1910.157(c)(1): Fire extinguishers must be mounted and easy to reach
The employer must provide portable fire extinguishers and mount, locate and identify them so they are readily accessible to employees without exposing employees to possible injury.
Key takeaways
- 1910.157(c)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 2,051 times in the last 3 years, in 2,047 inspections, with $1,310,521 in current penalties.
- 9 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (305), AZ (196), NY (180).
- Related part: 1910.157(c) General requirements (2,283 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.157 Portable fire extinguishers, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart L). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(1) The employer shall provide portable fire extinguishers and shall mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury. 2,051 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.157.
Injuries linked to this rule
9 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.157(c)(1).
An employee was fabricating a part for an agricultural wagon using a drill presswhen it fell onto his head, causing multiple fatal injuries to the employee.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 156 |
| 2024 | 758 |
| 2025 | 684 |
| 2026 | 453 |
Top states: TN (305), AZ (196), NY (180), VA (158), CT (151)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA INC. | HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, OH | $100,450 |
| DS | SAN JUAN, PR | $35,465 |
| ENCANTO RESTAURANTS, INC. | COROZAL, PR | $25,000 |
| CERTAINTEED LLC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $16,131 |
| DE | BAYAMON, PR | $15,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.157(c)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.157(c)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.157(c) General requirements 2,283 citations
- 1910.157(c)(4) 232 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Can a fire extinguisher sit on the floor?
The rule requires extinguishers to be mounted, located and identified so they are readily accessible without risk of injury.
Who must provide fire extinguishers?
The employer, where portable fire extinguishers are required by this section.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.157 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.