1910.156(b): Fire Brigade Organization and Fitness
Employers that have a fire brigade must keep a written statement setting out that the brigade exists, how it is organized, the training members get, how many members are expected and what the brigade does. Employees expected to do interior structural firefighting must be physically able to do the work, and workers with known heart disease, epilepsy or emphysema need a physician's certificate of fitness before taking part.
Key takeaways
- 1910.156(b) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 29 times in the last 3 years, in 28 inspections, with $31,698 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (17), NY (5), MN (3).
- Related part: 1910.156(b)(1) Organizational statement (27 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.156(b) ("Organization") is one requirement inside 1910.156 Fire brigades, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart L). It includes 2 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
(b) Organization — 29 citations
(1) Organizational statement. The employer shall prepare and maintain a statement or written policy which establishes the existence of a fire brigade; the basic organizational structure; the type, amount, and frequency of training to be provided to fire brigade members; the expected number of members in the fire brigade; and the functions that the fire brigade is to perform at the workplace. The organizational statement shall be available for inspection by the Assistant Secretary and by employees or their designated representatives. Open (b)(1) 27 citations
(2) Personnel. The employer shall assure that employees who are expected to do interior structural fire fighting are physically capable of performing duties which may be assigned to them during emergencies. The employer shall not permit employees with known heart disease, epilepsy, or emphysema, to participate in fire brigade emergency activities unless a physician's certificate of the employees' fitness to participate in such activities is provided. For employees assigned to fire brigades before September 15, 1980, this paragraph is effective on September 15, 1990. For employees assigned to fire brigades on or after September 15, 1980, this paragraph is effective December 15, 1980. Open (b)(2) 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.156.
Export the list: 28 inspections cited 1910.156(b) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: IL (17), NY (5), MN (3), TX (2), FL (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GEORGIA PACIFIC WOOD PRODUCTS | CAMDEN, TX | $21,516 |
| DAIRY FEEDS, INC. | OKEECHOBEE, FL | $6,452 |
| ELIZABETH FPD | ELIZABETH, IL | $2,640 |
| BETHEL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT | BETHEL, CT | $320 |
| 106604 - CITY OF DELAVAN - FIRE DEPARTMENT | DELAVAN, MN | $280 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.156(b).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.156(b)(1) Organizational statement 27 citations
- 1910.156(b)(2) Personnel 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must the fire brigade organizational statement cover?
It must set out that the brigade exists, its basic structure, the type, amount and frequency of training, the expected number of members and the functions it performs.
Who can look at the organizational statement?
It must be available for inspection by the Assistant Secretary and by employees or their designated representatives.
Can a worker with heart disease serve on the fire brigade?
Not in fire brigade emergency activities unless a physician's certificate of the employee's fitness to take part is provided. The same applies to known epilepsy or emphysema.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.156 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-11-06
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.