1910.165(d)(1): Keeping Employee Alarm Systems Working
Employers must make sure all employee alarm systems are kept in operating condition, except while they are being repaired or maintained.
Key takeaways
- 1910.165(d)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 28 times in the last 3 years, in 28 inspections, with $177,005 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: CA (11), CO (3), NY (2).
- Related part: 1910.165(d) Maintenance and testing (35 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.165(d)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.165 Employee alarm systems, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart L). 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
(1) The employer shall assure that all employee alarm systems are maintained in operating condition except when undergoing repairs or maintenance. 28 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.165.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.165(d)(1).
At 2:40 p.m. on May 17, 2024, Employee #1 was working in the Mud Recovery Tank (MRT) area, monitoring the shakers and the volumes of other tanks as materials were transferred from the truck off-load area. A co-worker was nearby in the washout bay, unhooking…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: CA (11), CO (3), NY (2), VA (2), IA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| KRAFT HEINZ | MUSCATINE, IA | $110,000 |
| ROCKY MOUNTAIN METAL CONTAINER | GOLDEN, CO | $30,000 |
| VALENCE SURFACE TECHNOLOGIES. LLC | GROVE, OK | $7,000 |
| THATCHER COMPANY, INC. | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $7,000 |
| PMX INDUSTRIES, INC. | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $6,500 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.165(d)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.165(d)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.165(d) Maintenance and testing 35 citations
- 1910.165(d)(3) 3 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
Must employee alarms always work?
They must be maintained in operating condition except when undergoing repairs or maintenance.
Who is responsible?
The employer must assure the alarm systems are maintained.
Which alarms are covered?
All employee alarm systems.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.165 (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 2026-10-22
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.