1910.1200(f)(5): Labeling Chemicals for Transportation
Chemical makers, importers and distributors must label shipped hazardous chemical containers in a way that does not conflict with DOT hazardous materials rules. Bulk shipment labels may be on the container, with shipping papers, or sent electronically if agreed, and a DOT pictogram on the container means the matching HCS pictogram is not required.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1200(f)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $0 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (4), NJ (3), MI (2).
- 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)(5) ("Transportation") is one requirement inside 1910.1200 Hazard communication, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 3 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
(5) Transportation. 12 citations
(i) Chemical manufacturers, importers, or distributors shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals leaving the workplace is labeled, tagged, or marked in accordance with this section in a manner which does not conflict with the requirements of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.) and regulations issued under that Act by the Department of Transportation (49 CFR subtitle B). Open (f)(5)(i) 1 citations
(ii) The label for bulk shipments of hazardous chemicals must be on the immediate container, transmitted with the shipping papers or the bills of lading, or, with the agreement of the receiving entity, transmitted by technological or electronic means so that it is immediately available to workers in printed form on the receiving end of shipment. Open (f)(5)(ii) 1 citations
(iii) Where a pictogram required by the Department of Transportation under title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations appears on a shipped container, the pictogram specified in appendix C.4 to this section for the same hazard is not required on the label.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1200.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: NY (4), NJ (3), MI (2), AZ (1), AL (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CPX2024XT3633X0141 - RINCON CLEANING SERVICES, LLC | TUCSON, AZ | $0 |
| DORSEY DUMPSTER | SAGINAW, MI | $0 |
| CNC ASSOCIATES NY INC | SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ | $0 |
| NYSOPWDD PHELPS IRA | PHELPS, NY | $0 |
| MARION CSD JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | MARION, NY | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1200(f)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- HCS 2012 labeling of refrigerant containers (2016-08-22)
- Safety data sheets for custom blend fertilizers (2016-02-25)
- Target organ labeling requirements for shipped containers. (1986-10-15)
- Applicability of the Hazard Communication standard to pesticides. (1986-05-01)
- Requirements for alternate warning methods, delays between filling and labeling a chemical container, and label identification of mixtures under HCS. (1984-09-25)
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)(10) 112 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)(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
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Frequently asked questions
Must HCS labels match DOT rules?
They must be applied in a manner that does not conflict with the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and DOT regulations.
Where can bulk shipment labels go?
On the immediate container, with the shipping papers or bills of lading, or electronically with the receiver's agreement.
Is the HCS pictogram needed if a DOT pictogram is present?
No, not for the same hazard.
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.