1926.300(a): Keep Hand and Power Tools Safe
All hand and power tools and similar equipment must be maintained in a safe condition, whether furnished by the employer or the employee.
Key takeaways
- 1926.300(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 73 times in the last 3 years, in 73 inspections, with $101,428 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (43), VA (7), PR (4).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.300(a) ("Condition of tools") is one requirement inside 1926.300 General requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart I). 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
(a) Condition of tools. All hand and power tools and similar equipment, whether furnished by the employer or the employee, shall be maintained in a safe condition. 73 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.300.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.300(a).
At 11:06 a.m. on December 13, 2024, an employee working as a construction laborer for a roofing contractor was installing shingles on a decorative eye brow roof. The employee was working from a height of 27 feet from a Werner 40-foot aluminum extension ladder. A…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 32 |
| 2026 | 14 |
Top states: MD (43), VA (7), PR (4), HI (3), NY (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALVAREZ GENERAL CONSTRUCTION CORP. | FLUSHING, NY | $15,625 |
| C3 ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALITIES | RIO MEDINA, TX | $6,809 |
| BRIAN CONSTRUCTION, INC. | RICHMOND, RI | $6,452 |
| SAGEWATER LLC | HONOLULU, HI | $6,332 |
| C & W CONTRATISTAS CORP | ASTORIA, NY | $6,250 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.300(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
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Frequently asked questions
Does this cover tools I bring from home?
Yes. It applies whether the tools are furnished by the employer or the employee.
What must be done with tools?
They must be maintained in a safe condition.
Does it cover both hand and power tools?
Yes. It covers all hand and power tools and similar equipment.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.300 (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.