Confined Space Signs

OSHA 1910.146 mandates that employers post danger signs at the entrances of all Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS). These signs must explicitly warn of the danger and state that entry is restricted to authorized personnel only. Compliance with this requirement is a critical component of your overall safety regulatory program.

A confined space becomes permit-required if it contains a potential hazard, such as a hazardous atmosphere (toxic gas, low oxygen), a material that could engulf an entrant, or an internal shape that could trap someone. These hazards often require additional signage, such as hazardous fumes signs or chemical warning signs at the entry point.

The sign must clearly display the word "danger" and identify the specific space involved (e.g., permit-required confined space). It should also include a direct instruction, such as do not enter or "authorized entrants only." For unique hazards, you can use custom safety signs to include site-specific instructions.

Only highly trained, authorized entrants participating in a formal entry program, including an attendant and entry supervisor, are permitted to enter. To ensure safety for all personnel, including non-English speakers, we highly recommend using bilingual confined space signs to clearly communicate these strict entry restrictions.