Entry supervisor responsibilities

An entry supervisor must be familiar with and understand the hazards that may be faced during entry, including the mode of exposure, the signs or symptoms of exposure, and the likely consequences. This requirement is stated in 1926.1210(a).

• Practical steps: review the permit hazard assessment, talk with the attendant and entrants, review recent monitoring results, and confirm any special procedures (ventilation, purging, lockout/tagout).
• See also OSHA guidance that employers must assess workplace hazards and document that assessment when PPE or other controls will be required in order to protect workers: PPE hazard assessment requirements.

The entry supervisor must verify, by checking that the appropriate entries have been made on the permit, that all tests specified by the permit have been conducted and that all procedures and equipment specified by the permit are in place before endorsing the permit and allowing entry to begin. This is required by 1926.1210(b).

• Typical items to check: atmospheric test results, ventilation in operation, lockout/tagout completion, communications, rescue standby, PPE provided and inspected, and required permits signed.
• Cross-reference: review the permit requirements in 1926.1205 for what a permit should specify.

Common tests specified by permits include atmospheric monitoring for oxygen concentration, flammable gases or vapors, and toxic contaminants; verification of ventilation effectiveness; and equipment function checks, and the entry supervisor must verify those tests were performed. Permit content and testing expectations are described in 1926.1205 and the verification duty is stated in 1926.1210(b).

• Practical verification methods: review the recorded instrument readings on the permit, confirm calibration stickers or bump-test records on monitors, and visually confirm ventilation and alarms are operating.
• If respirators are required, consult respirator selection guidance such as OSHA's respirator interpretation for Class I asbestos work for how monitoring drives respirator choice: Respirator selection for asbestos work.

The entry supervisor must terminate the entry and cancel or suspend the permit when conditions arise that require it under 1926.1210(c) and the specific permit suspension/cancellation rules in 1926.1205(e).

• Triggers for termination/suspension include discovery of an unlisted hazard, a change in atmospheric conditions (e.g., oxygen depletion, flammable vapor rise, detection of toxic contaminants), failure of critical equipment, or if rescue services become unavailable.
• Practical steps: order an immediate evacuation, stop work, account for all entrants, secure the space, and complete permit cancellation or suspension entries per 1926.1205(e).

The entry supervisor must verify that rescue services are available, that the means for summoning them are operable, and that the employer will be notified as soon as the services become unavailable, as required by 1926.1210(d).

• Verification steps: confirm written rescue agreements or on-site rescue team availability, test the communication system (radio/phone), confirm rescue equipment is staged and functional, and document expected response times.
• Where first aid/CPR training is relevant, OSHA guidance notes that some standards require first-aid and CPR training and that retraining frequency is generally left to employer judgment; see OSHA's letter on CPR retraining: CPR retraining and OSHA guidance.

The standard requires the entry employer to ensure each entry supervisor is familiar with and understands the hazards and the duties described in the rule, but it does not list a fixed credential; the employer must make sure the person can perform the duties in 1926.1210. In practice this means the employer must provide the training and authority necessary for the supervisor to meet those responsibilities.

• Practical elements of qualification: documented training in permit procedures, hazard recognition, atmospheric testing, rescue coordination, and the ability to stop entry operations.
• For broader employer obligations to assess hazards and provide training as needed, see OSHA's guidance on employer hazard assessments and PPE: PPE hazard assessment requirements.

The entry supervisor must remove unauthorized individuals who enter or attempt to enter the permit space during entry operations, as required by 1926.1210(e).

• Recommended steps: stop work if necessary to protect occupants, direct the unauthorized person out of the space immediately, secure or re-lock the entry, and inform the attendant and employer to prevent recurrence.
• Document the incident on the permit or in the site log and consider disciplinary or access-control measures to prevent repeated unauthorized entries.

When responsibility for a permit space entry operation is transferred, the entry supervisor must determine that entry operations remain consistent with the terms of the entry permit and that acceptable entry conditions are maintained, as required by 1926.1210(f).

• Transfer steps: review the current permit, confirm recent test results and equipment status, brief the incoming supervisor on hazards and ongoing tasks, and record the transfer on the permit or in site records.
• Also: re-verify rescue availability and communications after transfer, since those are part of maintaining acceptable entry conditions (1926.1210(d)).

An entry supervisor must re-check that entry operations remain acceptable at intervals dictated by the hazards and the operations performed within the space, as stated in 1926.1210(f).

• Practical approach: increase the frequency of checks for dynamic or high-risk operations (continuous hot work, changing atmospheres, nearby heavy equipment) and use more infrequent checks for stable, low-risk conditions.
• Document the re-verification schedule and any changes on the permit; if conditions change between checks, terminate the entry per 1926.1210(c).

An entry supervisor can verify rescue services are operable by confirming written agreements or on‑site team readiness, testing communications that summon rescuers, and checking rescue equipment and response-time capability, as required by 1926.1210(d).

• Specific checks: call the off‑site rescue service to confirm availability, perform a communications test (radio or phone), inspect rescue gear for serviceability, and review training/response records.
• If on-site personnel provide rescue, ensure they are trained and drilled; OSHA notes some standards require first aid/CPR training and encourages appropriate retraining intervals: CPR retraining and OSHA guidance.

To endorse the permit means the entry supervisor has checked the permit and signed or otherwise authorized it to indicate that required tests were performed and required procedures and equipment are in place; this endorsement must occur before allowing entry to begin, as required by 1926.1210(b).

• Endorsement actions: review the permit entries (tests, controls, rescue plan), sign the permit or log approval, and communicate approval to the attendant and entrants.
• Keep the endorsed permit with the work site records for the duration required by your employer's procedures and consistent with 1926.1205 expectations.

The entry supervisor should check that the atmospheric testing equipment was properly operated, produced the recorded test entries on the permit, and that the instruments are functional and appropriately calibrated or bump-tested before use, per the verification duty in 1926.1210(b) and permit requirements in 1926.1205.

• Practical checks: confirm the monitor shows calibration or bump‑test stickers, review the recorded readings on the permit, and visually inspect sensors and probes for damage.
• If respirators are required based on monitoring, consult respirator guidance such as OSHA’s respirator interpretation where monitoring determines respirator selection: Respirator selection for asbestos work.

If an atmospheric monitor indicates unsafe levels after entry has begun, the entry supervisor must terminate the entry and cancel or suspend the permit as required by 1926.1210(c) and 1926.1205(e).

• Immediate steps: order an immediate evacuation, account for all entrants at the egress point, secure the space, and follow rescue procedures only if trained rescuers are needed and available.
• Afterward: investigate the cause, correct the condition, re-test the atmosphere, and only re‑authorize entry when acceptable conditions are re-established and recorded on a new or re‑endorsed permit.

An entry supervisor should check permit entries that document atmospheric test results, the identity and availability of rescue services, required procedures (e.g., lockout/tagout, ventilation, isolation), required PPE and equipment checks, communications methods, and the names/signatures of authorized entrants, as implied by the verification duty in 1926.1210(b) and the permit requirements in 1926.1205.

• Tip: use a checklist based on the permit form to make sure entries are complete and legible before endorsement.

The entry supervisor should direct unauthorized individuals to exit immediately, coordinate with the attendant to ensure a safe exit path, and secure the entry so the person does not re-enter; this removal duty is required by 1926.1210(e).

• Safe removal steps: stop hazardous operations if necessary, have an attendant escort the person out, confirm the person did not touch hazardous surfaces or equipment, and re-secure the space (lockout/tagout, barriers, signage).
• Document the event on the permit and follow employer procedures for unauthorized access prevention.

If rescue services become unavailable during an entry operation, the entry supervisor must ensure the employer is notified as required by 1926.1210(d) and must suspend or terminate the entry if no acceptable alternate rescue capability exists, per 1926.1205(e).

• Practical actions: order immediate evacuation if rescue is unavailable, secure the area, and arrange an alternative rescue provider or on‑site trained rescue team before resuming entry.
• Document the unavailability and corrective action on the permit before any re-entry.

An entry supervisor may have others perform testing and equipment checks, but the entry supervisor is responsible for verifying and endorsing that those tests and checks were completed before authorizing entry, as required by 1926.1210(b).

• Practical approach: delegated staff can perform the work, but the supervisor should review the results, witness critical tests when necessary, and sign the permit to assume responsibility.
• Ensure anyone performing tests is trained and competent; remember OSHA guidance that employers must assess hazards and provide necessary training and certification where PPE or controls are required: PPE hazard assessment requirements.

An entry supervisor must ensure that entry operations remain consistent with the permit and that all employers and contractors share information so acceptable entry conditions are maintained, consistent with the verification and transfer duties in 1926.1210(b) and 1926.1210(f).

• Coordination steps: hold pre-entry briefings, share permits and test results, assign a single point of contact for changes, and confirm rescue arrangements and communications for all parties.
• If responsibilities transfer between employers, ensure the incoming supervisor verifies conditions and documents the transfer on the permit.

Acceptable evidence includes documented test results and entries on the permit, visual inspection of equipment, calibration or bump-test stickers on monitoring devices, functional checks of ventilation and communications, and confirmation signatures — all of which the entry supervisor must verify under 1926.1210(b).

• Examples: atmospheric monitor readings written on the permit, inspection tags on harnesses and lifelines, and a recorded communications check.
• Keep records or copies of the endorsed permit as documentation that the verification occurred in accordance with 1926.1205 permit requirements.

An entry supervisor should verify that required PPE is present, in good condition, properly fitted, and being used correctly by entrants; if respirators are required, the supervisor must ensure the correct type is selected based on the hazard and monitoring results, per the supervisor's hazard-familiarity duty in 1926.1210(a) and the verification duty in 1926.1210(b).

• For respirators: selection must match exposure conditions; see OSHA's respirator interpretation addressing how monitoring informs respirator selection in asbestos work for an example of how exposure levels drive respirator choice: Respirator selection for asbestos work.
• Ensure medical clearance, fit testing, and training are in place when required by applicable respiratory protection rules.

The entry supervisor must verify that the procedures and equipment specified on the permit to control hazards from hot work (ventilation, fire watch, atmospheric monitoring) are in place and must re‑evaluate conditions frequently; if conditions become unsafe, the supervisor must suspend or terminate the entry per [1926.1210(b)], [1926.1210(f)], and 1926.1210(c).

• Practical measures: continuous atmospheric monitoring for combustion products, dedicated fire watch outside the space, enhanced ventilation, and strict control of ignition sources.
• If hot work introduces changing hazards, increase the frequency of re-verification described in 1926.1210(f).

The entry supervisor should ensure the permit (with endorsement and any required entries) is retained and available per the employer's procedures and the permit requirements in 1926.1205, and should document tests, rescues availability checks, transfers of responsibility, and any suspensions or cancellations per 1926.1210(b)–(f).

• Useful records: completed permits, atmospheric test logs, calibration/bump-test records, rescue agreements, training and qualification records for supervisors and rescuers, and incident reports for any unauthorized entry or termination.