1910.1450(e): Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan
Where hazardous chemicals are used in a laboratory, employers must write and carry out a Chemical Hygiene Plan that can protect workers from their health hazards and keep exposures below the limits in paragraph (c). The plan must be available to workers and must include safe work procedures, criteria for control measures, working fume hoods and protective equipment, training, and other listed elements.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1450(e) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 103 times in the last 3 years, in 79 inspections, with $151,429 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: CT (36), CO (10), ME (7).
- Related part: 1910.1450(e)(1) (39 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1450(e) ("Chemical hygiene plan—General") is one requirement inside 1910.1450 Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 18 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
(e) Chemical hygiene plan—General. (Appendix A of this section is non-mandatory but provides guidance to assist employers in the development of the Chemical Hygiene Plan.) 103 citations
(1) Where hazardous chemicals as defined by this standard are used in the workplace, the employer shall develop and carry out the provisions of a written Chemical Hygiene Plan which is: Open (e)(1) 39 citations
(i) Capable of protecting employees from health hazards associated with hazardous chemicals in that laboratory and 2 citations
(ii) Capable of keeping exposures below the limits specified in paragraph (c) of this section.
(2) The Chemical Hygiene Plan shall be readily available to employees, employee representatives and, upon request, to the Assistant Secretary. Open (e)(2) 3 citations
(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: Open (e)(3) 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.
(4) The employer shall review and evaluate the effectiveness of the Chemical Hygiene Plan at least annually and update it as necessary. Open (e)(4) 23 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1450.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.1450(e).
At 4:00 a.m. on September 14, 2024, Employee #1 was performing routine janitorial duties, including cleaning bathrooms, removing trash, and cleaning floors. The employee began the shift feeling unwell with a headache and upset stomach. As the day progressed, the symptoms worsened, and the employee…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 36 |
Top states: CT (36), CO (10), ME (7), TN (6), MI (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY | LAS VEGAS, NM | $13,660 |
| SOUTHERN INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS, INC. | ATLANTA, GA | $11,983 |
| MASSACHUSETTS EYE AND EAR ASSOCIATES, INC | BOSTON, MA | $10,050 |
| HAZEN RESEARCH, INC. | GOLDEN, CO | $7,500 |
| TRUCKEE MEADOWS COMMUNITY COLLEGE | RENO, NV | $7,143 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1450(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Labeling of small containers in the laboratory (2015-09-03)
- 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)(1) 39 citations
- 1910.1450(e)(3) 38 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
Who needs a Chemical Hygiene Plan?
Employers where hazardous chemicals as defined by the standard are used in the laboratory workplace.
Who can see the plan?
Employees, employee representatives and, on request, the Assistant Secretary.
Must the plan address fume hoods?
Yes. It must require that fume hoods and other protective equipment function properly and state measures to ensure that.
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.