1910.1047(h): Emergency situations
Key takeaways
- 1910.1047(h) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- Related part: 1910.1047(h)(1) Written plan.
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1047(h) ("Emergency situations") is one requirement inside 1910.1047 Ethylene oxide, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 5 sub-paragraphs. 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
(h) Emergency situations —
(1) Written plan. Open (h)(1)
(i) A written plan for emergency situations shall be developed for each workplace where there is a possibility of an emergency. Appropriate portions of the plan shall be implemented in the event of an emergency.
(ii) The plan shall specifically provide that employees engaged in correcting emergency conditions shall be equipped with respiratory protection as required by paragraph (g) of this section until the emergency is abated.
(iii) The plan shall include the elements prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.38 and 29 CFR 1910.39, “Emergency action plans” and “Fire prevention plans,” respectively. Open (h)(1)(iii)
(2) Alerting employees. Where there is the possibility of employee exposure to EtO due to an emergency, means shall be developed to alert potentially affected employees of such occurrences promptly. Affected employees shall be immediately evacuated from the area in the event that an emergency occurs. Open (h)(2)
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1047.
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1047(h), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Use of ethylene oxide alarm systems with sensors (1998-12-11)
- Hazwoper training in hospitals. (1991-12-02)
- Plans are required for EtO emergency situations and must be written in accordance with 1910.38 and 1910.39. (1987-01-13)
- Means of alerting employees during EtO emergency situations in hospitals;direct voice communication may be used to warn employees during an EtO emergency. (1987-01-08)
Related parts of this rule
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About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1047 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly
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.