Regulatory Comparison
Construction vs. General Industry
Two OSHA standards cover confined spaces. Which one applies depends on the type of work, not the industry your company is generally in.
29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA
Applies to confined space work on construction sites. Adopted after 1910.146 to address challenges unique to construction: multiple employers on one site, constantly changing hazards, and shifting work areas.
- Continuous atmospheric monitoring requirements
- Information exchange rules between employers on multi-employer sites
- Explicit Competent Person program-oversight role
29 CFR 1910.146
Applies to permit-required confined space work outside of construction: manufacturing, utilities, water/wastewater, warehousing, and similar general industry settings.
- Same core roles: entrant, attendant, entry supervisor
- Written permit space program requirement
- No construction-specific multi-employer provisions
The deciding question: is this a construction site or construction activity (as OSHA defines it), or a general industry facility? Some companies operate under both standards depending on the job. Our Awareness, Entry, and Supervisor courses reference 1926 Subpart AA as the primary standard, with 1910.146 concepts covered where they overlap. See our full standards guide for details, and confirm with qualified counsel or OSHA if you're unsure which applies to your work.
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