1910.119(d): Process Safety Information
Before doing any process hazard analysis, employers covered by the process safety management standard must compile written process safety information. It must cover the hazards of the highly hazardous chemicals (such as toxicity, exposure limits, reactivity, corrosivity and stability), the technology of the process (such as a flow diagram, chemistry, maximum inventory and safe operating limits), and the equipment in the process.
Key takeaways
- 1910.119(d) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 190 times in the last 3 years, in 106 inspections, with $1,858,945 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (21), PA (20), WI (16).
- Related part: 1910.119(d)(3) Information pertaining to the equipment in the process (135 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.119(d) ("Process safety information") is one requirement inside 1910.119 Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 28 sub-paragraphs. 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
(d) Process safety information. In accordance with the schedule set forth in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the employer shall complete a compilation of written process safety information before conducting any process hazard analysis required by the standard. The compilation of written process safety information is to enable the employer and the employees involved in operating the process to identify and understand the hazards posed by those processes involving highly hazardous chemicals. This process safety information shall include information pertaining to the hazards of the highly hazardous chemicals used or produced by the process, information pertaining to the technology of the process, and information pertaining to the equipment in the process. 190 citations
(1) Information pertaining to the hazards of the highly hazardous chemicals in the process. This information shall consist of at least the following: 4 citations
(i) Toxicity information; 1 citations
(ii) Permissible exposure limits;
(iii) Physical data; 1 citations
(iv) Reactivity data;
(v) Corrosivity data;
(vi) Thermal and chemical stability data; and
(vii) Hazardous effects of inadvertent mixing of different materials that could foreseeably occur.
Safety data sheets meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200(g) may be used to comply with this requirement to the extent they contain the information required by this subparagraph.
(2) Information pertaining to the technology of the process. Open (d)(2) 38 citations
(i) Information concerning the technology of the process shall include at least the following: Open (d)(2)(i) 36 citations
(A) A block flow diagram or simplified process flow diagram (see appendix B to this section); 6 citations
(B) Process chemistry; 2 citations
(C) Maximum intended inventory; 7 citations
(D) Safe upper and lower limits for such items as temperatures, pressures, flows or compositions; and, 9 citations
(E) An evaluation of the consequences of deviations, including those affecting the safety and health of employees. 9 citations
(ii) Where the original technical information no longer exists, such information may be developed in conjunction with the process hazard analysis in sufficient detail to support the analysis.
(3) Information pertaining to the equipment in the process. Open (d)(3) 135 citations
(i) Information pertaining to the equipment in the process shall include: Open (d)(3)(i) 83 citations
(A) Materials of construction; 3 citations
(B) Piping and instrument diagrams (P&ID's); Open (d)(3)(i)(b) 30 citations
(C) Electrical classification; 5 citations
(D) Relief system design and design basis; Open (d)(3)(i)(d) 14 citations
(E) Ventilation system design; 8 citations
(F) Design codes and standards employed; 5 citations
(G) Material and energy balances for processes built after May 26, 1992; and,
(H) Safety systems (e.g. interlocks, detection or suppression systems). 8 citations
(ii) The employer shall document that equipment complies with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices. Open (d)(3)(ii) 48 citations
(iii) For existing equipment designed and constructed in accordance with codes, standards, or practices that are no longer in general use, the employer shall determine and document that the equipment is designed, maintained, inspected, tested, and operating in a safe manner. Open (d)(3)(iii) 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.119.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.119(d).
At 12:00 p.m. on May 1, 2024, an explosion occurred at a production line, where multiple employees were working. Four employees were hospitalized to treat burnsand toxic gas inhalation, while six others were treated on-site without hospitalization for similar injuries.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 70 |
| 2025 | 66 |
| 2026 | 46 |
Top states: TX (21), PA (20), WI (16), TN (15), IL (15)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ACCURATE ENERGETIC SYSTEMS, LLC | MC EWEN, TN | $511,000 |
| POLYCARBON INDUSTRIES, INC./SEQENS SAS | NEWBURYPORT, MA | $171,876 |
| HANOVER FOODS CORPORATION | CENTRE HALL, PA | $100,000 |
| INTERTAPE POLYMER CORP | MARYSVILLE, MI | $50,400 |
| AMERICAN NITRILE OPERATIONS, LLC. | GROVE CITY, OH | $47,289 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.119(d), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- PSM and Aerosol (Flammable Gas) Containers Stored in Warehouses/Distribution Centers (2019-06-28)
- "Applicability of the PSM standard's mechanical intergrity requirements to refinery structures." (2010-02-01)
- PSM compliance for ammonia refrigeration systems. (2006-07-12)
- Process safety information for ventilation system design. (2003-12-22)
- Determination of safety for existing process equipment is required prior to start-up. (2001-01-30)
- Compliance with PSM and ANSI/ISA-S84.01 for safety instrumented systems (2000-03-23)
- Recalculating pressure vessel design; codes "no longer in use." (1998-03-05)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.119(d)(3) Information pertaining to the equipment in the process 135 citations
- 1910.119(d)(3)(i) 83 citations
- 1910.119(d)(3)(ii) 48 citations
- 1910.119(d)(2) Information pertaining to the technology of the process 38 citations
- 1910.119(d)(2)(i) 36 citations
- 1910.119(d)(3)(i)(B) 30 citations
- 1910.119(d)(3)(i)(D) 14 citations
- 1910.119(d)(3)(iii) 2 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
When must process safety information be compiled?
Before conducting any process hazard analysis required by the standard, on the schedule in paragraph (e)(1).
Can safety data sheets be used?
Yes, SDSs meeting 1910.1200(g) may be used to the extent they contain the required chemical hazard information.
What process technology information is required?
At least a block or simplified process flow diagram, process chemistry, maximum intended inventory, safe upper and lower limits, and an evaluation of the consequences of deviations.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.119 (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 2026-10-21
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.