1910.38(e): Evacuation Helpers Training
Employers must choose and train employees to help with a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees.
Key takeaways
- 1910.38(e) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart E).
- OSHA cited it 57 times in the last 3 years, in 56 inspections, with $89,972 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (8), NY (6), PR (6).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.38(e) ("Training") is one requirement inside 1910.38 Emergency action plans, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart E). 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
(e) Training. An employer must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees. 57 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.38.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: IL (8), NY (6), PR (6), AK (6), CT (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SOUTHWEST CHEESE COMPANY, LLC | CLOVIS, NM | $16,554 |
| GABRIEL CARE, INC. | FALL RIVER, MA | $16,550 |
| NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (NMDOH) | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $14,070 |
| CACIQUE FOODS LLC | AMARILLO, TX | $11,585 |
| ROTEX GLOBAL, LLC | CINCINNATI, OH | $8,276 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.38(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
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Frequently asked questions
Does an emergency action plan need evacuation helpers?
Yes. The employer must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees.
Who picks the evacuation helpers?
The employer designates them.
Is just naming helpers enough?
No. The designated employees must also be trained.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.38 (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 2026-10-22
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.