1910.1450(e)(3): Required Parts of a Chemical Hygiene Plan
A laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan must include standard operating procedures, criteria for control measures, a requirement that fume hoods and protective equipment work properly, training provisions, rules for operations needing prior approval, medical consultation and exams, designation of a Chemical Hygiene Officer, and extra protection for particularly hazardous substances such as select carcinogens, reproductive toxins and highly acutely toxic substances.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1450(e)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 38 times in the last 3 years, in 29 inspections, with $60,535 in current penalties.
- Most citations: CT (16), CO (5), ME (3).
- Related part: 1910.1450(e) Chemical hygiene plan—General (103 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1450(e)(3) is one requirement inside 1910.1450 Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 12 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
(3) The Chemical Hygiene Plan shall include each of the following elements and shall indicate specific measures that the employer will take to ensure laboratory employee protection: 38 citations
(i) Standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals; 5 citations
(ii) Criteria that the employer will use to determine and implement control measures to reduce employee exposure to hazardous chemicals including engineering controls, the use of personal protective equipment and hygiene practices; particular attention shall be given to the selection of control measures for chemicals that are known to be extremely hazardous; 9 citations
(iii) A requirement that fume hoods and other protective equipment are functioning properly and specific measures that shall be taken to ensure proper and adequate performance of such equipment; Open (e)(3)(iii) 15 citations
(iv) Provisions for employee information and training as prescribed in paragraph (f) of this section; 1 citations
(v) The circumstances under which a particular laboratory operation, procedure or activity shall require prior approval from the employer or the employer's designee before implementation; 1 citations
(vi) Provisions for medical consultation and medical examinations in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section; 1 citations
(vii) Designation of personnel responsible for implementation of the Chemical Hygiene Plan including the assignment of a Chemical Hygiene Officer and, if appropriate, establishment of a Chemical Hygiene Committee; and Open (e)(3)(vii) 3 citations
(viii) Provisions for additional employee protection for work with particularly hazardous substances. These include “select carcinogens,” reproductive toxins and substances which have a high degree of acute toxicity. Specific consideration shall be given to the following provisions which shall be included where appropriate: Open (e)(3)(viii)
(A) Establishment of a designated area;
(B) Use of containment devices such as fume hoods or glove boxes;
(C) Procedures for safe removal of contaminated waste; and
(D) Decontamination procedures.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1450.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 19 |
Top states: CT (16), CO (5), ME (3), TN (2), NV (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR ASSOCIATES, INC | BOSTON, MA | $10,050 |
| HAZEN RESEARCH, INC. | GOLDEN, CO | $7,500 |
| VEOLIA NORTH AMERICA, INC. | ARKADELPHIA, AR | $6,913 |
| CAYMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY INC. | ANN ARBOR, MI | $6,300 |
| SOUTHERN INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS, INC. | ATLANTA, GA | $5,531 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1450(e)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Applicable OSHA standards and safety considerations for microwave device use in a laboratory (2002-08-08)
- Interpretation of "high degree of acute toxicity" under the laboratory standard (1990-07-30)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1450(e) Chemical hygiene plan—General 103 citations
- 1910.1450(e)(1) 39 citations
- 1910.1450(e)(4) 23 citations
- 1910.1450(e)(3)(iii) 15 citations
- 1910.1450(e)(3)(vii) 3 citations
- 1910.1450(e)(2) 3 citations
- 1910.1450(e)(3)(viii)
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Frequently asked questions
Does the plan have to name someone in charge?
Yes. It must designate personnel responsible for implementation, including a Chemical Hygiene Officer and, if appropriate, a Chemical Hygiene Committee.
What must the plan say about fume hoods?
It must require that fume hoods and other protective equipment are functioning properly and state specific measures to ensure adequate performance.
What are particularly hazardous substances?
They include select carcinogens, reproductive toxins and substances with a high degree of acute toxicity.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1450 (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.