1910.157(g)(3): Training for Workers Who Use Fire Fighting Equipment
Employers must train employees who are designated to use fire fighting equipment as part of an emergency action plan in the use of the appropriate equipment.
Key takeaways
- 1910.157(g)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 29 times in the last 3 years, in 29 inspections, with $44,598 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (5), VA (5), NJ (5).
- Related part: 1910.157(g) Training and education (719 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.157(g)(3) is one requirement inside 1910.157 Portable fire extinguishers, 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
(3) The employer shall provide employees who have been designated to use fire fighting equipment as part of an emergency action plan with training in the use of the appropriate equipment. 29 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.157.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: NY (5), VA (5), NJ (5), PA (3), TX (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BRISTOL HEALTH & REHAB CENTER, LLC | BRISTOL, PA | $8,511 |
| BOOM INC | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $7,920 |
| J. MULLEN & SONS, INC. | SAUGERTIES, NY | $7,813 |
| PPR | LAS PIEDRAS, PR | $7,093 |
| VINELAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS - TRANSPORTATION GARAGE | VINELAND, NJ | $4,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.157(g)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.157(g)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.157(g) Training and education 719 citations
- 1910.157(g)(1) 455 citations
- 1910.157(g)(2) 215 citations
- 1910.157(g)(4) 20 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
Who needs fire extinguisher training under this paragraph?
Employees designated to use fire fighting equipment as part of an emergency action plan.
What must the training cover?
The use of the appropriate equipment.
Who provides the training?
The employer.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.157 (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.