1926.302 Power-Operated Hand Tools: citations, penalties and recently cited employers
Data as of October 5, 2026 · citations issued Oct 5, 2025 to Oct 5, 2026
This section covers electric, pneumatic, fuel-powered, hydraulic, and powder-actuated hand tools on construction sites. Electric tools must be grounded or double-insulated, pneumatic hoses must be secured to prevent accidental disconnection, and compressed air used for cleaning must be reduced below 30 psi with chip guarding. Only trained workers may operate powder-actuated tools, which must be tested, loaded only before use, and never pointed at anyone.
What the standard requires
- Use grounded or double-insulated electric tools
- Secure pneumatic tool hoses and attachments against disconnection
- Limit compressed air for cleaning to under 30 psi with chip guarding
- Permit only trained employees to use powder-actuated tools
Hazards it addresses
- Electric shock from ungrounded tools
- Injuries from whipping air hoses
- Penetrating wounds from nail guns and powder-actuated fasteners
Cited in framing, concrete forming, and finish carpentry trades.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926.302(b)(3) | 25 | 25 | $1,000 | |
| 1926.302(b)(10) | 1 | 1 | $3,972 | |
| 1926.302(b)(4) | Compressed air for cleaning must be reduced to less than 30 psi and used with effective chip guarding and PPE. | 1 | 1 | $1,000 |
| 1926.302(b)(5) | 1 | 1 | $0 | |
| 1926.302(b)(6) | 1 | 1 | $0 | |
| 1926.302(e)(1) | Only employees trained in the operation of the particular tool may operate powder-actuated tools. | 1 | 1 | $1,200 |
| 1926.302(e)(11) | 1 | 1 | $3,500 | |
| 1926.302(e)(6) | 1 | 1 | $0 |
Penalties
Across 32 alleged items, OSHA and state-plan offices proposed $46,898 in initial penalties. The current total in the public data is $45,120, 4% lower after settlements, contests and amendments.
By violation type: Serious 84%; Repeat 9%; Other-than-serious 6%.
Citations by state
| State | Inspections cited | Items | Initial penalties | Current penalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 26 | 26 | $28,212 | $26,434 |
| Colorado | 1 | 2 | $4,256 | $4,256 |
| North Carolina | 1 | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| New York | 1 | 1 | $5,958 | $5,958 |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 |
By industry
- Construction: 31 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name withheld (individual) | Smithsburg, MD | Aug 28, 2026 | 1 | $600 | $600 | OpenAbatement due Sep 8, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 21, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Ocean City, MD | Aug 19, 2026 | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | OpenAbatement due Aug 27, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 10, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Roger General Construction LLC | Hagerstown, MD | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $500 | $500 | OpenAbatement due Aug 26, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| ACR Solutions LLC | Baltimore, MD | Aug 18, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenAbatement due Aug 26, 2026Contest deadline ~Sep 9, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| Solano Construction, LLC | Cambridge, MD | Jul 14, 2026 | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | OpenAbatement due Jul 22, 2026Contest deadline ~Aug 4, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| K&S Construction Services, LLC | Cockeysville, MD | Jul 14, 2026 | 1 | $0 | $0 | OpenAbatement due Jul 22, 2026Contest deadline ~Aug 4, 2026 (est.) | osha.gov |
| MD Roofing & Siding LLC | Berlin, MD | Jul 6, 2026 | 1 | $500 | $350 | Informal settlementAbatement due Aug 6, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Lap Siding, Gutter & Roofing, LLC | Pikesville, MD | Jun 2, 2026 | 1 | $437 | $437 | Final orderAbatement due Jun 10, 2026 | osha.gov |
| BRC Construction, Inc. | Stevensville, MD | May 20, 2026 | 1 | $750 | $525 | Informal settlementAbatement due May 29, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Baltimore, MD | May 15, 2026 | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Final orderAbatement due May 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Pastora Construction LLC | Baltimore, MD | May 15, 2026 | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Final orderAbatement due May 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| A1 Roofing & Restoration, LLC | Denton, MD | May 15, 2026 | 1 | $1,250 | $1,250 | Final orderAbatement due May 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Denton, MD | May 11, 2026 | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Final orderAbatement due May 19, 2026 | osha.gov |
| TC Habana Construction Inc. | Ijamsville, MD | Apr 17, 2026 | 1 | $875 | $875 | Final orderAbatement due Apr 27, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Bluestar Remodeling LLC | Centreville, MD | Mar 23, 2026 | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Final orderAbatement due Mar 31, 2026 | osha.gov |
| EZ Prado Construction LLC | Centreville, MD | Mar 23, 2026 | 1 | $1,350 | $810 | Informal settlement | osha.gov |
| RG Pro Siding, Inc. | Easton, MD | Mar 20, 2026 | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Final orderAbatement due Mar 30, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Second Base, LLC | Canovanas, PR | Mar 10, 2026 | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | ContestedContested Mar 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| R.D.G. Construction, LLC | Westminster, MD | Mar 9, 2026 | 1 | $1,000 | $600 | Informal settlementAbatement due Mar 17, 2026 | osha.gov |
| B&R Roofing LLC | Frederick, MD | Feb 18, 2026 | 1 | $1,250 | $787 | Informal settlementAbatement due Feb 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Brothers Masonry & Construction LLC | Clarksburg, MD | Feb 18, 2026 | 1 | $1,200 | $1,200 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Jac Construction, LLC | Easton, MD | Feb 17, 2026 | 1 | $750 | $750 | Final orderAbatement due Feb 25, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Pikesville, MD | Dec 31, 2025 | 1 | $750 | $750 | Formal settlementAbatement due Jan 9, 2026Contested Feb 11, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Tanksco, Inc. | Kellnersville, WI | Dec 18, 2025 | 1 | $3,972 | $3,972 | Final orderAbatement due Jan 12, 2026 | osha.gov |
| Jsa Siding LLC | Arvada, CO | Dec 17, 2025 | 2 | $4,256 | $4,256 | Final orderAbatement due Jan 26, 2026 | osha.gov |
| D-A Framing, LLC | Rolesville, NC | Nov 25, 2025 | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Final orderAbatement due Dec 1, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Ocean Pines, MD | Nov 24, 2025 | 1 | $875 | $875 | Final orderAbatement due Dec 4, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Wancl Framing & Contractor LLC | Ithaca, NY | Feb 12, 2026 | 1 | $5,958 | $5,958 | Final orderAbatement due Dec 4, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Name withheld (individual) | Cordova, MD | Nov 19, 2025 | 1 | $525 | $525 | Final orderAbatement due Dec 1, 2025 | osha.gov |
| AGM Construction LLC | Hurlock, MD | Nov 3, 2025 | 1 | $1,400 | $1,400 | Final orderAbatement due Nov 12, 2025 | osha.gov |
| Larry&r Roofing Contracting LLC | Preston, MD | Oct 24, 2025 | 1 | $1,200 | $1,200 | Final orderAbatement due Nov 3, 2025 | osha.gov |
Often cited together
- 1926.102 Eye and Face Protection (25 shared inspections)
- 1926.501 Fall Protection (25 shared inspections)
- 1926.503 Fall Protection Training (24 shared inspections)
- 1926.20 Construction Safety Programs (19 shared inspections)
- 1926.1053 Ladder Safety (13 shared inspections)
- 1926.100 Hard Hats (12 shared inspections)
- 1926.502 Fall Protection Systems (9 shared inspections)
- 1926.1060 Ladder and Stair Training (7 shared inspections)
Questions
What does OSHA standard 1926.302 require?
This section covers electric, pneumatic, fuel-powered, hydraulic, and powder-actuated hand tools on construction sites. Electric tools must be grounded or double-insulated, pneumatic hoses must be secured to prevent accidental disconnection, and compressed air used for cleaning must be reduced below 30 psi with chip guarding. Only trained workers may operate powder-actuated tools, which must be tested, loaded only before use, and never pointed at anyone.
How often was 1926.302 cited in the last 12 months?
In the public data as of October 5, 2026, 1926.302 (Power-Operated Hand Tools) appeared in 31 inspections with citations issued between Oct 5, 2025 and Oct 5, 2026, covering 32 alleged violation items.
Which part of 1926.302 is cited most?
1926.302(b)(3) was the most-cited paragraph, with 25 items.
Which states cite 1926.302 most often?
The most citations under 1926.302 in this period were issued in Maryland, Colorado, North Carolina.
What is the typical penalty for a 1926.302 violation?
The median initial (proposed) penalty per item was $1,000; the median current penalty after settlements and amendments was $938. Totals: $46,898 proposed, $45,120 current. Penalties vary by violation type, employer size and history, and State Plans set their own amounts.
Are 1926.302 citations final?
Not necessarily. A citation is an allegation until it becomes a final order. 6% 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.