1910.120(q)(3)(iv): SCBA for Emergency Response
Employees in emergency response exposed to hazardous substances with an inhalation hazard or potential inhalation hazard must wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus until the individual in charge of the ICS uses air monitoring to decide less protection is safe.
Key takeaways
- 1910.120(q)(3)(iv) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 14 inspections, with $232,306 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (3), GA (2), OR (2).
- Related part: 1910.120(q) Emergency response to hazardous substance releases (405 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.120(q)(3)(iv) is one requirement inside 1910.120 Hazardous waste operations and emergency response, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). 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
(iv) Employees engaged in emergency response and exposed to hazardous substances presenting an inhalation hazard or potential inhalation hazard shall wear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus while engaged in emergency response, until such time that the individual in charge of the ICS determines through the use of air monitoring that a decreased level of respiratory protection will not result in hazardous exposures to employees. 14 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.120.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: IL (3), GA (2), OR (2), TN (1), WI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WOODLAND PULP, LLC | BAILEYVILLE, ME | $165,514 |
| BIO-LAB, INC. | CONYERS, GA | $16,550 |
| LEWISTOWN VALLEY ENTERPRISES, INC. | TAMAQUA, PA | $16,550 |
| 3M COMPANY | PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WI | $12,278 |
| TYSON WAREHOUSING SERVICES, LLC | MACON, GA | $8,372 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.120(q)(3)(iv), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Training and PPE requirements for hospital staff that decontaminate victims/patients. (2002-12-02)
- Respiratory protection requirements for hospital staff decontaminating chemically contaminated patients. (2002-09-05)
- Emergency response in the trucking industry (1991-04-03)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.120(q) Emergency response to hazardous substance releases 405 citations
- 1910.120(q)(6) Training 143 citations
- 1910.120(q)(8) Refresher training 115 citations
- 1910.120(q)(8)(i) 112 citations
- 1910.120(q)(6)(i) First responder awareness level 75 citations
- 1910.120(q)(1) Emergency response plan 67 citations
- 1910.120(q)(2) Elements of an emergency response plan 34 citations
- 1910.120(q)(3) Procedures for handling emergency response 33 citations
- 1910.120(q)(6)(iii) Hazardous materials technician 26 citations
- 1910.120(q)(6)(i)(A) 21 citations
- 1910.120(q)(6)(ii) First responder operations level 14 citations
- 1910.120(q)(3)(iii) 7 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
When is SCBA required in emergency response?
When responders are exposed to hazardous substances presenting an inhalation hazard or potential inhalation hazard.
Who can reduce respiratory protection?
The individual in charge of the ICS, using air monitoring.
What type of SCBA?
Positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus.
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; data as of 2026-10-20
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.