1910.157(e)(1): Employer Responsible for Fire Extinguishers
The employer is responsible for the inspection, maintenance and testing of all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace.
Key takeaways
- 1910.157(e)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 117 times in the last 3 years, in 117 inspections, with $178,419 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PR (25), VA (12), NY (12).
- Related part: 1910.157(e) Inspection, maintenance and testing (2,729 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.157(e)(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 be responsible for the inspection, maintenance and testing of all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace. 117 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.157.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.157(e)(1).
At 10:00 p.m. on February 6, 2024, an employee was repairing leaking water on pump equipment, without lockout/tagout. While the engine was on, the employee began to unscrew a high pressure valve nipple. The pressure was not released from the valve, causing the valve to…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 48 |
| 2025 | 32 |
| 2026 | 35 |
Top states: PR (25), VA (12), NY (12), TX (10), MI (10)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DS | SAN JUAN, PR | $25,000 |
| WESTERN POST LOGISTICS LLC | CYPRESS, TX | $22,243 |
| DE | TOA BAJA, PR | $20,000 |
| DRNA | CATANO, PR | $10,000 |
| AEP | PONCE, PR | $9,457 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.157(e)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Inspecting and maintaining fire extinguishers. (1990-05-18)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.157(e) Inspection, maintenance and testing 2,729 citations
- 1910.157(e)(2) 1,418 citations
- 1910.157(e)(3) 1,178 citations
- 1910.157(e)(4) 12 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
Who is responsible for fire extinguisher upkeep?
The employer.
What does the employer have to do?
Inspect, maintain and test all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace.
Does this cover all extinguishers?
It covers all portable fire extinguishers in the workplace.
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.