Ontario Confined Space Entry Permit Requirements
Under Ontario Regulation 632/05 (Confined Spaces), made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers must ensure that a separate entry permit is issued every time work is performed in a confined space. This requirement applies to all Ontario workplaces including manufacturing, construction, municipal utilities, food processing, and oil and gas operations.
What Must Be on an Ontario Confined Space Entry Permit
Section 10(2) of O. Reg. 632/05 sets out nine mandatory elements that every Ontario confined space entry permit must include:
- The location of the confined space
- A description of the work to be performed
- A description of hazards and corresponding control measures
- The time period for which the permit applies
- The name of the attendant
- A record of each worker's entries and exits
- A list of equipment required for entry and rescue, verified as in good working order
- Results of atmospheric testing under section 18
- If hot work is included, adequate provisions and corresponding control measures
Acceptable Atmospheric Levels in Ontario
Before any worker enters a confined space in Ontario, atmospheric testing must confirm acceptable levels. Under O. Reg. 632/05:
- Oxygen must be at least 19.5% and not more than 23% by volume
- Flammable or explosive gas concentrations must be below 10% of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)
- Atmospheric contaminants must not exceed limits set out in Ontario Regulation 833 or O. Reg. 490/09
The Competent Person Requirement
One of the most commonly overlooked requirements is section 10(3), which states that before each shift, a competent person must verify that the entry permit complies with the relevant confined space plan. A competent person under Ontario law is someone qualified by knowledge, training, and experience to organize the work and its performance, familiar with the OHSA and applicable regulations, and with knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety. This verification must be documented. The entry permit is the logical place to record it.
Why Ontario Does Not Use the Permit-Required vs. Non-Permit Classification
Unlike U.S. OSHA regulations, Ontario does not distinguish between permit-required and non-permit confined spaces. Under O. Reg. 632/05, if a space meets Ontario's definition of a confined space, an entry permit is mandatory for every entry. There is no non-permit pathway in Ontario.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this permit generator free to use?+
Yes. This tool is provided free by CCL Health and Safety to help Ontario employers and safety professionals generate confined space entry permits that include all elements required by O. Reg. 632/05. Your permit is emailed to you as a printable document at no cost.
Can I use this permit for any type of confined space in Ontario?+
This generator covers the most common confined space types found in Ontario workplaces including manholes, storage tanks, process vessels, silos, wet wells, vaults, and excavations. The permit template is designed around the requirements of O. Reg. 632/05. However, the adequacy of any permit depends on your site-specific hazard assessment and confined space plan. A competent person must verify the permit before each entry.
Does this permit replace a confined space program?+
No. An entry permit is one element of a complete confined space program required under O. Reg. 632/05. The regulation also requires a written hazard assessment, a confined space plan, worker training, on-site rescue procedures, and more. CCL Health and Safety can develop a complete confined space program for your workplace.
What is the difference between an attendant and a competent person?+
The attendant is stationed outside the confined space during entry, maintains constant communication with entrants, and is prohibited from entering the space. The competent person is responsible for verifying that the entry permit complies with the relevant plan before each shift. These are distinct roles and one person cannot perform both simultaneously.
How long must I keep confined space entry permits?+
Under s. 21 of O. Reg. 632/05, permits must be retained for at least one year after they are created, or long enough to ensure at least the two most recent records of each kind for each confined space are retained. Construction projects must retain records for at least one year after project completion.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with Ontario confined space regulations?+
Under the OHSA, individuals including workers, supervisors, and directors can face fines of up to $25,000 and 12 months imprisonment per offence. Corporations can face fines of up to $500,000 per offence. Wanton or reckless disregard for worker safety can also trigger criminal prosecution under the Criminal Code of Canada.