1926.306(b): Air Receiver Installation and Equipment
Air receivers must be installed so drains, handholes and manholes are easily accessible, never buried or in an inaccessible place. Each needs a drain valve at its lowest point opened often enough to prevent liquid buildup, a readily visible pressure gage, and spring-loaded safety valves that keep pressure from exceeding the maximum allowable working pressure by more than 10 percent.
Key takeaways
- 1926.306(b) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 53 times in the last 3 years, in 53 inspections, with $22,443 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NC (34), MD (14), GA (2).
- Related part: 1926.306(b)(3) Gages and valves (53 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.306(b) ("Installation and equipment requirements") is one requirement inside 1926.306 Air receivers, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart I). It includes 7 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) Installation and equipment requirements — 53 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) 53 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. Open (b)(3)(i) 42 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. Open (b)(3)(iii) 11 citations
(iv) All safety valves shall be tested frequently and at regular intervals to determine whether they are in good operating condition.
[58 FR 35176, June 30, 1993]
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.306.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.306(b).
At 2:49 p.m. on February 22, 2025, Employee #1 was standing on a 5-foot ladder inspecting a sandblasting tank while refilling it and checking hose connections.An unidentified substance inside the tank exploded, causing Employee #1 to be thrown from the ladder. Employee #1 was fatally…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 13 |
Top states: NC (34), MD (14), GA (2), AZ (1), LA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SEMPER FI INDUSTRIAL COATINGS | SHREVEPORT, LA | $11,585 |
| 159247 - GSO CONTRACTING, INC. | SUMMERFIELD, NC | $3,000 |
| PIG ROOFING, LLC. | JACKSONVILLE, FL | $2,200 |
| DIEGO BRICENO | SAVANNAH, GA | $2,074 |
| FERNANDO HERNANDEZ LOPEZ | SAVANNAH, GA | $1,659 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.306(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.306(b).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.306(b)(3) Gages and valves 53 citations
- 1926.306(b)(3)(i) 42 citations
- 1926.306(b)(3)(iii) 11 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
How often must the drain be opened?
Frequently and at intervals that prevent excessive amounts of liquid from building up.
How much relief capacity must safety valves have?
Enough to keep pressure from exceeding the receiver's maximum allowable working pressure by more than 10 percent.
Can a valve be put between the tank and safety valve?
No valve of any type shall be placed there.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.306 (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.