1910.145(f)(3): When to Use Accident Prevention Tags
Tags must be used to warn employees of hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions, equipment or operations that are out of the ordinary, unexpected or not readily apparent. Tags stay in place until the hazard is eliminated or the operation is completed. They are not needed where signs, guarding or other positive protection is used.
Key takeaways
- 1910.145(f)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 45 times in the last 3 years, in 45 inspections, with $86,488 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PA (21), IA (6), TX (3).
- Related part: 1910.145(f) Accident prevention tags (69 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.145(f)(3) ("Use") is one requirement inside 1910.145 Specifications for accident prevention signs and tags, 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) Use. Tags shall be used as a means to prevent accidental injury or illness to employees who are exposed to hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions, equipment or operations which are out of the ordinary, unexpected or not readily apparent. Tags shall be used until such time as the identified hazard is eliminated or the hazardous operation is completed. Tags need not be used where signs, guarding or other positive means of protection are being used. 45 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.145.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.145(f)(3).
At 11:59 a.m. on November 27, 2024, an employee working as a laborer for a used automobile dealership was hanging an advertisement banner on a tire storage rack. Coworker #1 (owner) assigned the Coworker #2 the task of hanging the banner without additional instructions. Coworker…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: PA (21), IA (6), TX (3), HI (3), MA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| QUALAWASH HOLDINGS, LLC | PASADENA, TX | $11,585 |
| SAGE V FOODS, LLC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $11,409 |
| ELITE TURNAROUND SPECIALISTS | CLINTON, IA | $10,000 |
| THE BOEING COMPANY | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $10,000 |
| TOYO TIRES HOLDINGS | WHITE, GA | $5,674 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.145(f)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.145(f)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.145(f) Accident prevention tags 69 citations
- 1910.145(f)(5) Danger tags 12 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
When must accident prevention tags be used?
For hazardous or potentially hazardous conditions, equipment or operations that are out of the ordinary, unexpected or not readily apparent.
How long must a tag stay on?
Until the identified hazard is eliminated or the hazardous operation is completed.
Are tags always required?
No. Tags need not be used where signs, guarding or other positive means of protection are used.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.145 (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 2026-10-23
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.