1910.303(f)(1): Marking Disconnects for Motors and Appliances
Employers must make sure each required disconnecting means for motors and appliances is legibly marked to show its purpose, unless its location and arrangement make the purpose evident.
Key takeaways
- 1910.303(f)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart S).
- OSHA cited it 33 times in the last 3 years, in 33 inspections, with $60,975 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (5), IL (4), MI (3).
- Related part: 1910.303(f) Disconnecting means and circuits (760 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.303(f)(1) ("Motors and appliances") is one requirement inside 1910.303 General, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart S). 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) Motors and appliances. Each disconnecting means required by this subpart for motors and appliances shall be legibly marked to indicate its purpose, unless located and arranged so the purpose is evident. 33 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.303.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: VA (5), IL (4), MI (3), NY (3), TX (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GABRIEL CARE, INC. | FALL RIVER, MA | $16,550 |
| PERDUE FOODS LLC | BRIDGEWATER, VA | $13,075 |
| GOLDEN GATE PETROLEUM OF COLORADO, LLC | FRUITA, CO | $6,620 |
| ACCURIDE CORPORATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,960 |
| DENNIS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT - TRANSPORTATION GARAGE | DENNISVILLE, NJ | $3,600 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.303(f)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.303(f)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.303(f) Disconnecting means and circuits 760 citations
- 1910.303(f)(2) Services, feeders, and branch circuits 712 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 disconnects be labeled?
Yes. Each required disconnecting means for motors and appliances must be legibly marked to indicate its purpose.
Is there an exception?
Yes, if it is located and arranged so the purpose is evident.
Why does labeling matter?
It helps workers shut off the right equipment.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.303 (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.