1926.601(b)(3): Working Horn on Every Vehicle
Employers must equip all vehicles with an adequate audible warning device, such as a horn, at the operator's station. The device must be kept in working condition.
Key takeaways
- 1926.601(b)(3) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart O).
- OSHA cited it 8 times in the last 3 years, in 8 inspections, with $25,429 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1926.601(b) General requirements (92 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.601(b)(3) is one requirement inside 1926.601 Motor vehicles, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart O). 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) All vehicles shall be equipped with an adequate audible warning device at the operator's station and in an operable condition. 8 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.601.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.601(b)(3).
At 3:41 p.m. on November 15, 2023, Employee #1 (flagger) was standing immediately behind a Kenworth dump truck #07-1416. The driver of the truck beganto back up without an operable back up alarm or warning signal. Employee # 1 wasstuck by the rear four tires…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.601(b)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.601(b)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.601(b) General requirements 92 citations
- 1926.601(b)(4) 39 citations
- 1926.601(b)(14) 29 citations
- 1926.601(b)(4)(i) 13 citations
- 1926.601(b)(5) 10 citations
- 1926.601(b)(4)(ii) 5 citations
- 1926.601(b)(9) 2 citations
- 1926.601(b)(6)
- 1926.601(b)(8)
- 1926.601(b)(10)
- 1926.601(b)(11)
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
Where must the vehicle warning device be located?
At the operator's station.
Does the horn have to work?
Yes. The audible warning device must be adequate and in an operable condition.
Which vehicles does this cover?
The rule says all vehicles.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.601 (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.