1910.1200(f)(10): Readable Workplace Chemical Labels
Employers must make sure workplace labels or other warnings are legible, in English, and prominently displayed on the container or readily available in the work area throughout each shift. Employers with workers who speak other languages may add their language, as long as English is also shown.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1200(f)(10) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 112 times in the last 3 years, in 112 inspections, with $105,792 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: CA (15), TN (11), MS (11).
- Related part: 1910.1200(f) Labels and other forms of warning (2,653 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1200(f)(10) is one requirement inside 1910.1200 Hazard communication, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). 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
(10) The employer shall ensure that workplace labels or other forms of warning are legible, in English, and prominently displayed on the container, or readily available in the work area throughout each work shift. Employers having employees who speak other languages may add the information in their language to the material presented, as long as the information is presented in English as well. 112 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1200.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.1200(f)(10).
At 8:51 a.m. on July 12, 2024, an employee was assisting with loading an oversized door frame onto the flatbed of a truck. The employee was standing on the forks of a forklift, holding an oversized French door frame to stabilize it.The forklift was driven…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 47 |
| 2025 | 32 |
| 2026 | 22 |
Top states: CA (15), TN (11), MS (11), NJ (10), VA (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| LOVES TRAVEL STOP & COUNTRY STORES | HARRISONVILLE, MO | $9,457 |
| NORRIS ASPHALT PAVING CO. | HARVEY, IA | $7,255 |
| CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS | PORT NORRIS, NJ | $7,000 |
| TOWNSHIP OF HAMILTON - WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PLANT | HAMILTON, NJ | $7,000 |
| TOWNSHIP OF HAMILTON - WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PLANT | TRENTON, NJ | $7,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1200(f)(10), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1200(f)(10).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1200(f) Labels and other forms of warning 2,653 citations
- 1910.1200(f)(6) 2,464 citations
- 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii) 1,516 citations
- 1910.1200(f)(6)(i) 196 citations
- 1910.1200(f)(7) 25 citations
- 1910.1200(f)(8) 18 citations
- 1910.1200(f)(1) Labels on shipped containers 13 citations
- 1910.1200(f)(5) Transportation 12 citations
- 1910.1200(f)(9) 6 citations
- 1910.1200(f)(1)(iv) 2 citations
- 1910.1200(f)(1)(vi) 2 citations
- 1910.1200(f)(5)(ii) 1 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
What language must workplace labels be in?
English; other languages may be added as long as the information is also in English.
Where must labels be?
Prominently displayed on the container or readily available in the work area throughout each work shift.
What if a label is faded?
Labels must be legible, so a faded or unreadable label does not meet the rule.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1200 (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.