1910.141(g)(2): No Eating in Toilet Rooms or Toxic Areas
Employers must not allow employees to eat or drink in a toilet room or in any area exposed to a toxic material.
Key takeaways
- 1910.141(g)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 48 times in the last 3 years, in 48 inspections, with $92,256 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (7), TN (6), PA (3).
- Related part: 1910.141(g) Consumption of food and beverages on the premises (71 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.141(g)(2) ("Eating and drinking areas") is one requirement inside 1910.141 Sanitation, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart J). 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) Eating and drinking areas. No employee shall be allowed to consume food or beverages in a toilet room nor in any area exposed to a toxic material. 48 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.141.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 14 |
Top states: VA (7), TN (6), PA (3), TX (3), NY (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MARISCO LTD | KAPOLEI, HI | $10,427 |
| SMITH-MIDLAND CORPORATION | MIDLAND, VA | $10,220 |
| SUNBELT SOLOMON SERVICES, LLC | SOLOMON, KS | $9,457 |
| STRASBURG RAIL ROAD COMPANY | RONKS, PA | $7,661 |
| ACCURATE ENERGETIC SYSTEMS, LLC | MC EWEN, TN | $6,400 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.141(g)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Consuming hydrating liquids and solids in aluminum smelting facilities with beryllium below 0.1 percent (0.1%) by weight (2020-09-28)
- Consuming food and/or beverages in the same work area where known hazardous chemicals are used. (2009-12-03)
- Requirements for covered beverages at nurses' stations. (2006-05-17)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.141(g) Consumption of food and beverages on the premises 71 citations
- 1910.141(g)(4) Sanitary storage 19 citations
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
Where is eating and drinking not allowed?
In toilet rooms and in any area exposed to a toxic material.
Does this include drinks?
Yes. The rule covers both food and beverages.
Who is responsible?
The employer must not allow employees to consume food or beverages in those areas.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.141 (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.