1926.302(b): Pneumatic Power Tool Safety
Employers must make sure pneumatic tools are secured to the hose by positive means, impact tools have safety clips or retainers, and nailers or staplers over 100 p.s.i. have a muzzle safety device. Compressed air for cleaning must be under 30 p.s.i. with chip guarding and PPE except listed uses, operating pressures must not be exceeded, hoses must not hoist tools, hoses over 1/2-inch need a pressure safety device, and high-pressure airless spray guns need safety devices.
Key takeaways
- 1926.302(b) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 122 times in the last 3 years, in 120 inspections, with $153,496 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (102), NC (5), NJ (3).
- Related part: 1926.302(b)(3) (103 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.302(b) ("Pneumatic power tools") is one requirement inside 1926.302 Power-operated hand tools, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart I). It includes 10 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
(b) Pneumatic power tools. 122 citations
(1) Pneumatic power tools shall be secured to the hose or whip by some positive means to prevent the tool from becoming accidentally disconnected. Open (b)(1) 1 citations
(2) Safety clips or retainers shall be securely installed and maintained on pneumatic impact (percussion) tools to prevent attachments from being accidentally expelled.
(3) All pneumatically driven nailers, staplers, and other similar equipment provided with automatic fastener feed, which operate at more than 100 p.s.i. pressure at the tool shall have a safety device on the muzzle to prevent the tool from ejecting fasteners, unless the muzzle is in contact with the work surface. Open (b)(3) 103 citations
(4) Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment which meets the requirements of subpart E of this part. The 30 p.s.i. requirement does not apply for concrete form, mill scale and similar cleaning purposes. Open (b)(4) 5 citations
(5) The manufacturer's safe operating pressure for hoses, pipes, valves, filters, and other fittings shall not be exceeded, Open (b)(5) 7 citations
(6) The use of hoses for hoisting or lowering tools shall not be permitted. 5 citations
(7) All hoses exceeding 1⁄2-inch inside diameter shall have a safety device at the source of supply or branch line to reduce pressure in case of hose failure. Open (b)(7)
(8) Airless spray guns of the type which atomize paints and fluids at high pressures (1,000 pounds or more per square inch) shall be equipped with automatic or visible manual safety devices which will prevent pulling of the trigger to prevent release of the paint or fluid until the safety device is manually released.
(9) In lieu of the above, a diffuser nut which will prevent high pressure, high velocity release, while the nozzle tip is removed, plus a nozzle tip guard which will prevent the tip from coming into contact with the operator, or other equivalent protection, shall be provided.
(10) Abrasive blast cleaning nozzles. The blast cleaning nozzles shall be equipped with an operating valve which must be held open manually. A support shall be provided on which the nozzle may be mounted when it is not in use. Open (b)(10) 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.302.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.302(b).
At 11:06 a.m. on December 13, 2024, an employee working as a construction laborer for a roofing contractor was installing shingles on a decorative eye brow roof. The employee was working from a height of 27 feet from a Werner 40-foot aluminum extension ladder. A…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 38 |
| 2025 | 58 |
| 2026 | 19 |
Top states: MD (102), NC (5), NJ (3), CO (3), GA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WANCL FRAMING & CONTRACTOR LLC | ITHACA, NY | $5,958 |
| PBX CORPORATION | DODGE CITY, KS | $5,808 |
| ODI CONSTRUCTION, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY | WOODSBORO, MD | $4,800 |
| JOSE VIDAL CRUZ SARAVIA | UPPER MARLBORO, MD | $4,800 |
| BCL ENTERPRISES, LLC. | MIDDLETOWN, NJ | $4,610 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.302(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Whether an abrasive blast cleaning nozzle can use a mechanical device to keep the valve in the open position. (2012-05-30)
- What OSHA construction standards govern the use of pneumatic hand tools used in construction for cleaning concrete forms, bridge decks and roads? (2005-08-26)
- Application of OSHA construction standards to govern the use of pneumatic hand tools used in construction for cleaning concrete forms, bridge decks, and roads. (2005-01-19)
- Use of quick disconnect with "pull-down sleeve" to satisfy requirement of a positive means to prevent pneumatic tools from becoming accidentally disconnected (2003-11-14)
- Use of compressed air above 30 p.s.i. for cleaning purposes;nonmetallic-sheathed cable for temporary wiring. (2000-10-04)
- Applicability of 1910.212(a)(3)(ii) to Portable Pneumatic Powered Fastener Tools (1985-03-25)
- Clarification that a safety device to automatically cut off the flow of compressed air applies only to pneumatic power tools (1983-06-06)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.302(b)(3) 103 citations
- 1926.302(b)(5) 7 citations
- 1926.302(b)(4) 5 citations
- 1926.302(b)(1) 1 citations
- 1926.302(b)(10) Abrasive blast cleaning nozzles 1 citations
- 1926.302(b)(7)
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Frequently asked questions
How must an air tool be connected to the hose?
Secured to the hose or whip by some positive means so it cannot accidentally disconnect.
What pressure is allowed for cleaning with compressed air?
Less than 30 p.s.i., with effective chip guarding and PPE; this limit does not apply to concrete form, mill scale and similar cleaning.
Which airless spray guns need safety devices?
Those that atomize paints and fluids at 1,000 pounds or more per square inch.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.302 (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.