1910.1200(g)(8): Keeping safety data sheets accessible
Employers must keep a copy of the required safety data sheet for each hazardous chemical in the workplace, and make sure SDSs are readily accessible to employees in their work areas during every shift. Electronic access or other alternatives to paper are allowed as long as they do not create any barrier to immediate employee access.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1200(g)(8) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 2,478 times in the last 3 years, in 2,478 inspections, with $1,359,840 in current penalties.
- 31 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: OR (216), NC (177), TN (172).
- 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)(8) 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
(8) The employer shall maintain in the workplace copies of the required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical, and shall ensure that they are readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in their work area(s). (Electronic access and other alternatives to maintaining paper copies of the safety data sheets are permitted as long as no barriers to immediate employee access in each workplace are created by such options.) 2,478 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1200.
Injuries linked to this rule
31 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.1200(g)(8).
At 8:34 a.m. on February 20, 2025, Employee #1 and coworkers were closing a steel door mounted on a railing system with track wheels. While manually adjusting the door, one of the track wheels came off the rail, causing the door to jackknife. Three employees…
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 | 172 |
| 2024 | 872 |
| 2025 | 830 |
| 2026 | 604 |
Top states: OR (216), NC (177), TN (172), VA (136), NY (129)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RALEY'S | RENO, NV | $47,292 |
| RFX2025XTN976X0045 - MERCURY SYSTEMS, INC. | PHOENIX, AZ | $16,550 |
| THE KROGER CO. | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $15,211 |
| EFX INDUSTRIAL, LLC | BAYTOWN, TX | $14,895 |
| CAVCO INDUSTRIES INC. | AUSTIN, TX | $13,828 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1200(g)(8), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Hazard communication effective dates and SDSs (2015-07-27)
- Applicability of the Hazard Communication standard to DEF tank operations. (2011-05-12)
- Employee and employee representative access to MSDS; accompanying CSHOs on inspections. (2003-03-07)
- Employee access to MSDSs required by 1910.1200 vs. 1910.1020. (1999-12-07)
- Using the telephone to back-up eletronic access to MSDSs. (1998-10-13)
- Manufacturers' use of the Internet for distribution of MSDSs to downstream users. (1997-02-20)
- Material Safety Data Sheets. (1997-01-30)
- Availability of MSDSs on Construction Sites (1990-05-16)
- Maintaining MSDSs on a computer data base. (1986-01-13)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1200(g) Safety data sheets 4,329 citations
- 1910.1200(g)(1) 1,780 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can we keep SDSs on a computer or app?
Yes, as long as electronic access does not create any barriers to immediate employee access in each workplace.
Do night-shift workers need SDS access?
Yes. SDSs must be readily accessible during each work shift to employees in their work areas.
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.