1910.165 Employee Alarm Systems: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
Applies to alarm systems used to warn employees of emergencies or to trigger evacuation when another standard requires them. Alarms must be perceivable above ambient noise and light levels by all employees in the affected area, distinctive and recognizable as a signal to evacuate or take action, and supplemented with tactile devices where needed for employees who cannot see or hear them. Systems must be maintained in operating condition and tested regularly, and employees must know how to report emergencies.
What the standard requires
- Ensure alarms can be perceived above ambient noise or light levels
- Use distinctive, recognizable signals for evacuation or action
- Maintain and test alarm systems regularly
- Establish procedures for reporting emergencies
Hazards it addresses
- Delayed evacuation during fires or chemical releases
- Employees unaware of an emergency
Cited in manufacturing plants and large facilities where noise can mask alarms.
Plain-language summary written for this site; it is not the regulatory text and not legal advice. Read the official text at eCFR.
Citations by month
Inspections with citations issued, by month of issuance. Hatched months are incomplete: citations reach the public data about a month after issuance.
Most-cited paragraphs
| Paragraph | What it covers | Items | Inspections | Median initial penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910.165(d)(1) | Maintenance and testing of alarm systems | 8 | 8 | $0 |
| 1910.165(e) | 7 | 7 | $0 | |
| 1910.165(b)(2) | General requirements for alarm perception and distinctiveness | 5 | 5 | $5,500 |
| 1910.165(b)(1) | General requirements for alarm perception and distinctiveness | 4 | 4 | $450 |
| 1910.165(b)(4) | General requirements for alarm perception and distinctiveness | 2 | 2 | $6,182 |
| 1910.165(d)(2) | Maintenance and testing of alarm systems | 2 | 2 | $0 |
| 1910.165(b)(5) | General requirements for alarm perception and distinctiveness | 1 | 1 | $0 |
| 1910.165(d)(3) | Maintenance and testing of alarm systems | 1 | 1 | $0 |
Penalties
Across 30 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $288,740 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $278,115, 4% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 63%; Other-than-serious 33%; Willful 3%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 4 | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Colorado | 3 | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 5 | $24,116 | $22,566 |
| Connecticut | 2 | 4 | $940 | $484 |
| Virginia | 2 | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Wyoming | 2 | 2 | $18,840 | $17,694 |
| Florida | 1 | 1 | $6,621 | $4,304 |
| Hawaii | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Iowa | 1 | 2 | $220,000 | $220,000 |
| Indiana | 1 | 1 | $900 | $900 |
| Kentucky | 1 | 1 | $5,500 | $3,300 |
| Maine | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Oregon | 1 | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| Vermont | 1 | 1 | $11,823 | $8,867 |
By industry
- Manufacturing: 8 inspections
- Other services: 3 inspections
- Retail trade: 3 inspections
- Agriculture, forestry & fishing: 2 inspections
- Transportation & warehousing: 2 inspections
- Administrative & waste services: 1 inspections
- Accommodation & food services: 1 inspections
- Mining, oil & gas: 1 inspections
Recently cited establishments
About these records. Citations list alleged violations and proposed penalties. Employers can contest them, and many are reduced or withdrawn in settlement. Each row shows the original and the current penalty and a status label derived from the public data as of October 5, 2026. Check the linked osha.gov page for the official record.
| Establishment | Location | Issued | Alleged items | Initial penalty | Current penalty | Status and deadlines | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate Petroleum of Colorado, LLC | Fruita, CO | Aug 7, 2026 | 2 | $0 | $0 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 14, 2026Contested Aug 28, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Woodland Pulp, LLC | Baileyville, ME | Jul 24, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | ContestedAbatement due Sep 10, 2026Contested Aug 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, INC.* | Honolulu, HI | Apr 30, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final order | osha.gov |
| City of Covington Public Works | Park Hills, KY | Apr 16, 2026 | 1 | $5,500 | $3,300 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 4, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Dept. of Agriculture ? FS ? Angeles National Forest | San Fernando, CA | Mar 31, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due May 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Dept. of Agriculture ? FS ? Angeles National Forest | Arcadia, CA | Mar 31, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due May 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Muscatine, IA | Mar 27, 2026 | 2 | $220,000 | $220,000 | Final orderAbatement due Mar 29, 2027 | osha.gov |
| U.S. Postal Service - Erie, SCD | Erie, PA | Mar 26, 2026 | 3 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 21, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Norstam Veneers, Inc. | Mauckport, IN | Mar 23, 2026 | 1 | $900 | $900 | Final orderAbatement due May 7, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Splash Management Group LLC | Shelburne, VT | Mar 13, 2026 | 1 | $11,823 | $8,867 | Informal settlementAbatement due Apr 8, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Walmart, Inc. | Casper, WY | Feb 20, 2026 | 1 | $9,045 | $9,045 | ContestedContested Mar 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Ardent Mills, LLC | Easton, PA | Feb 18, 2026 | 1 | $16,550 | $15,000 | Final orderAbatement due Jul 31, 2026Contested Mar 18, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Dept. of Defense - USN | Port Hueneme, CA | Feb 12, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 1, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Delta Star, Inc. dba Delta Star East | Lynchburg, VA | Feb 2, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Hub Group Inc. | Taylor, PA | Jan 30, 2026 | 1 | $7,566 | $7,566 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Universal Liquors Enterprises, Inc. | Holiday, FL | Jan 29, 2026 | 1 | $6,621 | $4,304 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Kse Enterprises, LLC | Salem, VA | Jun 17, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Dept. of Defense - Usmc | Camp Pendleton, CA | Dec 19, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Jan 9, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Town of Hamden | Hamden, CT | Dec 19, 2025 | 1 | $400 | $160 | Informal settlementAbatement due Jan 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Airgas USA, LLC | Cortez, CO | Dec 16, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Formal settlementAbatement due Apr 1, 2026Contested Jan 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Messer LLC | Cortez, CO | Dec 16, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Formal settlementAbatement due Jan 23, 2026Contested Jan 13, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply | Cheyenne, WY | Nov 26, 2025 | 1 | $9,795 | $8,649 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 23, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Brew Dr Kombucha LLC | Tualatin, OR | Nov 21, 2025 | 1 | $0 | $0 | Final orderAbatement due Dec 15, 2025 | osha.gov |
| City of Milford | Milford, CT | Oct 15, 2025 | 3 | $540 | $324 | Informal settlementAbatement due Nov 18, 2025 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1910.37 Exit Route Maintenance (9 shared inspections)
- 1910.303 Electrical General (9 shared inspections)
- 1910.157 Fire Extinguishers (6 shared inspections)
- 1910.1200 Hazard Communication (5 shared inspections)
- 1910.305 Wiring Methods (5 shared inspections)
- 1910.38 Emergency Action Plans (4 shared inspections)
- 1910.28 Fall Protection Duty (4 shared inspections)
- 1910.120 HAZWOPER (3 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1910.165 require?
Applies to alarm systems used to warn employees of emergencies or to trigger evacuation when another standard requires them. Alarms must be perceivable above ambient noise and light levels by all employees in the affected area, distinctive and recognizable as a signal to evacuate or take action, and supplemented with tactile devices where needed for employees who cannot see or hear them. Systems must be maintained in operating condition and tested regularly, and employees must know how to report emergencies.
How often was 1910.165 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1910.165 (Employee Alarm Systems) appeared in 24 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 30 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1910.165 is cited most?
1910.165(d)(1) was the most-cited paragraph, with 8 items: Maintenance and testing of alarm systems
Which states cite 1910.165 most often?
The most citations under 1910.165 in this period were issued in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania.
What is the typical penalty for a 1910.165 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $0; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $0. Totals: $288,740 proposed, $278,115 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1910.165 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 23% of these items were contested, and many others were changed in settlements. Each listing shows its current status and a link to the official record.