1910.169: Compressed Air Receivers
This rule covers compressed air receivers used for work like cleaning, drilling, hoisting and chipping. New receivers and safety valves must meet the 1968 ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, receivers must be installed with drains, handholes and manholes easy to reach and never buried, and each needs a drain valve at its lowest point that is opened often enough to prevent liquid buildup.
Key takeaways
- 1910.169 is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 13 times in the last 3 years, in 13 inspections, with $18,281 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (4), CT (2), MI (2).
- Most-cited part: 1910.169(b) Installation and equipment requirements (12 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.169, "Air receivers", is an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart M). It has 13 numbered paragraphs. 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
Show the full text of 1910.169 (13 paragraphs)
(a) General requirements — Open (a) 1 citations
(1) Application. This section applies to compressed air receivers, and other equipment used in providing and utilizing compressed air for performing operations such as cleaning, drilling, hoisting, and chipping. On the other hand, however, this section does not deal with the special problems created by using compressed air to convey materials nor the problems created when men work in compressed air as in tunnels and caissons. This section is not intended to apply to compressed air machinery and equipment used on transportation vehicles such as steam railroad cars, electric railway cars, and automotive equipment.
(2) New and existing equipment. Open (a)(2) 1 citations
(i) All new air receivers installed after the effective date of these regulations shall be constructed in accordance with the 1968 edition of the A.S.M.E. Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6. Open (a)(2)(i) 1 citations
(ii) All safety valves used shall be constructed, installed, and maintained in accordance with the A.S.M.E. Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII Edition 1968.
(b) Installation and equipment requirements — Open (b) 12 citations
(1) Installation. Air receivers shall be so installed that all drains, handholes, and manholes therein are easily accessible. Under no circumstances shall an air receiver be buried underground or located in an inaccessible place.
(2) Drains and traps. A drain pipe and valve shall be installed at the lowest point of every air receiver to provide for the removal of accumulated oil and water. Adequate automatic traps may be installed in addition to drain valves. The drain valve on the air receiver shall be opened and the receiver completely drained frequently and at such intervals as to prevent the accumulation of excessive amounts of liquid in the receiver.
(3) Gages and valves. Open (b)(3) 12 citations
(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. 6 citations
(ii) No valve of any type shall be placed between the air receiver and its safety valve or valves.
(iii) Safety appliances, such as safety valves, indicating devices and controlling devices, shall be constructed, located, and installed so that they cannot be readily rendered inoperative by any means, including the elements. 5 citations
(iv) All safety valves shall be tested frequently and at regular intervals to determine whether they are in good operating condition. 1 citations
[39 FR 23502, June 27, 1974, as amended at 49 FR 5322, Feb. 10, 1984; 61 FR 9239, Mar. 7, 1996]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: NY (4), CT (2), MI (2), NC (1), AZ (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HARBOUR VILLAGE CAMPGROUND AND WATER PARK | STURGEON BAY, WI | $11,585 |
| KONGSBERG ACTUATION SYSTEMS II, LLC | SUFFIELD, CT | $4,113 |
| TM INDUSTRIES, LLC | ARTESIAN, SD | $1,383 |
| PAXTON PRODUCTS INC | LANSING, MI | $1,200 |
| HAMMONDSPORT VILL DPW | HAMMONDSPORT, NY | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.169, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Requirements for air receivers installed after August 27, 1971 and periodic retesting. (2008-05-08)
- Pressure vessels used at oil and gas extraction/production facilities and applicability of 29 CFR 1910.106 (2006-07-17)
- Request for Compliance Assistance on High Profile Case. (1997-04-23)
- Rules requiring safety check valves on compressed air equipment. (1995-04-07)
- ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code - Stop valves upstream of relief valves. (1981-04-06)
- Requirements for off highway vehicles being exported from the UK to the USA. (1980-01-24)
Most-cited parts of this rule
- 1910.169(b) Installation and equipment requirements 12 citations
- 1910.169(b)(3) Gages and valves 12 citations
- 1910.169(a) General requirements 1 citations
- 1910.169(a)(2) New and existing equipment 1 citations
- 1910.169(a)(2)(i) 1 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
Can an air receiver be buried?
No. Under no circumstances shall an air receiver be buried underground or located in an inaccessible place.
Where must the drain be?
A drain pipe and valve must be at the lowest point of every air receiver.
What code applies to new air receivers?
The 1968 edition of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.169 (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 2026-10-19
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.