1910.120(q)(6)(v): On scene incident commander
Key takeaways
- 1910.120(q)(6)(v) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 5 times in the last 3 years, in 5 inspections, with $25,676 in current penalties.
- 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)(6)(v) ("On scene incident commander") is one requirement inside 1910.120 Hazardous waste operations and emergency response, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 6 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
(v) On scene incident commander. Incident commanders, who will assume control of the incident scene beyond the first responder awareness level, shall receive at least 24 hours of training equal to the first responder operations level and in addition have competency in the following areas and the employer shall so certify: 5 citations
(A) Know and be able to implement the employer's incident command system. 1 citations
(B) Know how to implement the employer's emergency response plan.
(C) Know and understand the hazards and risks associated with employees working in chemical protective clothing.
(D) Know how to implement the local emergency response plan.
(E) Know of the state emergency response plan and of the Federal Regional Response Team.
(F) Know and understand the importance of decontamination procedures.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.120.
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Training requirements for on scene incident commanders in OSHA's HAZWOPER standard (2024-02-29)
- Process operators' training requirements to take limited action in stopping an emergency release; role in an incident command system. (2004-02-14)
- Training and certification procedures of Hazwoper. (1991-05-13)
- Training requirements for employees in food storage facility where ammonia is used solely as a refrigerant. (1991-05-10)
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)(3)(iv) 14 citations
- 1910.120(q)(6)(ii) First responder operations level 14 citations
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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; 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.