---
kind: "section"
citation: "29 U.S.C. § 658"
title: "29"
title_heading: "Labor"
number: "658"
heading: "Citations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/29/658"
units:
  - "Chapter 15 — Occupational Safety and Health"
---

# §658. Citations

- (a) **Authority to issue; grounds; contents; notice in lieu of citation for de minimis violations—** If, upon inspection or investigation, the [Secretary](/usc/29/652.md?p=1) or his authorized representative believes that an [employer](/usc/29/652.md?p=5) has violated a requirement of [section 654 of this title](/usc/29/654.md), of any standard, rule or order promulgated pursuant to [section 655 of this title](/usc/29/655.md), or of any regulations prescribed pursuant to this chapter, he shall with reasonable promptness issue a citation to the [employer](/usc/29/652.md?p=5). Each citation shall be in writing and shall describe with particularity the nature of the violation, including a reference to the provision of the chapter, standard, rule, regulation, or order alleged to have been violated. In addition, the citation shall fix a reasonable time for the abatement of the violation. The [Secretary](/usc/29/652.md?p=1) may prescribe procedures for the issuance of a notice in lieu of a citation with respect to de minimis violations which have no direct or immediate relationship to safety or health.
- (b) **Posting—** Each citation issued under this section, or a copy or copies thereof, shall be prominently posted, as prescribed in regulations issued by the [Secretary](/usc/29/652.md?p=1), at or near each place a violation referred to in the citation occurred.
- (c) **Time for issuance—** No citation may be issued under this section after the expiration of six months following the occurrence of any violation.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 91–596, § 9, Dec. 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 1601.)