 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCC Poured Walls & General Contracting, Inc. | Falmouth, MI | Aug 6, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| SBF Construction, Inc. | New Brunswick, NJ | Jul 21, 2026 | 1 | $14,895 | $14,895 | ContestedAbatement due Aug 14, 2026Contested Aug 16, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Puerto Rico Drilling & Supplys Inc. | Carolina, PR | Jul 6, 2026 | 1 | $8,275 | $8,275 | OpenAbatement due Jul 27, 2026Contest deadline ~Jul 27, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| JWM Enterprises LLC | Duffield, VA | May 1, 2026 | 1 | $6,195 | $4,336 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 28, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Beachside Roofing LLC | Honolulu, HI | Apr 23, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 13, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Kimmins Contracting Corp. | Tampa, FL | Mar 13, 2026 | 2 | $23,832 | $23,832 | ContestedAbatement due Apr 8, 2026Contested Apr 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Trademark Builders, LLC | Jamestown, RI | Feb 18, 2026 | 1 | $398 | $398 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 3, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Construction Labor Services, Inc. | Mobile, AL | Jan 29, 2026 | 1 | $16,550 | $16,550 | ContestedAbatement due Feb 27, 2026Contested Feb 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| City of Cedar Rapids | Cedar Rapids, IA | Jan 9, 2026 | 2 | $29,790 | $14,895 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 5, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Gdi Services Inc. | Detroit, MI | Dec 17, 2025 | 1 | $3,500 | $2,100 | Formal settlementContested Feb 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Terra Titan Construction | Reno, NV | Dec 12, 2025 | 1 | $3,547 | $1,774 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| Anlaan Corporation | Manistee, MI | Nov 19, 2025 | 1 | $1,000 | $0 | Formal settlementContested Jan 5, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Beausoleil & Sons Construction Inc. | Warwick, RI | Mar 25, 2026 | 1 | $3,405 | $3,405 | Final orderAbatement due Jul 1, 2025Contested Jun 10, 2025 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.1207 Confined Space Training (7 shared inspections)
- 1910.1200 Hazard Communication (2 shared inspections)
- 1926.100 Hard Hats (2 shared inspections)
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (2 shared inspections)
- 1926.55 Construction Air Contaminants (2 shared inspections)
- 1903.19 Abatement Verification (1 shared inspections)
- 1926.651 Excavation Safety (1 shared inspections)
- 1926.1051 Stairway and Ladder Access (1 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.1203 require?
Before construction work begins, a competent person must evaluate the site to identify confined spaces and permit-required confined spaces. Employers must warn exposed workers with danger signs or equivalent means and prevent unauthorized entry. If workers will enter permit spaces, the employer must have a written permit space program, and controlling and host employers must coordinate entry operations on multi-employer sites.
How often was 1926.1203 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.1203 (Confined Spaces in Construction) appeared in 13 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 15 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.1203 is cited most?
1926.1203(a) was the most-cited paragraph, with 11 items: A competent person must identify all confined spaces and permit spaces employees may work in.
Which states cite 1926.1203 most often?
The most citations under 1926.1203 in this period were issued in Michigan, Rhode Island, Alabama.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.1203 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $6,195; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $4,336. Totals: $111,387 proposed, $90,460 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.1203 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 47% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.