1910.1200(h): HazCom employee information and training
Employers must give workers effective information and training on the hazardous chemicals in their work area when they are first assigned and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced. Workers must be told what the standard requires, where hazardous chemicals are used in their area, and where to find the written program, chemical list and safety data sheets. Training must cover how to detect a release, the physical and health hazards of the chemicals, the protective measures and procedures to use, and how to read labels and safety data sheets.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1200(h) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 6,641 times in the last 3 years, in 6,411 inspections, with $5,717,513 in current penalties.
- 52 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (715), TN (512), MN (415).
- Related part: 1910.1200(h)(1) (5,521 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1200(h) ("Employee information and training") is one requirement inside 1910.1200 Hazard communication, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 10 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
(h) Employee information and training. 6,641 citations
(1) Employers shall provide employees with effective information and training on hazardous chemicals in their work area at the time of their initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not previously been trained about is introduced into their work area. Information and training may be designed to cover categories of hazards (e.g., flammability, carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals. Chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and safety data sheets. Open (h)(1) 5,521 citations
(2) Information. Employees shall be informed of: Open (h)(2) 272 citations
(i) The requirements of this section; Open (h)(2)(i) 21 citations
(ii) Any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present; and, Open (h)(2)(ii) 35 citations
(iii) The location and availability of the written hazard communication program, including the required list(s) of hazardous chemicals, and safety data sheets required by this section. Open (h)(2)(iii) 157 citations
(3) Training. Employee training shall include at least: Open (h)(3) 815 citations
(i) Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work area (such as monitoring conducted by the employer, continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals when being released, etc.); Open (h)(3)(i) 61 citations
(ii) The physical, health, simple asphyxiation, combustible dust, and pyrophoric gas hazards, as well as hazards not otherwise classified, of the chemicals in the work area; Open (h)(3)(ii) 173 citations
(iii) The measures employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards, including specific procedures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used; and, Open (h)(3)(iii) 143 citations
(iv) The details of the hazard communication program developed by the employer, including an explanation of the labels received on shipped containers and the workplace labeling system used by their employer; the safety data sheet, including the order of information and how employees can obtain and use the appropriate hazard information. Open (h)(3)(iv) 195 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1200.
Injuries linked to this rule
52 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.1200(h).
An employee was fabricating a part for an agricultural wagon using a drill presswhen it fell onto his head, causing multiple fatal injuries to the employee.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 441 |
| 2024 | 2,443 |
| 2025 | 2,228 |
| 2026 | 1,529 |
Top states: MD (715), TN (512), MN (415), IL (373), MI (347)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DOLLAR TREE, INC. | MALTA, NY | $113,484 |
| KENRIC STEEL, LLC | MILLVILLE, NJ | $82,964 |
| TRADER JOE'S EAST, INC. | FREEHOLD, NJ | $80,668 |
| GHM GIRI HOTEL MANAGEMENT | FREEPORT, ME | $33,480 |
| FISKE INCORPORATED | KEENESBURG, CO | $33,100 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1200(h), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Hazard communication requirements for commercial ink cartridges (2015-03-27)
- Applicability of OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard for truck drivers hauling waste products that are exempt by EPA (2014-12-23)
- Interim Guidance on Enforcement of the revised Hazard Communication Standard (2013-12-02)
- Applicability of the Hazard Communication standard to DEF tank operations. (2011-05-12)
- OSHA Training Standards Policy Statements (2010-04-28)
- Application of OSHA PEL for nitric oxide as 8-hr TWA to pregnant employees. (2009-05-19)
- Requirements of the HCS and the employer's ability to rely on a manufacturer's hazard determination. (2008-12-22)
- Training programs for the Control of Hazardous Energy (LOTO) and for the Hazard Communication standard are not satisfied solely by merely providing employees written documentation. (2005-10-24)
- Training requirements for maintenance of housekeeping personnel. (1992-08-12)
- Emergency response in the trucking industry (1991-04-03)
- HCP requirements for employers at multi-employer worksites (1991-01-30)
- Hazard Communication Standard. (1990-01-22)
- Procedures a demolition and salvage constructor could employ in lieu of providing material safety data sheets for specific metals. (1990-01-09)
- OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. (1989-09-07)
- Hospital technicians required to attend HCS training and a clarification of coverage of pharmaceuticals under the HCS. (1989-09-01)
- HCS training for employees contracted to jobs working under the supervision of another employer. (1988-06-16)
- Employers are responsible for training new employees on the HCS (1988-05-11)
- Retraining employees who have been previously trained by another employer. (1988-05-06)
- The employer must provide the 1910.1200 verbal training in a language that is comprehensible. (1988-04-10)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1200(h)(1) 5,521 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(3) Training 815 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(2) Information 272 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(3)(iv) 195 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii) 173 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(2)(iii) 157 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(3)(iii) 143 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(3)(i) 61 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(2)(ii) 35 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(2)(i) 21 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
When is HazCom training required?
At the time of initial assignment, and whenever a new chemical hazard the employees have not been trained on is introduced into their work area.
Do we have to train on every chemical one by one?
No. Training may cover categories of hazards (for example flammability or carcinogenicity) or specific chemicals, but chemical-specific information must always be available through labels and safety data sheets.
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.