1910.157(c)(4): Keep Fire Extinguishers Charged and in Place
Employers must keep portable fire extinguishers fully charged and operable, and keep them in their designated places at all times except during use.
Key takeaways
- 1910.157(c)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 232 times in the last 3 years, in 232 inspections, with $192,803 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (23), TX (17), NV (15).
- 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)(4) 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
(4) The employer shall assure that portable fire extinguishers are maintained in a fully charged and operable condition and kept in their designated places at all times except during use. 232 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.157.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.157(c)(4).
At approximately 12:42 p.m. on April 25, 2024, an employee was attempting to attach a loaded, but unsecured, flatbed trailer to a semi-truck. During the connection process, the kingpin rode over the top of the 5th wheel plate and slammed down onto it. For reasons…
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 | 22 |
| 2024 | 88 |
| 2025 | 75 |
| 2026 | 47 |
Top states: VA (23), TX (17), NV (15), PR (13), NC (13)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| KYOEI STEEL, LTD | VINTON, TX | $30,000 |
| BAYSIDE-RICHARDSON CO-OP GIN COMPANY, INC. | WOODSBORO, TX | $11,585 |
| MDLG, INC. | PHENIX CITY, AL | $10,140 |
| TIDEWATER AREA CENTRAL HOSPITAL LAUNDRY INC. | PORTSMOUTH, VA | $8,390 |
| MCBRIDE OPERATING, LLC | WASKOM, TX | $6,453 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.157(c)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.157(c)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.157(c) General requirements 2,283 citations
- 1910.157(c)(1) 2,051 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
What condition must fire extinguishers be in?
Fully charged and operable.
Can an extinguisher be moved from its spot?
It must be kept in its designated place at all times except during use.
Who is responsible for this?
The employer must assure extinguishers are maintained and kept in place.
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.