1910.1200(h)(2): Hazard Communication Information for Employees
Employers must inform employees of the hazard communication requirements, any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present, and where the written hazard communication program, the list of hazardous chemicals and the safety data sheets are kept and available.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1200(h)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 272 times in the last 3 years, in 267 inspections, with $228,900 in current penalties.
- Most citations: WI (36), OR (28), PA (21).
- Related part: 1910.1200(h) Employee information and training (6,641 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1200(h)(2) ("Information") is one requirement inside 1910.1200 Hazard communication, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 3 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
(2) Information. Employees shall be informed of: 272 citations
(i) The requirements of this section; Open (h)(2)(i) 21 citations
(ii) Any operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present; and, Open (h)(2)(ii) 35 citations
(iii) The location and availability of the written hazard communication program, including the required list(s) of hazardous chemicals, and safety data sheets required by this section. Open (h)(2)(iii) 157 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1200.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 99 |
| 2025 | 81 |
| 2026 | 80 |
Top states: WI (36), OR (28), PA (21), VA (19), TN (17)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CUISINE SOLUTIONS INC. | STERLING, VA | $15,875 |
| SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC. | OXFORD, OH | $14,188 |
| RFX2026XAH685X0017 - DANA CONTAINER, INC. | PHOENIX, AZ | $11,823 |
| DARTMOUTH COLLEGE | HANOVER, NH | $9,458 |
| MICHAELS STORES, INC. | WESTERLY, RI | $9,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1200(h)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Applicability of OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard for truck drivers hauling waste products that are exempt by EPA (2014-12-23)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1200(h) Employee information and training 6,641 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(1) 5,521 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(3) Training 815 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(3)(iv) 195 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(3)(ii) 173 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(2)(iii) 157 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(3)(iii) 143 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(3)(i) 61 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(2)(ii) 35 citations
- 1910.1200(h)(2)(i) 21 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
What must employees be told under hazard communication?
The requirements of the section, operations in their work area with hazardous chemicals, and where the written program, chemical list and safety data sheets are.
Do workers need to know where safety data sheets are kept?
Yes. Employees must be informed of the location and availability of the safety data sheets.
Does this cover only chemicals in my own work area?
The rule requires informing employees of operations in their work area where hazardous chemicals are present.
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.