1910.120(q)(8)(i): Annual HAZMAT Responder Refresher Training
Employers must give emergency responders trained under paragraph (q)(6) annual refresher training long and detailed enough to keep their skills, or have them demonstrate competency in those areas at least yearly.
Key takeaways
- 1910.120(q)(8)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 112 times in the last 3 years, in 112 inspections, with $51,328 in current penalties.
- Most citations: ME (36), CT (32), IL (22).
- 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)(8)(i) 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
(i) Those employees who are trained in accordance with paragraph (q)(6) of this section shall receive annual refresher training of sufficient content and duration to maintain their competencies, or shall demonstrate competency in those areas at least yearly. 112 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 | 11 |
| 2024 | 48 |
| 2025 | 41 |
| 2026 | 12 |
Top states: ME (36), CT (32), IL (22), NY (18), NJ (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BWC TERMINALS, LLC | HOUSTON, TX | $16,550 |
| 3M COMPANY | PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WI | $12,278 |
| WOODCLIFF LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT | WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ | $3,500 |
| LAMBERTVILLE MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY | LAMBERTVILLE, NJ | $2,800 |
| CITY OF BELFAST | BELFAST, ME | $850 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.120(q)(8)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.120(q)(8)(i).
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)(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
- 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
How often do HAZMAT emergency responders need refresher training?
Annually, or they must demonstrate competency at least yearly.
Who does this apply to?
Employees trained under paragraph (q)(6) of 1910.120.
How long must refresher training be?
Of sufficient content and duration to maintain their competencies.
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.