1910.141(g): Food and Drink Areas at Work
Where employers let workers eat or drink on site, no one may eat, drink or store food in a toilet room or any area exposed to a toxic material. Employers must provide easy-to-clean or disposable waste food containers, with tight covers unless sanitary without them, and empty them at least once each working day unless unused.
Key takeaways
- 1910.141(g) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 71 times in the last 3 years, in 67 inspections, with $112,157 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (10), NY (7), TN (7).
- Related part: 1910.141(g)(2) Eating and drinking areas (48 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.141(g) ("Consumption of food and beverages on the premises") is one requirement inside 1910.141 Sanitation, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). It includes 4 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
(g) Consumption of food and beverages on the premises — 71 citations
(1) Application. This paragraph shall apply only where employees are permitted to consume food or beverages, or both, on the premises.
(2) Eating and drinking areas. No employee shall be allowed to consume food or beverages in a toilet room nor in any area exposed to a toxic material. Open (g)(2) 48 citations
(3) Waste disposal containers. Receptacles constructed of smooth, corrosion resistant, easily cleanable, or disposable materials, shall be provided and used for the disposal of waste food. The number, size, and location of such receptacles shall encourage their use and not result in overfilling. They shall be emptied not less frequently than once each working day, unless unused, and shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Receptacles shall be provided with a solid tight-fitting cover unless sanitary conditions can be maintained without use of a cover. 4 citations
(4) Sanitary storage. No food or beverages shall be stored in toilet rooms or in an area exposed to a toxic material. Open (g)(4) 19 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.141.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 27 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 22 |
Top states: VA (10), NY (7), TN (7), PA (6), TX (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MARISCO LTD | KAPOLEI, HI | $10,427 |
| SMITH-MIDLAND CORPORATION | MIDLAND, VA | $10,220 |
| SUNBELT SOLOMON SERVICES, LLC | SOLOMON, KS | $9,457 |
| STRASBURG RAIL ROAD COMPANY | RONKS, PA | $7,661 |
| ACCURATE ENERGETIC SYSTEMS, LLC | MC EWEN, TN | $6,400 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.141(g), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Consuming hydrating liquids and solids in aluminum smelting facilities with beryllium below 0.1 percent (0.1%) by weight (2020-09-28)
- Consuming food and/or beverages in the same work area where known hazardous chemicals are used. (2009-12-03)
- Requirements for covered beverages at nurses' stations. (2006-05-17)
- Eating and drinking in a pharamacy. (1998-04-22)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.141(g)(2) Eating and drinking areas 48 citations
- 1910.141(g)(4) Sanitary storage 19 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
Can workers eat in a restroom?
No. No employee may eat or drink in a toilet room or in any area exposed to a toxic material.
How often must food waste containers be emptied?
Not less than once each working day, unless they were not used, and they must be kept clean and sanitary.
Can food be stored in a toilet room?
No. Food and beverages may not be stored in toilet rooms or in areas exposed to a toxic material.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.141 (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.