1910.119(d)(3): Process Equipment Information for PSM
Employers covered by process safety management must compile information on process equipment, including materials of construction, P&IDs, electrical classification, relief, ventilation and safety system design, design codes, and material and energy balances for processes built after May 26, 1992. They must document that equipment follows good engineering practices, and that older equipment built to outdated codes is safe.
Key takeaways
- 1910.119(d)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 135 times in the last 3 years, in 90 inspections, with $1,074,367 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TX (19), PA (13), WI (12).
- Related part: 1910.119(d) Process safety information (190 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.119(d)(3) ("Information pertaining to the equipment in the process") is one requirement inside 1910.119 Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 11 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
(3) Information pertaining to the equipment in the process. 135 citations
(i) Information pertaining to the equipment in the process shall include: Open (d)(3)(i) 83 citations
(A) Materials of construction; 3 citations
(B) Piping and instrument diagrams (P&ID's); Open (d)(3)(i)(b) 30 citations
(C) Electrical classification; 5 citations
(D) Relief system design and design basis; Open (d)(3)(i)(d) 14 citations
(E) Ventilation system design; 8 citations
(F) Design codes and standards employed; 5 citations
(G) Material and energy balances for processes built after May 26, 1992; and,
(H) Safety systems (e.g. interlocks, detection or suppression systems). 8 citations
(ii) The employer shall document that equipment complies with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices. Open (d)(3)(ii) 48 citations
(iii) For existing equipment designed and constructed in accordance with codes, standards, or practices that are no longer in general use, the employer shall determine and document that the equipment is designed, maintained, inspected, tested, and operating in a safe manner. Open (d)(3)(iii) 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.119.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 55 |
| 2025 | 48 |
| 2026 | 28 |
Top states: TX (19), PA (13), WI (12), IL (10), OH (10)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ACCURATE ENERGETIC SYSTEMS, LLC | MC EWEN, TN | $224,000 |
| INTERTAPE POLYMER CORP | MARYSVILLE, MI | $44,100 |
| AMERICAN NITRILE OPERATIONS, LLC. | GROVE CITY, OH | $35,466 |
| BCP INGREDIENTS, INC. | VERONA, MO | $31,250 |
| ARC AUTOMOTIVE, INC. | HARTSVILLE, TN | $30,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.119(d)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- PSM and Aerosol (Flammable Gas) Containers Stored in Warehouses/Distribution Centers (2019-06-28)
- "Applicability of the PSM standard's mechanical intergrity requirements to refinery structures." (2010-02-01)
- PSM compliance for ammonia refrigeration systems. (2006-07-12)
- Process safety information for ventilation system design. (2003-12-22)
- Determination of safety for existing process equipment is required prior to start-up. (2001-01-30)
- Compliance with PSM and ANSI/ISA-S84.01 for safety instrumented systems (2000-03-23)
- Recalculating pressure vessel design; codes "no longer in use." (1998-03-05)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.119(d) Process safety information 190 citations
- 1910.119(d)(3)(i) 83 citations
- 1910.119(d)(3)(ii) 48 citations
- 1910.119(d)(2) Information pertaining to the technology of the process 38 citations
- 1910.119(d)(2)(i) 36 citations
- 1910.119(d)(3)(i)(B) 30 citations
- 1910.119(d)(3)(i)(D) 14 citations
- 1910.119(d)(3)(iii) 2 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What equipment information is required under PSM?
Materials of construction, P&IDs, electrical classification, relief system design, ventilation design, design codes and standards, material and energy balances for newer processes, and safety systems.
What about older equipment built to outdated codes?
The employer must determine and document that it is designed, maintained, inspected, tested and operating in a safe manner.
Which processes need material and energy balances?
Processes built after May 26, 1992.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.119 (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.