1910.169(b): Air Receiver Installation and Equipment
Employers must install compressed air receivers so drains, handholes and manholes are easy to reach, and never bury them or put them in an inaccessible place. Each receiver needs a drain valve at its lowest point that is opened often enough to keep liquid from building up, a readily visible pressure gage, and spring-loaded safety valves that keep pressure from going more than 10 percent over the maximum allowable working pressure.
Key takeaways
- 1910.169(b) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $16,898 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (4), CT (2), MI (2).
- Related part: 1910.169(b)(3) Gages and valves (12 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.169(b) ("Installation and equipment requirements") is one requirement inside 1910.169 Air receivers, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart M). It includes 7 sub-paragraphs. 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
(b) Installation and equipment requirements — 12 citations
(1) Installation. Air receivers shall be so installed that all drains, handholes, and manholes therein are easily accessible. Under no circumstances shall an air receiver be buried underground or located in an inaccessible place.
(2) Drains and traps. A drain pipe and valve shall be installed at the lowest point of every air receiver to provide for the removal of accumulated oil and water. Adequate automatic traps may be installed in addition to drain valves. The drain valve on the air receiver shall be opened and the receiver completely drained frequently and at such intervals as to prevent the accumulation of excessive amounts of liquid in the receiver.
(3) Gages and valves. Open (b)(3) 12 citations
(i) Every air receiver shall be equipped with an indicating pressure gage (so located as to be readily visible) and with one or more spring-loaded safety valves. The total relieving capacity of such safety valves shall be such as to prevent pressure in the receiver from exceeding the maximum allowable working pressure of the receiver by more than 10 percent. 6 citations
(ii) No valve of any type shall be placed between the air receiver and its safety valve or valves.
(iii) Safety appliances, such as safety valves, indicating devices and controlling devices, shall be constructed, located, and installed so that they cannot be readily rendered inoperative by any means, including the elements. 5 citations
(iv) All safety valves shall be tested frequently and at regular intervals to determine whether they are in good operating condition. 1 citations
[39 FR 23502, June 27, 1974, as amended at 49 FR 5322, Feb. 10, 1984; 61 FR 9239, Mar. 7, 1996]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.169.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: NY (4), CT (2), MI (2), NC (1), AZ (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HARBOUR VILLAGE CAMPGROUND AND WATER PARK | STURGEON BAY, WI | $11,585 |
| KONGSBERG ACTUATION SYSTEMS II, LLC | SUFFIELD, CT | $4,113 |
| PAXTON PRODUCTS INC | LANSING, MI | $1,200 |
| HAMMONDSPORT VILL DPW | HAMMONDSPORT, NY | $0 |
| ALLEGANY CO-DPW-TRANSFER STATION -ANGELICA | ANGELICA, NY | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.169(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.169(b)(3) Gages and valves 12 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
Can an air receiver be buried underground?
No. Under no circumstances may an air receiver be buried underground or located in an inaccessible place.
Can a valve be placed between an air receiver and its safety valve?
No. No valve of any type may be placed between the air receiver and its safety valve or valves.
How often must safety valves be tested?
All safety valves must be tested frequently and at regular intervals to make sure they are in good operating condition.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.169 (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.