Free Learning Center
Free Confined Space Training
Learn OSHA's confined space rules the way entry teams use them: identifying permit spaces, testing the air, ventilating, isolating hazards, filling out the permit and planning rescue. Every lesson ends with a short quiz. No sign-up, and nothing is saved.
- 12 free lessons
- 96 quiz questions
- About 3 hours total
- No sign-up · nothing saved
Mini-trainings
12 Free Confined Space Lessons
Start with lesson 1 or jump to your role. Each lesson takes 10 to 20 minutes and ends with a graded quiz.
What Is a Confined Space? OSHA's Three-Part Definition with Examples
OSHA's three-part definition, real-world examples, what counts as entry, and why confined spaces kill.
Lesson 2 · 15 minPermit-Required vs. Non-Permit Confined Spaces: How to Classify a Space
The four permit-space hazards, non-permit spaces, alternate procedures, reclassification and warning signs.
Lesson 3 · 15 minConfined Space Hazards: Air, Engulfment, Configuration and Physical Hazards
Oxygen, flammables, toxics, dust, engulfment, configuration and physical hazards, with OSHA's limits.
Lesson 4 · 16 minAtmospheric Testing for Confined Spaces: Order, Technique and Continuous Monitoring
Oxygen, then flammables, then toxics; testing in layers; bump tests, calibration and continuous monitoring.
Lesson 5 · 14 minConfined Space Ventilation: Purging, Continuous Forced Air and Blower Setup
Purging vs. continuous ventilation, supply vs. exhaust, blower and duct setup, air changes and purge time.
Lesson 6 · 14 minIsolating a Confined Space: Lockout/Tagout, Blanking, Double Block and Bleed
Lockout/tagout, blanking and blinding, double block and bleed, line breaking and verifying isolation.
Lesson 7 · 15 minThe Confined Space Entry Permit: What It Must Contain and Who Signs It
The 15 required permit elements, who signs, posting, duration, cancellation and keeping canceled permits.
Lesson 8 · 12 minAuthorized Entrant Duties: What Every Confined Space Entrant Must Know and Do
Know the hazards, use the equipment, communicate, alert the attendant, and the four reasons to exit.
Lesson 9 · 13 minConfined Space Attendant Duties: The Person Outside the Opening
Count the entrants, monitor inside and out, order evacuation, summon rescue, and stay outside.
Lesson 10 · 13 minEntry Supervisor Duties: Authorizing, Overseeing and Ending an Entry
Verify before you sign, confirm rescue, remove unauthorized people, check conditions and cancel the permit.
Lesson 11 · 15 minConfined Space Rescue: Non-Entry Retrieval, Rescue Services and Practice
Non-entry vs. entry rescue, retrieval systems and the 5-foot rule, evaluating rescue teams, practice and CPR.
Lesson 12 · 14 minConfined Spaces in Construction: How Subpart AA Differs from 1910.146
Competent person, controlling and entry employers, continuous monitoring, early warning and permit suspension.
Practice test
Confined Space Practice Test
Random 20-question tests from a 96-question bank, scored instantly.
Free guides
In-Depth Confined Space Guides
Signs, equipment, real-world examples, written programs, gas monitor bump testing and hydrogen sulfide.
Confined Space Signs: OSHA Requirements, Exact Wording and Where to Post Them
The required DANGER wording, sign format and colors, placement, languages and what signs can't do alone.
Guide · 9 min readConfined Space Entry Equipment: What OSHA Requires and What Crews Actually Use
OSHA's equipment list translated into real gear: monitors, blowers, radios, tripods, winches, harnesses.
Guide · 8 min readConfined Space Examples: What Counts, by Industry
Dozens of real confined spaces by industry, plus quick answers for crawl spaces, attics, pits and open-top tanks.
Guide · 9 min readHow to Write a Written Permit-Required Confined Space Program
The 14 required elements of 1910.146(d) turned into a practical section-by-section outline.
Guide · 7 min readBump Test vs. Calibration: Keeping Your Confined Space Gas Monitor Honest
What bump tests and calibration each do, OSHA's daily recommendation, and what makes sensors read wrong.
Guide · 8 min readHydrogen Sulfide (H2S) in Confined Spaces: Exposure Limits, Effects and Controls
OSHA, NIOSH and ACGIH limits, effects by concentration, why smell fails, and testing and controls.
Guide · 8 min readConfined Space Retrieval Systems: Tripods, Davit Arms, Winches and SRLs
OSHA's retrieval rule, tripods vs. davits, winches vs. 3-way SRLs, harness attachment and setup.
Guide · 7 min readConfined Space Fans and Blowers: Choosing, Sizing and Setting Up Ventilation
Axial vs. centrifugal vs. venturi, CFM and duct losses, explosion-proof options, and setup.
Guide · 7 min readOxygen-Deficient Atmospheres: Causes, Effects and the 19.5% Limit
The 19.5% and 23.5% limits, how oxygen is displaced or consumed, effects by level, testing and controls.
Guide · 6 min readCarbon Monoxide Exposure Limits (PPM) and Confined Space Safety
OSHA, NIOSH and ACGIH CO limits in ppm, IDLH, symptoms, sources near confined spaces, and controls.
Guide · 8 min readConfined Space Entry Procedure: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Plan, isolate, ventilate, test, permit, enter, monitor, respond, and close out, in order.
Guide · 6 min readLower Explosive Limit (LEL): What It Is and What 10% LEL Means
LEL and UEL explained, reading %LEL, OSHA's 10% limit, values for common gases, and sensor limits.
Calculators, checklists & reference
Field Tools You Can Use Today
Free calculators and printable checklists that run in your browser. Nothing you enter is stored or sent.
Is It a Permit-Required Confined Space? Interactive Decision Tool
Answer yes/no questions to classify a space: not confined, non-permit, permit-required, alternate procedures or reclassification.
CalculatorConfined Space Gas Reading Checker: Are Your 4-Gas Readings Acceptable?
Compare O2, %LEL, H2S and CO readings with OSHA limits, alarm setpoints and IDLH values.
CalculatorConfined Space Ventilation Calculator: How Long to Purge Before Entry
Estimate purge time and air changes per hour from space size, blower CFM and duct losses.
Printable checklistPrintable Confined Space Entry Permit Template
Printable permit with all 15 OSHA-required elements, gas test log and entry supervisor sign-off.
Printable checklistConfined Space Pre-Entry Checklist: Before Anyone Breaks the Plane
The checks to finish at the space before the permit is signed: people, isolation, air, equipment, rescue.
Printable checklistConfined Space Hazard Evaluation and Classification Checklist
One sheet per space: confined space test, permit-space hazards, classification decision and signage.
ReferenceConfined Space Glossary
55 plain-English definitions with links to the lessons that use them.
Free lessons vs. certificate courses
When Free Training Is Enough, and When It Isn't
| Free lessons (this page) | Certificate courses | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free, no account | From $49.99 per seat |
| Best for | Learning the basics, refreshers, toolbox talks, checking your knowledge | Documented training for employer records |
| Quizzes | Yes, graded instantly in your browser | Yes, plus a final assessment |
| Certificate of completion | No | Yes, issued on completion |
| Progress saved | No, nothing is stored | Yes, in your training account |
| Languages | English | English & Spanish |
FAQ
Free Training FAQ
No. OSHA does not approve or certify confined space training courses or providers. These free lessons are general education based on 29 CFR 1910.146 and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA. Employers must still provide site-specific training, a written permit space program and proof of proficiency.
No. The free lessons and practice test do not issue a certificate and do not record your results. If you need documented training, our paid Awareness, Entry, Supervisor and Competent Person courses issue a certificate of completion.
No. Quizzes are graded in your browser. Nothing you answer is stored or sent, and refreshing the page clears it.
Authorized entrants, attendants, entry supervisors, maintenance, utility and construction crews, and safety staff who want a clear refresher on permit-required confined spaces. Supervisors can use the lessons as toolbox talks.
Each lesson takes 10 to 20 minutes, and the full set of 12 takes about three hours. You can take the lessons in any order.
Yes. The lessons are based on the general industry standard, 29 CFR 1910.146, and lesson 12 explains how the construction standard, 29 CFR 1926 Subpart AA, differs.
Need Documented Confined Space Training?
Awareness, Entry, Supervisor and Competent Person courses aligned with OSHA. Certificate of completion. English & Spanish.