1910.141(d)(2)(ii): Hot and Cold Running Water at Lavatories
Employers must provide each lavatory with hot and cold running water, or tepid running water.
Key takeaways
- 1910.141(d)(2)(ii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 71 times in the last 3 years, in 71 inspections, with $67,964 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (12), OR (10), MI (5).
- Related part: 1910.141(d) Washing facilities (158 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.141(d)(2)(ii) is one requirement inside 1910.141 Sanitation, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). 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
(ii) Each lavatory shall be provided with hot and cold running water, or tepid running water. 71 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.141.
Export the list: 71 inspections cited 1910.141(d)(2)(ii) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2025 | 24 |
| 2026 | 18 |
Top states: TN (12), OR (10), MI (5), NY (5), PA (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE | NEW CASTLE, DE | $38,022 |
| SMYRNA READY MIX CONCRETE, LLC | PUNTA GORDA, FL | $8,036 |
| ZIPS CAR WASH | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $4,687 |
| 68671 - PRS AUTO LLC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $4,000 |
| SIMONIZ USA, INC. | GREENVILLE, OH | $3,972 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.141(d)(2)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.141(d)(2)(ii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.141(d) Washing facilities 158 citations
- 1910.141(d)(2) Lavatories 130 citations
- 1910.141(d)(1) General 26 citations
- 1910.141(d)(2)(iii) 23 citations
- 1910.141(d)(2)(iv) 17 citations
- 1910.141(d)(2)(i) 17 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What water must a lavatory have?
Hot and cold running water, or tepid running water.
Does every lavatory need it?
Yes. Each lavatory must be provided with it.
Is cold water alone enough?
No. The rule requires hot and cold running water, or tepid running water.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.141 (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 2026-11-06
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.