1910.156(b)(1): Fire Brigade Organizational Statement
Employers with a fire brigade must prepare and keep a written statement or policy setting 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. The statement must be available for inspection by the Assistant Secretary and by employees or their designated representatives.
Key takeaways
- 1910.156(b)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 27 times in the last 3 years, in 27 inspections, with $20,620 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (17), NY (5), MN (3).
- Related part: 1910.156(b) Organization (29 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.156(b)(1) ("Organizational statement") is one requirement inside 1910.156 Fire brigades, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart L). 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
(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. 27 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.156.
Export the list: 27 inspections cited 1910.156(b)(1) 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 | 11 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: IL (17), NY (5), MN (3), FL (1), TX (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GEORGIA PACIFIC WOOD PRODUCTS | CAMDEN, TX | $10,758 |
| DAIRY FEEDS, INC. | OKEECHOBEE, FL | $6,452 |
| ELIZABETH FPD | ELIZABETH, IL | $2,640 |
| 106604 - CITY OF DELAVAN - FIRE DEPARTMENT | DELAVAN, MN | $280 |
| 109595 - FREEWAY TRANSFER INC | BURNSVILLE, MN | $250 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.156(b)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.156(b)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.156(b) Organization 29 citations
- 1910.156(b)(2) Personnel 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Must the fire brigade statement be written?
Yes, a statement or written policy.
What must it describe?
The brigade's existence, organization, training, expected number of members and functions at the workplace.
Who may inspect it?
The Assistant Secretary and employees or their designated representatives.
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.