1910.144(a)(3): Yellow Means Caution
Yellow must be the basic color for caution and for marking physical hazards such as striking against, stumbling, falling, tripping and "caught in between."
Key takeaways
- 1910.144(a)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 53 times in the last 3 years, in 53 inspections, with $74,750 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NY (29), NJ (19), CT (2).
- Related part: 1910.144(a) Color identification (59 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.144(a)(3) ("Yellow") is one requirement inside 1910.144 Safety color code for marking physical hazards, 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
(3) Yellow. Yellow shall be the basic color for designating caution and for marking physical hazards such as: Striking against, stumbling, falling, tripping, and “caught in between.” 53 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.144.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.144(a)(3).
On April 10, 2024, an employee working as a maintenance worker for a tire manufacturer was troubleshooting the pallet loading failures of the WIGWAG-1 line. Surveillance video showed the employee entering the machine through the discharge conveyor without performing lockout/tagout. Entering the machine required passing…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 23 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: NY (29), NJ (19), CT (2), GA (1), NC (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| LENAPE REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT | MEDFORD, NJ | $7,000 |
| MORRIS HILLS REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | ROCKAWAY BOROUGH, NJ | $6,000 |
| TOWNSHIP OF WOODBRIDGE BOARD OF EDUCATION - ADMINISTRATION BUILDING | WOODBRIDGE, NJ | $5,000 |
| COUNTY OF SALEM PUBLIC WORKS / ROAD DEPARTMENT | WOODSTOWN, NJ | $5,000 |
| NJ TRANSIT MORRIS GARAGE | DOVER, NJ | $4,900 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.144(a)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Questions and answers about color coding machine and machine guards according to ANSI Z535.1-1990 (2003-08-19)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.144(a) Color identification 59 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
What does yellow mean in workplace safety marking?
Caution, and physical hazards such as striking against, stumbling, falling, tripping and caught in between.
Is yellow required for these markings?
Yellow shall be the basic color for designating caution and marking these physical hazards.
Which rule covers this?
1910.144(a)(3).
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.144 (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.