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Workplace Fire Safety Training: Extinguishers and Exits

If an employer provides portable fire extinguishers for employees to use, OSHA requires an educational program on the general principles of extinguisher use and the hazards of fighting a fire in its early stage. It is due when someone is first hired and at least once a year after that (29 CFR 1910.157(g)). Where an OSHA standard requires an emergency action plan, 29 CFR 1910.38 sets what goes in the plan and how employees are trained on it. Some of this only the employer can do, like walking workers through their own exits, alarms and extinguishers.

Updated October 16, 2026 · Checked against the official sources listed at the end

When the extinguisher rule applies

Section 1910.157 covers portable fire extinguishers provided for the use of employees. The rule has exemptions that depend on the employer's plans.

Full exemption: the employer has a written fire safety policy requiring immediate and total evacuation when the alarm sounds, has an emergency action plan and a fire prevention plan that meet 1910.38 and 1910.39, and has no extinguishers available in the workplace. Another standard may still require extinguishers (1910.157(b)(1)).
Designated users: if the emergency action plan names certain employees as the only ones allowed to use extinguishers, and everyone else evacuates when the alarm sounds, the employer is exempt from the distribution requirements in paragraph (d) (1910.157(b)(2)).
Extinguishers provided but not meant for employee use, with a compliant emergency action plan and fire prevention plan: only paragraphs (e) and (f) apply (1910.157(a)).

Extinguisher training: at hire and every year

Where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use, it must provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting (1910.157(g)(1)). Incipient stage means a fire in its early stage.

That education is due upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter (1910.157(g)(2)).

Employees designated to use fire fighting equipment as part of an emergency action plan need training in the use of the appropriate equipment. That training is due when they are first assigned to the designated group and at least annually after that (1910.157(g)(3)-(4)).

Emergency action plans

An employer must have an emergency action plan whenever an OSHA standard requires one (1910.38(a)). The plan must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and available to employees for review. An employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally (1910.38(b)).

At a minimum, the plan must include the items below (1910.38(c)). The employer must also have and maintain an employee alarm system (1910.38(d)).

Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency.
Evacuation procedures, including the type of evacuation and exit route assignments.
Procedures for employees who stay to run critical operations before they evacuate.
Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation.
Procedures for employees doing rescue or medical duties.
The name or job title of whoever employees can contact to learn more about the plan.

Training and review under the emergency action plan

The employer must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees (1910.38(e)).

The employer must also review the plan with each employee it covers at three points (1910.38(f)).

When the plan is developed or the employee is first assigned to a job.
When the employee's responsibilities under the plan change.
When the plan is changed.

Fire prevention plans

A fire prevention plan is required when an OSHA standard requires one (1910.39(a)). Like the emergency action plan, it must be written, kept in the workplace and available for review, but an employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate it orally (1910.39(b)).

The employer must inform employees, when they are first assigned to a job, of the fire hazards they are exposed to, and review with each employee the parts of the plan needed for self-protection (1910.39(d)).

What only the employer can do, and where a course fits

A general course can explain fire safety principles. It cannot show a worker where your exits and extinguishers are, what your alarm sounds like, who is designated to fight a fire or help with evacuation, or what your plan says. Those parts, and any equipment training for designated employees, are the employer's job.

OSHA says it does not approve, certify, or endorse individual trainers or training programs.

Pact sells the Workplace Fire Safety course for $24.95. Workplace Fire Safety is an online certification course from ProTrainings. Confirm with your program or clinical site that this course meets its requirements before you enroll. ProTrainings makes and runs the course; Pact sells it and handles your order. Buyers must be 18 or older.

Common questions

Is fire extinguisher training required every year?

Where an employer provides portable extinguishers for employee use, OSHA requires the educational program upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter (1910.157(g)(2)).

Does a small business need a written emergency action plan?

When a standard requires an emergency action plan, it must be in writing, but an employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally (1910.38(b)).

Does every employee have to be trained to use an extinguisher?

Not always. If the emergency action plan designates certain employees as the only ones allowed to use extinguishers and everyone else evacuates, those designated employees get equipment training (1910.157(b)(2), (g)(3)). Whether the general education in (g)(1) still applies depends on your setup, so check the rule or ask a safety professional.

Does the training have to be hands-on?

Section 1910.157(g)(1) calls for an educational program on the general principles of extinguisher use. Employees designated to fight fires under an emergency action plan need training in the use of the appropriate equipment under (g)(3). The parts about your own building and equipment have to come from the employer.

Does OSHA approve fire safety courses?

No. OSHA says it does not approve, certify, or endorse individual trainers or training programs.