1910.1026(i)(4)(i): Chromium-Free Eating and Drinking Areas
Whenever employers allow food or drinks at a worksite where chromium (VI) is present, they must make sure eating and drinking areas and surfaces are kept as free as practicable of chromium (VI).
Key takeaways
- 1910.1026(i)(4)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 16 inspections, with $53,165 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (5), TN (4), OK (1).
- Related part: 1910.1026(i) Hygiene areas and practices (57 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1026(i)(4)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.1026 Chromium (VI), an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). 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
(i) Whenever the employer allows employees to consume food or beverages at a worksite where chromium (VI) is present, the employer shall ensure that eating and drinking areas and surfaces are maintained as free as practicable of chromium (VI). 16 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1026.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: IL (5), TN (4), OK (1), PA (1), ID (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CENTURION INDUSTRIES, INC. DBA A-LERT CONSTRUCTION SERVICES | DECATUR, IL | $14,187 |
| LMI FINISHING, INC. | CATOOSA, OK | $11,524 |
| PAMARCO GLOBAL GRAPHICS, INC. | BATAVIA, IL | $7,300 |
| VALENCE SURFACE TECHNOLOGIES LLC | WICHITA, KS | $7,093 |
| ADMIRAL VALVE, LLC | KENNETT SQUARE, PA | $3,840 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1026(i)(4)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1026(i) Hygiene areas and practices 57 citations
- 1910.1026(i)(4) Eating and drinking areas 24 citations
- 1910.1026(i)(5) Prohibited activities 16 citations
- 1910.1026(i)(1) General 7 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 workers eat on a site with chromium (VI)?
If allowed, the eating and drinking areas and surfaces must be kept as free as practicable of chromium (VI).
Who keeps the eating area clean?
The employer must ensure it is maintained as free as practicable of chromium (VI).
Does this cover drinks too?
Yes. It covers both food and beverages.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1026 (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.