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Question: Does OSHA prohibit eating or drinking any food or beverage in the workplace? Many people have reported that their employer or manager has told them that OSHA rules prohibit having any food or anything to drink where they work.

Answer: The best answer to the question of food and beverages (eating and drinking in the workplace) has to do with the hazards and potential for hazard that this would bring. All OSHA standards require that employers evaluate workplace hazards and determine whether what is required to ensure safety and health of employees.

For example, 29CFR 1910.142 requires that no employee be allowed to have food or beverages in an area where they could be contaminated with toxic or infectious materials. Obviously, it would not be appropriate to eat and drink in proximity to chemicals, such as at pesticide factory in the production area, but employees in an average bank, could (under OSHA) safely drink a coke at their desk.

29 CFR 1910.142 could also be interpreted to mean that lunches, snacks or drinks may not be stored in a cabinet or refrigerator with chemicals. So if you work in a lab, you definitely would not be allowed to store your lunch, Coke or other soda pops in a refrigerator with radioactive materials, biological agents (such as virus samples, bacteria, etc.) or chemicals.

Summary

OSHA does not have a rule that flatly prohibits workers eating or drinking in the workplace. Each workplace is different and the employer has the responsibility to evaluate the particular hazards and make a reasonable determination.

References:

Regulations:

• 29 CFR 1910.143

Interpretations:

1. 1992 - 04/21/1992 - Eating and drinking in area where potentially infectious material exists		12k
April 21, 1992 The Honorable Larry E. Craig United States Senate Attention: Nicole L. Gaul Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Craig: This is in response to your letter of March 2, addressed to the f... https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=20636 Category: Standard Interpretations Score: 73
2. 1992 - 08/25/1992 - Eating and drinking in doctors' waiting rooms.		12k
August 25, 1992 The Honorable J. James Exon United States Senator 287 Federal Building 100 Centennial Mall North Lincoln, Nebraska 68508 Dear Senator Exon: This is in further response to your letter ... https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=20808 Category: Standard Interpretations Score: 73 Ways to save money AND help the environment: Save water AND money with this showerhead adapter, it lets the water flow until the water is hot, then shuts off water flow until you restart it, ShowerStart TSV Hot Water Standby Adapter Eat healthier AND save money: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric 8 QT Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer, Sterilizer, Pot is Stainless Steel Protect your health with these: Mattress Dust mite-Bedbug protector, 100% Waterproof, Hypoallergenic, Zippered Handheld Allergen Vacuum Cleaner with UV Sanitizing for Allergies and Pet, Kills Mite, Virus, Molds, True HEPA with Powerful Suction removes Hair, Dander, Pollen, Dust, Immune Support Supplement with Quercetin, Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D3 GermGuardian Air Purifier with UV-C Light and HEPA 13 Filter, Removes 99.97% of Pollutants HEPA Air Purifier, HEPA Air Cleaner with Washable Pre-Filter, AQI Display, ECO Mode, Sleep Mode, Pet Mode for Pets, Dust, Pollen, Removes 99.97% of Particles, Smoke, Mold, Pet Dander, Dust, Odors Interesting Reads: THE PREPPER'S CANNING & PRESERVING BIBLE: [13 in 1] Your Path to Food Self-Sufficiency. Canning, Dehydrating, Fermenting, Pickling & More, Plus The Food Preservation Calendar for a Sustainable Pantry The Backyard Homestead: Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre! Paperback The Citizens' Guide to Geologic Hazards: A Guide to Understanding Geologic Hazards Including Asbestos, Radon, Swelling Soils, Earthquakes, Volcanoes The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming Book: The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History Paperback Save water AND money with this showerhead adapter, it lets the water flow until the water is hot, then shuts off water flow until you restart it, ShowerStart TSV Hot Water Standby Adapter Amazon's Echo Dot - inexpensive automation to control household devices and save money.   Eat healthier AND save money: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric 8 QT Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer, Sterilizer, Pot is Stainless Steel