1910.1450(h)(1): Lab Labels and Safety Data Sheets
Laboratory employers must make sure labels on incoming containers of hazardous chemicals are not removed or defaced, and must keep safety data sheets received with shipments readily accessible to laboratory employees.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1450(h)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $7,566 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: CT (6), TN (1), TX (1).
- Related part: 1910.1450(h) Hazard identification (10 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1450(h)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.1450 Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 2 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
(1) With respect to labels and safety data sheets: 10 citations
(i) Employers shall ensure that labels on incoming containers of hazardous chemicals are not removed or defaced. Open (h)(1)(i) 1 citations
(ii) Employers shall maintain any safety data sheets that are received with incoming shipments of hazardous chemicals, and ensure that they are readily accessible to laboratory employees. 9 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1450.
Export the list: 10 inspections cited 1910.1450(h)(1) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.1450(h)(1).
At 4:00 a.m. on September 14, 2024, Employee #1 was performing routine janitorial duties, including cleaning bathrooms, removing trash, and cleaning floors. The employee began the shift feeling unwell with a headache and upset stomach. As the day progressed, the symptoms worsened, and the employee…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: CT (6), TN (1), TX (1), NM (1), AZ (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RFX2026XLB058X0011 - ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY | TEMPE, AZ | $7,566 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE LLC | MOUNT JULIET, TN | $0 |
| MANLEY GAS TESTING INC | ODESSA, TX | $0 |
| NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY | LAS VEGAS, NM | $0 |
| TOWN OF WINCHESTER | WINSTED, CT | $0 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1450(h)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1450(h)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1450(h) Hazard identification 10 citations
- 1910.1450(h)(1)(i) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must happen to incoming labels?
They must not be removed or defaced.
What must employers do with SDSs?
Maintain the safety data sheets received with shipments and keep them readily accessible to laboratory employees.
Does this cover all lab chemicals?
It covers labels and SDSs on incoming containers and shipments of hazardous chemicals.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1450 (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 2026-11-06
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.