1910.1200(g)(1): Who must have safety data sheets
Chemical manufacturers and importers must obtain or develop a safety data sheet (SDS) for each hazardous chemical they produce or import, and every employer must have an SDS in the workplace for each hazardous chemical it uses.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1200(g)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 1,780 times in the last 3 years, in 1,779 inspections, with $893,559 in current penalties.
- 5 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (555), TN (199), CT (117).
- Related part: 1910.1200(g) Safety data sheets (4,329 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1200(g)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.1200 Hazard communication, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). 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) Chemical manufacturers and importers shall obtain or develop a safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical they produce or import. Employers shall have a safety data sheet in the workplace for each hazardous chemical which they use. 1,780 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1200.
Injuries linked to this rule
5 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.1200(g)(1).
At 11:30 a.m. on February 28, 2025, Employee #1 and Employee #2 and Coworker #1 and Coworker #2 , were applying CTS Cement Rapid Set Mortar Mix on an exposed fieldstone foundation wall to reinforce the deteriorating wall. The crew was working inside a trench…
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 | 113 |
| 2024 | 588 |
| 2025 | 667 |
| 2026 | 412 |
Top states: MD (555), TN (199), CT (117), NY (112), PR (78)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DANA CONTAINER, INC. | PAULSBORO, NJ | $70,000 |
| ACCURATE ENERGETIC SYSTEMS, LLC | MC EWEN, TN | $70,000 |
| WALGREENS OF PUERTO RICO INC. | MAYAGUEZ, PR | $14,187 |
| AGUSTIN ROJAS | WICHITA, KS | $12,767 |
| EARL T. WADHAMS, INC. | RENSSELAER, NY | $11,823 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1200(g)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Listing and disclosing Benzene as a human carcinogen on the label and SDS (2017-07-24)
- Separate SDSs and labels for dual components (2017-05-09)
- Safety data sheets for custom blend fertilizers (2016-02-25)
- Hazard communication effective dates and SDSs (2015-07-27)
- Use of multiple countries' information on labels of hazardous chemicals (2015-02-10)
- The requirement for single or multiple SDSs (2014-12-23)
- Alleged deficiencies contained on a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for a spray-on insulation product (the Icynene Insulation System). (2009-01-14)
- Requirements for manufacturers, who are no longer in business or have discontinued a product line, to provide MSDSs and product information. (2004-05-27)
- Material Safety Data Sheets. (1997-01-30)
- Hazard communication standard and pharmaceuticals (1994-01-03)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1200(g) Safety data sheets 4,329 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(8) 2,478 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(11) 22 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(10) 18 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(2) 16 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(9) 6 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(5) 4 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(7) 3 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(2)(ii) 2 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(6) 2 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(2)(i) 1 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(2)(iii) 1 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Do employers have to write their own SDSs?
Not usually. Manufacturers and importers obtain or develop them; employers must have an SDS in the workplace for each hazardous chemical they use.
What if we are missing an SDS?
An employer must have one in the workplace for each hazardous chemical it uses, so it needs to be obtained.
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.