1910.120(l)(3): Procedures for handling emergency incidents
Key takeaways
- 1910.120(l)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- Related part: 1910.120(l) Emergency response by employees at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.120(l)(3) ("Procedures for handling emergency incidents") is one requirement inside 1910.120 Hazardous waste operations and emergency response, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 9 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
(3) Procedures for handling emergency incidents.
(i) In addition to the elements for the emergency response plan required in paragraph (l)(2) of this section, the following elements shall be included for emergency response plans:
(A) Site topography, layout, and prevailing weather conditions.
(B) Procedures for reporting incidents to local, state, and federal governmental agencies.
(ii) The emergency response plan shall be a separate section of the Site Safety and Health Plan.
(iii) The emergency response plan shall be compatible and integrated with the disaster, fire and/or emergency response plans of local, state, and federal agencies.
(iv) The emergency response plan shall be rehearsed regularly as part of the overall training program for site operations.
(v) The site emergency response plan shall be reviewed periodically and, as necessary, be amended to keep it current with new or changing site conditions or information.
(vi) An employee alarm system shall be installed in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.165 to notify employees of an emergency situation; to stop work activities if necessary; to lower background noise in order to speed communication; and to begin emergency procedures.
(vii) Based upon the information available at time of the emergency, the employer shall evaluate the incident and the site response capabilities and proceed with the appropriate steps to implement the site emergency response plan.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.120.
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.120(l)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.120(l) Emergency response by employees at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites
- 1910.120(l)(2)(viii)
- 1910.120(l)(2) Elements of an emergency response plan
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About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.120 (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.