1910.157(g)(4): Fire Extinguisher Training Schedule
Employers must give the required fire extinguisher training to the designated group of employees when they are first assigned and at least once a year after that.
Key takeaways
- 1910.157(g)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 20 times in the last 3 years, in 20 inspections, with $10,869 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (6), MA (3), NJ (3).
- 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)(4) 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
(4) The employer shall provide the training required in paragraph (g)(3) of this section upon initial assignment to the designated group of employees and at least annually thereafter. 20 citations
[45 FR 60708, Sept. 12, 1980; 46 FR 24557, May 1, 1981, as amended at 51 FR 34560, Sept. 29, 1986; 61 FR 9239, Mar. 7, 1996; 67 FR 67964, Nov. 7, 2002]
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 | 8 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: IL (6), MA (3), NJ (3), NY (2), OH (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| VACATION INTERNATIONALE INC | PALM SPRINGS, CA | $4,701 |
| ZEHRCO-GIANCOLA COMPOSITES INC. | ASHTABULA, OH | $2,818 |
| MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY, INC. | BEVERLY, MA | $1,800 |
| GLOUCESTER COUNTY UTILITIES AUTHORITY | WEST DEPTFORD, NJ | $700 |
| DEPTFORD TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY (WATER) | WENONAH, NJ | $700 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.157(g)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.157(g)(4).
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)(3) 29 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 must fire extinguisher training be given?
Upon initial assignment to the designated group and at least annually thereafter.
Who must be trained?
The designated group of employees covered by paragraph (g)(3).
Is one-time training enough?
No. It must be repeated at least annually.
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.