1926.306(b)(3)(i): Air Receiver Gauges and Safety Valves
Every air receiver must have a readily visible pressure gauge and one or more spring-loaded safety valves. The valves' total relieving capacity must keep receiver pressure from exceeding the maximum allowable working pressure by more than 10 percent.
Key takeaways
- 1926.306(b)(3)(i) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 42 times in the last 3 years, in 42 inspections, with $21,268 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NC (34), MD (3), GA (2).
- Related part: 1926.306(b) Installation and equipment requirements (53 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.306(b)(3)(i) is one requirement inside 1926.306 Air receivers, 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
(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. 42 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.306.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.306(b)(3)(i).
At 2:49 p.m. on February 22, 2025, Employee #1 was standing on a 5-foot ladder inspecting a sandblasting tank while refilling it and checking hose connections.An unidentified substance inside the tank exploded, causing Employee #1 to be thrown from the ladder. Employee #1 was fatally…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: NC (34), MD (3), GA (2), AZ (1), LA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SEMPER FI INDUSTRIAL COATINGS | SHREVEPORT, LA | $11,585 |
| 159247 - GSO CONTRACTING, INC. | SUMMERFIELD, NC | $3,000 |
| PIG ROOFING, LLC. | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $2,200 |
| DIEGO BRICENO | SAVANNAH, GA | $2,074 |
| FERNANDO HERNANDEZ LOPEZ | SAVANNAH, GA | $1,659 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.306(b)(3)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.306(b)(3)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.306(b) Installation and equipment requirements 53 citations
- 1926.306(b)(3) Gages and valves 53 citations
- 1926.306(b)(3)(iii) 11 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 must every air receiver have?
An indicating pressure gauge located so it is readily visible, and one or more spring-loaded safety valves.
How much relief capacity is required?
Enough to prevent pressure from exceeding the maximum allowable working pressure by more than 10 percent.
Where must the gauge be?
Located so it is readily visible.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.306 (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.