1926.152(g): Fuel Service and Refueling Areas
Employers must store flammable liquids at construction service and refueling areas in approved closed containers, underground tanks or aboveground portable tanks, use approved hoses and automatic-closing nozzles without latch-open devices, and provide a remote emergency power shutoff for dispensers. Smoking and open flames are banned, no-smoking signs must be posted, engines must be shut off while fueling, and heating equipment and fire extinguishers must meet set heights and ratings.
Key takeaways
- 1926.152(g) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart F).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 13 inspections, with $18,983 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: VA (4), NY (3), TX (2).
- Related part: 1926.152(g)(11) (4 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.152(g) ("Service and refueling areas") is one requirement inside 1926.152 Flammable liquids, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart F). It includes 13 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
(g) Service and refueling areas. 14 citations
(1) Flammable liquids shall be stored in approved closed containers, in tanks located underground, or in aboveground portable tanks.
(2) The tank trucks shall comply with the requirements covered in the Standard for Tank Vehicles for Flammable and Combustible Liquids, NFPA No. 385-1966. Open (g)(2)
(3) The dispensing hose shall be an approved type.
(4) The dispensing nozzle shall be an approved automatic-closing type without a latch-open device. 1 citations
(5) Underground tanks shall not be abandoned.
(6) Clearly identified and easily accessible switch(es) shall be provided at a location remote from dispensing devices to shut off the power to all dispensing devices in the event of an emergency.
(7)
(i) Heating equipment of an approved type may be installed in the lubrication or service area where there is no dispensing or transferring of Category 1, 2, or 3 flammable liquids, provided the bottom of the heating unit is at least 18 inches above the floor and is protected from physical damage.
(ii) Heating equipment installed in lubrication or service areas, where Category 1, 2, or 3 flammable liquids are dispensed, shall be of an approved type for garages, and shall be installed at least 8 feet above the floor.
(8) There shall be no smoking or open flames in the areas used for fueling, servicing fuel systems for internal combustion engines, receiving or dispensing of flammable liquids. 2 citations
(9) Conspicuous and legible signs prohibiting smoking shall be posted. 7 citations
(10) The motors of all equipment being fueled shall be shut off during the fueling operation.
(11) Each service or fueling area shall be provided with at least one fire extinguisher having a rating of not less than 20-B:C located so that an extinguisher will be within 75 feet of each pump, dispenser, underground fill pipe opening, and lubrication or service area. Open (g)(11) 4 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.152.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.152(g).
At 1:30 p.m. on January 9, 2025, Employee #1 was working as a construction laborer for a civil engineering firm and was refueling gas canisters. A coworkerwas operating a Link Belt 250X4 LF hydraulic excavator on the transfer barge during a dredging operation. Employee #1…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: VA (4), NY (3), TX (2), WV (1), TN (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DEAN EQUIPMENT INC. | PORT ARTHUR, TX | $10,000 |
| RYAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC. | SUFFOLK, VA | $5,110 |
| HODGES & HODGES ENTERPRISES LLC | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $2,500 |
| L J QUIGLIANO II, INC | GETZVILLE, NY | $923 |
| B M B INC | EVANSVILLE, IN | $450 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.152(g), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Requirements for storage and handling of gasoline on a construction site. (2004-01-29)
- Standard applies to tank trucks, not towing kettles. (1982-07-28)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.152(g)(11) 4 citations
- 1926.152(g)(2)
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Frequently asked questions
Must engines be off while refueling?
Yes. The motors of all equipment being fueled shall be shut off during the fueling operation.
What kind of fuel nozzle is required?
An approved automatic-closing type without a latch-open device.
What fire extinguisher is required in a fueling area?
At least one fire extinguisher rated not less than 20-B:C, located so one is within 75 feet of each pump, dispenser and underground fill pipe.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.152 (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.