1926.651(d): High-Visibility Vests Near Traffic
Employees exposed to public vehicular traffic during excavation work must be provided with, and must wear, warning vests or other suitable garments marked with or made of reflectorized or high-visibility material.
Key takeaways
- 1926.651(d) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart P).
- OSHA cited it 36 times in the last 3 years, in 36 inspections, with $59,302 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (5), VA (5), KY (4).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.651(d) ("Exposure to vehicular traffic") is one requirement inside 1926.651 Specific excavation requirements, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart P). 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
(d) Exposure to vehicular traffic. Employees exposed to public vehicular traffic shall be provided with, and shall wear, warning vests or other suitable garments marked with or made of reflectorized or high-visibility material. 36 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.651.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: IL (5), VA (5), KY (4), ME (3), IN (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ERVIN CABLE CONSTRUCTION, LLC | HENRICO, VA | $6,225 |
| 67548 - SMITH PROJECTS INC | WALNUT GROVE, KY | $4,900 |
| TBA CONSTRUCTION LLC | MECHANICSVILLE, VA | $4,820 |
| ROSELAND, INC. | OMAHA, NE | $4,502 |
| R AND D SITE DEVELOPMENT, LLC | REVERE, MA | $4,256 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.651(d), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Requirements for use of high-visibility warning garments by construction workers in highway work zones. (2004-05-11)
- Standard specifically applies to employees exposed to vehicular traffic involving excavation and/or trenching operations only. (1975-07-08)
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Frequently asked questions
When must workers wear high-visibility vests?
When exposed to public vehicular traffic.
What kind of garment is acceptable?
Warning vests or other suitable garments marked with or made of reflectorized or high-visibility material.
Who provides the vest?
The employer must provide it, and employees must wear it.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.651 (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.