AFI 91-301: A Complete Guide to AFOSH Program Safety Requirements

Table of Contents#

1. What Is AFI 91-301, and Who Does It Apply To?
2. Core Objectives of the AFI 91-301 AFOSH Program
3. Key Mandatory Safety Requirements Outlined in AFI 91-301
4. Common AFI 91-301 Compliance Pitfalls to Avoid
5. Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing AFI 91-301 Requirements
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
7. Final Takeaways
8. References

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What Is AFI 91-301, and Who Does It Apply To?#

AFI 91-301 was the 91-series (safety-focused) Air Force Instruction that standardized occupational safety and health rules for all entities operating under U.S. Air Force (USAF) jurisdiction. Published on June 1, 1996, the instruction was titled "Air Force Occupational and Environmental Safety, Fire Protection, and Health (AFOSH) Program" and served as the primary regulatory framework for occupational safety for many years.

Over time, the Air Force consolidated its safety regulations. AFI 91-301 was replaced by AFI 91-202 ("The US Air Force Mishap Prevention Program"), which has since been redesignated as DAFI 91-202 (Department of the Air Force Instruction 91-202). The detailed occupational safety standards previously spread across multiple AFOSH standards are now consolidated in DAFMAN 91-203 (Department of the Air Force Manual 91-203, "Occupational Safety and Health"), which implements DAFPD 91-2 and aligns with Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and OSHA requirements.

The current safety framework applies to all personnel working on Air Force or Space Force property or supporting official missions, including:

• Active duty USAF/USSF, Air National Guard (ANG), and Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) personnel
• Full-time and part-time civilian USAF/USSF employees
• On-base contractors, subcontractors, and vendor staff
• Visitors accessing restricted work zones (e.g., flight lines, weapons storage areas, industrial facilities)

The only allowed exceptions are for active combat operations where compliance would impede immediate mission success; even in these cases, leaders are required to implement alternative risk mitigation measures to reduce personnel exposure to harm.

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Core Objectives of the AFI 91-301 AFOSH Program#

AFI 91-301 and its successor regulations were developed to achieve clear, measurable goals for all USAF/USSF units:

1. Reduce preventable losses: Cut work-related injuries, illnesses, and equipment damage mishaps through proactive risk management and hazard elimination.
2. Standardize protocols: Eliminate inconsistent safety rules across global installations, regardless of mission set (e.g., flight operations, cyber, logistics, medical).
3. Align with federal rules: Meet all OSHA and DoD occupational safety requirements to avoid federal fines and ensure cross-agency compliance.
4. Empower personnel: Establish a non-punitive hazard reporting culture where all staff can report risks without fear of retaliation.
5. Minimize mission downtime: Reduce unplanned work stoppages caused by avoidable safety incidents that delay critical mission delivery.

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Key Mandatory Safety Requirements Outlined in AFI 91-301#

While AFI 91-301 has been superseded, many of its core requirements remain in effect under DAFMAN 91-203 and DAFI 91-202. The following requirements apply to all units:

3.1 Hazard Identification and Reporting#

• Unit Safety Representatives (USRs) must conduct regular work area inspections to identify unreported risks.
• All personnel can submit hazard reports via the Air Force Safety Automated System (AFSAS) or the newer SAFEREP digital reporting tool.
• Units must provide a formal response to all reported hazards in a timely manner.
• Work areas with imminent safety risks (e.g., exposed electrical wiring, unlabeled toxic materials) must be closed immediately until the hazard is resolved.

3.2 Training Requirements#

• All new personnel (military, civilian, contractor) must complete an occupational safety and health orientation within their initial onboarding period.
• Job-specific safety training (e.g., fall protection for flight line crews, radiation safety for medical staff) is required annually for all personnel working in high-risk roles.
• Supervisors must complete safety management training to oversee unit compliance.
• Contractors must provide written proof of equivalent safety training before being granted base access.

3.3 Mishap Investigation and Reporting#

• Class A mishaps (fatalities, permanent total disability, or significant equipment damage) must be reported to the Air Force Safety Center (AFSEC) within required timeframes.
• All other mishaps and near-miss incidents must be reported to unit safety staff within 24 hours.
• A formal root cause analysis (RCA) is required for all mishaps, with corrective actions fully implemented within established timelines.

3.4 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements#

• Units must provide all required PPE (e.g., hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, chemical-resistant gloves) free of charge to personnel working in hazardous areas.
• PPE must be inspected for damage before each use, with formal adequacy audits conducted by unit safety staff.
• Damaged PPE must be disposed of per federal hazardous waste rules if it has been exposed to toxic or radioactive materials.

3.5 Specialized Program Requirements#

DAFMAN 91-203 and related directives outline tailored rules for high-risk work streams, including:

• Confined space entry and lockout/tagout (LOTO) protocols for industrial staff
• Foreign Object Damage (FOD) prevention rules for flight line personnel
• Weapons handling and explosives safety for munitions teams
• Ergonomic safety requirements for office and remote civilian staff
• Heat and cold injury prevention for outdoor personnel

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Common AFI 91-301 Compliance Pitfalls to Avoid#

Even well-intentioned units often fail safety audits due to avoidable gaps:

1. Unverified contractor compliance: Many units assume contractors handle their own safety training, but DAFMAN 91-203 holds the host unit responsible for verifying contractor alignment with all requirements.
2. Delayed hazard response: Missing required response windows for reported hazards leads to automatic audit findings and increased mishap risk.
3. Missing training documentation: Per Air Force rules, any safety training that is not formally documented in AFSAS is considered incomplete, even if personnel completed the course.
4. Ignoring near-miss reports: Failing to document and investigate near-miss incidents leads to recurring unaddressed risks that often escalate to serious mishaps over time.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing AFI 91-301 Requirements#

Use this actionable framework to build or update your unit's AFOSH program based on current regulations:

1. Appoint a dedicated AFOSH Program Manager: Assign a full-time or part-time staff member trained on DAFMAN 91-203 and DAFI 91-202 requirements with direct access to unit leadership to escalate safety risks.
2. Conduct a baseline compliance audit: Compare your unit's existing safety practices to DAFMAN 91-203 requirements to identify gaps, prioritizing risks by severity of potential harm.
3. Develop a corrective action plan: Assign owners and clear deadlines for each gap fix, with quarterly check-ins to track progress.
4. Roll out standardized training: Use free, pre-built Air Force Safety Center (AFSEC) training modules to ensure consistency across all personnel, including contractors and temporary staff.
5. Set up recurring monitoring: Schedule regular work area inspections, quarterly unit safety meetings, and annual full-program compliance audits.
6. Build a positive safety culture: Recognize personnel who identify critical hazards, and communicate how reported risks are resolved to encourage ongoing participation.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)#

Q: Does the current safety framework apply to remote Air Force civilian employees?#

A: Yes, current Department of the Air Force safety directives include ergonomic and home office safety requirements for all remote USAF/USSF civilian personnel.

Q: What happens if a unit fails a safety compliance audit?#

A: Units receive a formal corrective action notice and are required to resolve all gaps within established timelines. Repeated non-compliance can lead to leadership disciplinary action, reduced mission funding, or temporary suspension of high-risk operations.

Q: Can safety requirements be waived?#

A: Only the installation commander or higher authority can approve waivers, and only after a formal risk assessment confirms the waiver does not expose personnel to undue harm. All waivers must be reviewed for renewal at established intervals.

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Final Takeaways#

The safety framework established by AFI 91-301 and now carried forward through DAFI 91-202 and DAFMAN 91-203 is not just a regulatory box-ticking exercise: it is a framework designed to protect the Air Force and Space Force's most valuable assets: its personnel. Investing time and resources into full compliance reduces long-term costs, minimizes mission downtime, and creates a safer work environment for everyone supporting USAF/USSF missions. Units should ensure they are referencing the current regulations—DAFI 91-202 and DAFMAN 91-203—rather than the superseded AFI 91-301.

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References#

1. Department of the Air Force. (1996). AFI 91-301: Air Force Occupational and Environmental Safety, Fire Protection, and Health (AFOSH) Program. Washington, DC: Headquarters U.S. Air Force. [Superseded by DAFI 91-202 and DAFMAN 91-203]
2. Department of the Air Force. (2020). DAFI 91-202: The US Air Force Mishap Prevention Program. Washington, DC: Headquarters U.S. Air Force. Retrieved from https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_se/publication/dafi91-202/dafi91-202.pdf
3. Department of the Air Force. (2023). DAFMAN 91-203: Occupational Safety and Health. Washington, DC: Headquarters U.S. Air Force. Retrieved from https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_se/publication/dafman91-203/dafman91-203.pdf
4. U.S. Air Force Safety Center. (2025). Occupational Safety Division Resources and Training. Retrieved from https://www.safety.af.mil/Divisions/Occupational-Safety-Division/
5. U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2007). OSHA Strategic Partnership Program: Air Force Agreement. Retrieved from https://obis.osha.gov/dcsp/partnerships/national/air_force/586_air_force_20070829.html