OSHA rules
OSHA proposes removing its safety color code
OSHA proposed in July 2025 to remove 29 CFR 1910.144, its general industry safety color code (red for fire protection equipment, danger and stop; yellow for caution), along with related textile, sawmill and shipyard provisions. The hearing was August 26, 2026; there is no final rule.
On your exam?
Not yet: the exam still tests the prior rule
1910.144 is still in force, so on the exam red still means fire equipment, danger and stop, and yellow still means caution.
Judged against ASP11 and CSP11, the outlines in effect on October 16, 2026.
- Status
- Proposed. Hearing held; final briefs were due October 10, 2026
- From
- OSHA
- Citation
- 90 FR 28282; RIN 1218-AD50
- Last checked
- October 16, 2026
Key dates
- July 1, 2025Proposed rule published
- September 2, 2025Comment period closes
- August 26, 2026Informal public hearing
- September 25, 2026Post-hearing comments due
- October 10, 2026Final written briefs due
What 1910.144 says today
- Red is the basic color for fire protection equipment and apparatus, danger (including red danger signs and safety cans for flammable liquids with a flash point at or below 80 °F) and stop (emergency stop bars and buttons).
- Yellow is the basic color for caution and for marking physical hazards such as striking against, stumbling, falling, tripping and caught in between.
What OSHA proposed
Remove 1910.144, paragraph (c)(8) of the textiles standard (1910.262), paragraph (c)(11) of the sawmills standard (1910.265) and the shipyard color code (1915.90).
Sources
- Federal Register: Safety Color Code proposed rule (July 1, 2025)
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.144
- OSHA: deregulatory rulemaking and hearing schedule
Published October 16, 2026. Last checked against these sources October 16, 2026. Something out of date? Email hello@passcited.com.