1910.169(b)(3): Air Receiver Gages and Safety Valves
Employers must equip every air receiver with a readily visible pressure gage and one or more spring-loaded safety valves sized to keep pressure from exceeding the maximum allowable working pressure by more than 10 percent. No valve may sit between the receiver and its safety valves, safety devices must be installed so they cannot be easily made inoperative, and safety valves must be tested frequently and at regular intervals.
Key takeaways
- 1910.169(b)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart M).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $16,898 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (4), CT (2), MI (2).
- Related 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(b)(3) ("Gages and valves") is one requirement inside 1910.169 Air receivers, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart M). It includes 4 sub-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
(3) Gages and valves. 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. Read all of 1910.169.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 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 |
| PAXTON PRODUCTS INC | LANSING, MI | $1,200 |
| HAMMONDSPORT VILL DPW | HAMMONDSPORT, NY | $0 |
| ALLEGANY CO-DPW-TRANSFER STATION -ANGELICA | ANGELICA, NY | $0 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.169(b)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.169(b) Installation and equipment requirements 12 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must every air receiver have?
An indicating pressure gage located where it is readily visible and one or more spring-loaded safety valves.
How much over working pressure may the receiver go?
The safety valves must prevent pressure from exceeding the maximum allowable working pressure by more than 10 percent.
Can safety valves be blocked off with another valve?
No. No valve of any type may be placed between the air receiver and its safety valve or valves.
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 2026-10-20
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.