Free OSHA chemical inventory list template (CSV + printable PDF)
Short answer: OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard requires every employer with hazardous chemicals to keep a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present, using the product name that appears on each safety data sheet. The list can cover the whole workplace or one work area at a time (29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i)). This template gives you that list, ready to fill in.
What goes in each column
| Column | What to write | Required by OSHA? |
|---|---|---|
| Product name | Exactly as it appears on the container label and on the SDS, so anyone can match the two. | Yes: the list must use a product identifier that is referenced on the SDS. |
| Manufacturer / supplier | The company named in Section 1 of the SDS. | No, but it makes the right sheet easy to find. |
| Where used or stored | Work area, room or vehicle. | No. Useful if you keep one list per work area. |
| Approx. amount on hand | Rough quantity. | No for HazCom. Quantities matter for EPA Tier II reporting (Tier II guide). |
| SDS revision date | The date printed on the sheet. | No. It tells you when a sheet is out of date. |
| SDS on file? | Y once the current sheet is in your binder or system. | No, but every product on the list needs a sheet employees can reach (1910.1200(g)(8)). |
How to build and keep the list
- Walk each work area: shelves, cabinets, vehicles and spray bottles. Write down every product that has a hazard label or came with an SDS.
- Copy the product name exactly as printed on the label.
- Match each line to its safety data sheet. If a sheet is missing, ask the supplier or look it up on the manufacturer’s site.
- Keep the list with your written HazCom program, and add or remove a line whenever a product comes in or goes out.
Frequently asked questions
Does OSHA require a chemical inventory list?
Yes. The written hazard communication program has to include a list of the hazardous chemicals known to be present, using a product identifier that is referenced on the appropriate SDS. The list may be compiled for the workplace as a whole or for individual work areas (29 CFR 1910.1200(e)(1)(i)).
Does the list need quantities?
Not for HazCom. Quantities on hand matter for other rules, such as EPA’s Tier II chemical inventory reporting, which has its own thresholds and deadlines.
How often should it be updated?
Whenever a hazardous product is added or removed. A scheduled review, for example once a year, catches products that came in without anyone updating the list.
Can the list be electronic?
Yes. OSHA does not prescribe a format. What matters is that the list is part of your written program and that the product names match the labels and safety data sheets.