1910.1026(j): Chromium (VI) Housekeeping
Employers must keep surfaces as free as practicable of chromium (VI), clean up spills promptly and clean with HEPA vacuuming or other low-exposure methods. Dry sweeping is allowed only when those methods were tried and failed, compressed air only with capture ventilation or when no alternative is feasible, and contaminated waste must go in sealed, impermeable, labeled bags or containers.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1026(j) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 33 times in the last 3 years, in 26 inspections, with $42,604 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (6), GA (4), KY (3).
- Related part: 1910.1026(j)(1) General (15 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1026(j) ("Housekeeping") is one requirement inside 1910.1026 Chromium (VI), an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 13 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
(j) Housekeeping — 33 citations
(1) General. The employer shall ensure that: Open (j)(1) 15 citations
(i) All surfaces are maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of chromium (VI). Open (j)(1)(i) 13 citations
(ii) All spills and releases of chromium (VI) containing material are cleaned up promptly. 2 citations
(2) Cleaning methods. Open (j)(2) 12 citations
(i) The employer shall ensure that surfaces contaminated with chromium (VI) are cleaned by HEPA-filter vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure to chromium (VI). 7 citations
(ii) Dry shoveling, dry sweeping, and dry brushing may be used only where HEPA-filtered vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure to chromium (VI) have been tried and found not to be effective. 4 citations
(iii) The employer shall not allow compressed air to be used to remove chromium (VI) from any surface unless: 1 citations
(A) The compressed air is used in conjunction with a ventilation system designed to capture the dust cloud created by the compressed air; or
(B) No alternative method is feasible.
(iv) The employer shall ensure that cleaning equipment is handled in a manner that minimizes the reentry of chromium (VI) into the workplace.
(3) Disposal. The employer shall ensure that: Open (j)(3) 6 citations
(i) Waste, scrap, debris, and any other materials contaminated with chromium (VI) and consigned for disposal are collected and disposed of in sealed, impermeable bags or other closed, impermeable containers. Open (j)(3)(i) 4 citations
(ii) Bags or containers of waste, scrap, debris, and any other materials contaminated with chromium (VI) that are consigned for disposal are labeled in accordance with the requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200. 2 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 | 2 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Top states: TN (6), GA (4), KY (3), VA (3), IL (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FAURECIA EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEMS NA, LLC | FRANKLIN, OH | $8,873 |
| STANDARD AERO BUSINESS AVIATION SERVICES, LLC DBA STANDARD AERO | SPRINGFIELD, IL | $8,038 |
| SOUTHERN INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS, INC. | ATLANTA, GA | $6,000 |
| 68468 - PUREM NOVI INC | PLEASURE RIDGE PARK, KY | $5,000 |
| PRECISION PROTECTIVE COATINGS | SAVANNAH, GA | $4,034 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1026(j), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification of monitoring and sampling requirements for hexavalent chromium. (2010-09-30)
- Use of feasible engineering/work practice controls for exposure to Cr(VI) for welding in confined spaces; housekeeping and disposal of large/bulky waste materials. (2007-05-31)
- Clarification of the Hexavalent Chromium Final Rule (2006-10-31)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1026(j)(1) General 15 citations
- 1910.1026(j)(1)(i) 13 citations
- 1910.1026(j)(2) Cleaning methods 12 citations
- 1910.1026(j)(3) Disposal 6 citations
- 1910.1026(j)(3)(i) 4 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
How should chromium (VI) contamination be cleaned?
By HEPA-filter vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure.
Can compressed air be used?
Only with a ventilation system designed to capture the dust cloud, or when no alternative method is feasible.
How must chromium (VI) waste be disposed of?
In sealed, impermeable bags or closed, impermeable containers labeled under the Hazard Communication Standard.
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.