1910.165(e): Manual Alarm Pull Stations
Employers must make sure manually operated devices used to set off employee alarms, such as pull stations, are unobstructed, easy to see and readily accessible.
Key takeaways
- 1910.165(e) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 34 times in the last 3 years, in 34 inspections, with $45,526 in current penalties.
- Most citations: CT (11), HI (3), VI (3).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.165(e) ("Manual operation") is one requirement inside 1910.165 Employee alarm systems, 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
(e) Manual operation. The employer shall assure that manually operated actuation devices for use in conjunction with employee alarms are unobstructed, conspicuous and readily accessible. 34 citations
[45 FR 60713, Sept. 12, 1980]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.165.
Export the list: 34 inspections cited 1910.165(e) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: CT (11), HI (3), VI (3), TN (2), IA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DAAS CORPORATION | ST THOMAS, VI | $9,680 |
| WALMART, INC. | CASPER, WY | $9,045 |
| MURDOCH'S RANCH & HOME SUPPLY | CHEYENNE, WY | $8,649 |
| U.S. POSTAL SERVICE - HATO REY POST OFFICE | HATO REY, PR | $5,626 |
| DEMAH INC. | CHARLOTTE AMALIE, VI | $5,106 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.165(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.165(e).
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Frequently asked questions
What does this rule require for manual alarm devices?
They must be unobstructed, conspicuous and readily accessible.
Can I stack materials in front of a pull station?
No. The device must be unobstructed.
Who is responsible?
The employer must assure these conditions.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.165 (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 2026-11-01
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.