1910.141(g)(4): No Food Storage in Toilet Rooms or Toxic Areas
No food or beverages may be stored in toilet rooms or in any area exposed to a toxic material.
Key takeaways
- 1910.141(g)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart J).
- OSHA cited it 19 times in the last 3 years, in 19 inspections, with $19,901 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (4), PA (3), UT (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)(4) ("Sanitary storage") 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
(4) Sanitary storage. No food or beverages shall be stored in toilet rooms or in an area exposed to a toxic material. 19 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.141.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: NY (4), PA (3), UT (3), VA (2), AK (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FLEET GENIUS, LLC | ROCHESTER, NY | $5,000 |
| CRITERION LABORATORIES, INC. | BENSALEM, PA | $4,114 |
| HANKOOK & COMPANY ES AMERICA CORP. | CLARKSVILLE, TN | $3,500 |
| OLEIN RECOVERY CORPORATION | YABUCOA, PR | $3,150 |
| YINCAE ADVANCED MATERIALS, LLC | ALBANY, NY | $2,128 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.141(g)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.141(g)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.141(g) Consumption of food and beverages on the premises 71 citations
- 1910.141(g)(2) Eating and drinking areas 48 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
Can food be kept in a restroom?
No. Food and beverages shall not be stored in toilet rooms.
What about work areas with chemicals?
Food and beverages shall not be stored in an area exposed to a toxic material.
Does this include drinks?
Yes. The rule covers food and beverages.
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.