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○ Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents

• Standard Number: 1910.134(g); 1910.120; 1910.156

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation 

letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but 

they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's 

interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be 

affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in 

response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult 

OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov.

May 1, 1995

MEMORANDUM FOR: REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS

FROM: JAMES W. STANLEY,

DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY

SUBJECT: Response to IDLH or Potential IDLH Atmospheres

The agency has recently received a number of requests for interpretation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for 

workers who are actively conducting operations in atmospheres that are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH). The specific question posed is 

whether OSHA regulations mandate the minimum number of workers required to be involved in operations under IDLH or potential IDLH conditions. 

The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify requirements under all of the applicable standards which have a bearing on this question, namely: Hazardous 

Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER), 29 CFR 1910.120; Respiratory Protection, 29 CFR 1910.134; Fire Brigades, 29 CFR 1910.156; and 

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. It is intended to apply to operations where IDLH conditions exist or potentially exist in the 

following situations:

1. Emergency responses to uncontrolled releases of a hazardous substance or substances;

2. Emergency operations covering interior structural fire fighting.

As will be explained in greater detail later in the memorandum, the interpretations given herein are not intended to apply to personnel prior to initiation of IDLH 

operations. At the end of the memorandum is a two page summary to which persons who do not have a need to follow in detail the reasons which led the 

Agency to the particular requirements contained therein may refer. 

This memorandum does not address entry into a confined space containing an IDLH atmosphere. That subject is addressed in the Permit Required Confined 

Space standard, 29 CFR 1910.146, and is discussed in the compliance directive on that standard. 

CLARIFICATION OF 1910.120:

Attached for your reference is a copy of an August 15, 1994, letter to Ms. Peg Seminario of the AFL-CIO that provides OSHA's current interpretation of the 

HAZWOPER standard as it relates to IDLH operations. The letter specifically addresses the HAZWOPER requirement for workers who are engaged in remedial 

operations as well as in emergency response operations in atmospheres which are or may be IDLH and who utilize self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) 

for the control of inhalation hazard(s). 

The HAZWOPER standard addresses three categories of employees: workers at hazardous waste sites (paragraphs b-o), workers at Treatment, Storage, and 

Disposal facilities (paragraph p) and workers in workplace situations where they face an actual or potential emergency from the release of hazardous 

substances (paragraph q). Fire fighters are often involved in emergency response operations when serving as members of an organized HAZMAT team, and as 

such, would be covered by the HAZWOPER standard. 

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Paragraph 1910.120(q)(3)(v) of HAZWOPER requires that "operations in hazardous areas (emphasis added) shall be performed using the buddy system in 

groups of two or more." In addition, paragraph 1910.120(q)(3)(vi) states that "back up personnel shall stand by with equipment ready to provide assistance or 

rescue." This section means that as a minimum the buddy system must be used within the hazardous area (entry by at least two persons) and at least two 

additional personnel shall stand by outside the hazardous area. Thus, there must be at least four individuals at the site. One of the two individuals outside the 

hazard area can be assigned to another task, provided that the second assignment does not interfere with the performance of the standby role. 

Regarding the use of buddy systems, OSHA understands the HAZWOPER standard to mean the following: a buddy shall be assigned who is able to: (1) provide 

the partner with assistance; (2) observe the partner for signs of chemical, heat, or other hazardous exposure; (3) periodically check the integrity of the 

partner's personal protective equipment/clothing; and (4) if emergency help is needed, notify the appropriate individual (i.e., the Command Post Supervisor, the 

On-Scene Incident Commander). The standard defines a "buddy system" and "IDLH" below as: 

Buddy system means a system of organizing employees into workgroups in such a manner that each employee of the work group is designated to be 

observed by at least one other employee in the work group. The purpose of the buddy system is to provide rapid assistance to employees in the event of an 

emergency. 

IDLH or Immediately dangerous to life or health means an atmospheric concentration of any toxic, corrosive or asphyxiant substance that poses an 

immediate threat to life or would cause irreversible or delayed adverse health effects or would interfere with an individual's ability to escape from a 

dangerous atmosphere. 

Please refer to OSHA Instruction CPL 2-2.59, "Inspection Procedures for the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard, 29 CFR 

1910.120, paragraph (q): Emergency Response to Hazardous Substance Releases," for further compliance guidance and information on paragraph (q). 

CLARIFICATION OF 1910.134:

The Respiratory Protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, which does apply to operations covered by OSHA's Fire Brigade Standard will be discussed next.

Paragraph (e)(3), requires the development of written procedures for the safe use of respirators in IDLH and potential IDLH atmospheres. Paragraphs (e)(3)(i) 

and (ii) of the standard specifically state that:

(3) Written procedures shall be prepared covering safe use of respirators in dangerous atmospheres that might be encountered in normal operations or in 

emergencies. Personnel shall be familiar with these procedures and the available respirators.

(i) In areas where the wearer, with failure of the respirator, could be overcome by a toxic or oxygen-deficient atmosphere, at least one additional man shall be 

present. Communications (visual, voice, or signal line) shall be maintained between both or all individuals present. Planning shall be such that one individual will 

be unaffected by any likely incident and have the proper rescue equipment to be able to assist the other(s) in case of emergency.

(ii) When self-contained breathing apparatus or hose masks with blowers are used in atmospheres immediately dangerous to life or health, standby men must 

be present with suitable rescue equipment." (Please note that NIOSH no longer approves hose masks with blowers for IDLH).

Paragraph (i) addresses workplace conditions where an IDLH atmosphere is possible but not presently existing. It requires at least one standby person to be 

present in communication with the worker(s) who are in the area of the potential IDLH. This standby person must be located outside of the potential IDLH 

exposure area and, therefore, would be able to provide or call for emergency assistance, if necessary.

Paragraph (ii) requires that for known or existing IDLE atmospheres, at least two standby persons must be present with positive pressure self-contained 

breathing apparatus (SCBA) and retrieval equipment for emergency assistance.

Consequently, the Respiratory Protection standard requires a minimum of two personnel to function in a standby capacity and located in a safe area to monitor 

and provide emergency assistance to worker(s) in a known IDLH atmosphere. This rule does not address the number of workers required within the IDLH 

hazardous area, nor does it explicitly require the use of a "buddy system" as defined in the HAZWOPER standard. However, a "buddy system" approach would 

be in compliance with 1910.134.

According to 1910.134, written procedures must be developed to address the safe use of respirators in dangerous atmospheres that may be encountered either 

in normal operations or in emergencies. These procedures must include a plan for rescue based on any circumstances that can reasonably be anticipated during 

the operation. In the event that rescue of worker(s) from the hazardous area is necessary, the standard requires a minimum of two properly trained and 

equipped individuals to remain outside of the hazard area, one unaffected by the incident who is to maintain communications with all parties, to coordinate the 

rescue and summon additional assistance, if necessary. The other must be trained, equipped and available to effect a successful rescue. If appropriate, an 

employer may elect to use non-entry rescue, such as retrieval systems using safety harnesses and safety lines, for removing persons from hazardous 

atmospheres.

The Respiratory Protection standard is currently being amended. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register (59 FR 219) on November 15, 1994. 

The written comment period was extended to April 13, 1995.

This document was edited on 04/01/99 to strike information that no longer reflects current OSHA policy.]

CLARIFICATION OF 1910.156:

The Fire Brigade standard, 29 CFR 1910.156, contains mandatory requirements for fire fighting units. The standard covers only emergency operations involving 

interior structural fire fighting. Because fire brigades vary in type, function and size, the OSHA requirements are performance oriented to provide enough 

flexibility for the employer to organize a fire brigade which best reflects the needs of the workplace. 

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In 29 CFR 1910.155, "Scope, application and definitions applicable to this subpart" (i.e., Subpart L) defines interior structural fire fighting as: "the physical 

activity of fire suppression rescue or both inside of buildings or enclosed structures which are involved in a fire situation beyond the incipient stage." Enclosed 

structure means: "a structure with a roof or ceiling and at least two walls which may present fire hazards to employees, such as accumulations of smoke, toxic 

gases and heat, similar to those found in buildings." An incipient stage fire is defined by the regulation as: "a fire which is in the initial or beginning stage and 

which can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, Class II standpipe or small hose systems without the need for protective clothing or 

breathing apparatus. 

It is universally recognized that conditions present during an advanced Interior structural fire create an IDLH. The Fire Brigade standard does not directly 

address the minimum number of fire fighters required when engaged in operations presenting an IDLH atmosphere. Regarding the use or SCBA's in IDLH 

atmospheres, paragraph 1910.156(f)(1)(i) does refer to the Respiratory protection standard, 1910.134, which has been discussed earlier. 

APPLICATION OF RELEVANT NFPA STANDARDS

Two national consensus standards are relevant to the issue of fire fighter safety and provide further detailed requirements for the industry. The first standard is 

NFPA 1500-1992, entitled Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program. It has an interim amendment (attached) that states at 6-4.1.1: "At 

least four members shall be assembled before initiating interior fire fighting operations at a working structural fire." Working structural fire is defined in section 

1-5 as follows: Any fire that requires the use of a 1 and 1/2 inch or larger fire attack hose line and that also requires tee use of self-contained breathing 

apparatus for members entering the hazardous area." in reality the term means the same thing as the OSHA term interior structural fire fighting. Consequently, 

four persons, two in and two out, each with protective clothing and respiratory protection are essential for the safety of those performing this work inside a 

structure. 

In addition to this interim amendment, NFPA 1500 has other relevant criteria found in requirements 6-4.3 and 6-4.4. In 6-4.3 the standard requires members 

operating inside hazardous areas during emergency incidents to operate in teams of two or more. Team members operating within hazardous areas shall be in 

communication with each other through visual, audible, physical, safety guiderope, electronic means or other means to coordinate their activities. 

Section 6-4.4 further requires that in the initial stages of an incident, where only one team is operating in the hazardous area, at least one additional member 

shall be assigned to stand by outside the hazardous area where the team is operating. This standby member shall be responsible for maintaining constant 

awareness of those working in the hazardous area, their location, time of entry, functions, and identity. A second person (the incident commander) outside the 

hazard area is specified by Section 6-1 of the NFPA 1500. 

In summary, NFPA 1500, requires four fire fighters on the scene before performing interior structural fire fighting operations, and, when fire fighters or other 

personnel actually perform interior attack, they are to enter the hazardous area using teams of at least two members. 

The second applicable NFPA standard is NFPA 600-1992, Standard on Industrial Fire Brigades (attached) Chapter 5 of this standard entitled, "Fire Brigades 

That Perform Interior Structural Fire Fighting Only," paragraph 5-3.5, specifies requirements for the number of members to be involved at the scene. 

Requirements in 5-3.5 are almost exactly the same as those in Sections 6-4.3 and 6-4.4 of NFPA 1500. 

Additionally, NFPA 600 and NFPA 1500 both require a fire officer to be the incident manager. This NFPA requirement, along with the other requirements 

discussed above, results in a minimum of four members on the scene before beginning to fight interior structural fires: two inside as a team, operating in the 

hazardous area; two outside the hazardous area, where one is standing by and another may be performing another function, such as managing the incident, as 

long as its performance does not interfere with the second outside person's ability to assist in the event of an emergency. This standard does not address 

the number of persons necessary to staff a fire apparatus leaving a station before on-scene evaluation has occurred. That is a matter to be 

determined by each local fire fighting unit.

APPLICATION OF THE GENERAL DUTY CLAUSE

Occupational exposure to fire is a well-recognized serious hazard and feasible abatement methods exist. Therefore, application of Section 5(a)(1) may be 

warranted in some circumstances. Any citation or Section 5(a)(1) must meet the requirements outlined in the Field Inspection Reference Manual (FIRM), 

Chapter III, and may be issued where there is a hazard which cannot be abated by compliance with a specific OSHA standard. 

Because OSHA's Fire Brigade standard does not directly specify the number of fire fighters who can safely perform certain fire fighting operations, the NFPA 

national consensus standards serve as guidance as to what is generally recognized as hazardous in the industry. The two NFPA standards referred to above 

explicitly address the number of persons to be involved when performing interior structural fire fighting operations. The requirements contained in these NFPA 

standards do not apply to exterior fire fighting or to other fire fighting activities not involving IDLH conditions. Therefore, a citation for violation of the General 

Duty Clause shall be issued when it is documented that only one person conducted interior structural fire fighting operations or when less than two persons 

were standing by when interior structural fire fighting operations were being conducted. A Section 5(a)(1) citation may not be issued for incipient stage interior 

fires or for exterior fire fighting operations conducted during advanced interior structural fires. 

STATE PLANS

Regional Administrators shall explain the content of this memorandum to the State designees as requested. States are strongly encouraged to adopt an 

identical or at least as effective interpretation of the standards. As indicated in STP 2-2.8B, Fire Protection, because of the unique nature of fire fighting 

employment in the public sector, a State may develop alternate standards for State and local government employees as long as the program provides 

protection equivalent to that provided private sector employees. If the State develops a separate public sector standard, it must be submitted within 30 days of 

promulgation in accordance with STP 2-1.117. 

Federal OSHA does not have direct jurisdiction over State and local government employees. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Act allows States to 

administer their own occupational safety and health programs under plans approved and monitored by Federal OSHA. States with approved occupational safety 

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and health State plans must adopt standards which are at least as effective as Federal OSHA standards and must provide coverage for State and local 

government employees as effective as that provided to private sector employees. (In states without OSHA approved plans, the Federal workplace protection 

provided to public sector employees would be under the Environmental Protection Agency hazardous waste operations (HAZWOPER) regulation (40 CFR Part 

311); States may also enforce their own laws and regulations covering the public sector. 

This guidance supersedes any previously provided on the issue. Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Tom Galassi at (202) 219-8036. 

Attachments 

SUMMARY REQUIREMENTS FOR RESPONSE TO IDLH OR POTENTIAL IDLH ATMOSPHERES USING SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS

◾ The HAZWOPER standard requires the use of the buddy system with standby personnel for emergency response operations involving the release of 

hazardous substance(s) producing IDLH conditions for employees responding. The regulation specifies a minimum of four personnel, two as a team in 

the buddy system and two standby back-up personnel, to conduct operations in hazardous areas safely.

◾ The use of SCBAs in IDLH atmospheres for circumstances not covered by HAZWOPER is covered by the Respiratory Protection standard which requires two 

standby personnel to be present outside the IDLH hazard area. Failure to have two standby persons for a known, existing IDLH, e.g., an interior 

structural fire, would be a violation of 1910.134(e)(3)(ii).

[This document was edited on 04/01/99 to strike information that no longer reflects current OSHA policy.]

◾ The Fire Brigade standard covers employers whose employees perform interior attack on interior structural fires and references the Respiratory Protection 

standard's requirements above.

◾ The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recognizes that fire fighters must operate in teams of two or more when conducting interior structural fire 

fighting operations; failure to respond with teams of two or more would be a violation of the General Duty clause.

◾ The Respiratory Protection standard and industry practice (as codified through the NFPA standards) require that a minimum of four fire fighters be involved 

in emergency operations during interior structural fire fighting. Two act as a team in the hazard area, and two stand by outside the hazardous area to 

monitor the operation and provide assistance should a rescue be necessary.

◾ OSHA regulations and NFPA standards specifically require communication between members of the team. Fire fighters working in teams of two or more 

(buddy system) in hazardous areas (IDLH atmospheres) are required to maintain communications (voice, visual contact, or tethering with a signal line). 

Radios or other means of electronic contact shall not be substituted for direct visual contact between employees within the individual team in the danger 

area.

◾ One of the individuals outside of the hazard area may be assigned more than one role, such as the incident commander in charge of the emergency or 

operator or fire apparatus, where it does not jeopardize worker safety and health.

◾ Incipient fires, which do not create IDLH atmospheres or require the use of SCBA's or fire fighting activities conducted from outside a structure are not 

addressed by this standard interpretation.

[Corrected 11/30/2006]

○ Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents

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