1910.1027(d)(2): Initial Cadmium Monitoring
Employers must monitor employee cadmium exposures and base initial determinations on the results. They may instead rely on earlier monitoring done after September 14, 1991 under closely similar conditions that meets this section, or on objective data showing exposure will not exceed the action level.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1027(d)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 4 times in the last 3 years, in 4 inspections, with $10,050 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.1027(d) Exposure monitoring (21 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1027(d)(2) ("Specific") is one requirement inside 1910.1027 Cadmium, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 3 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
(2) Specific. 4 citations
(i) Initial monitoring. Except as provided for in paragraphs (d)(2)(ii) and (d)(2)(iii) of this section, the employer shall monitor employee exposures and shall base initial determinations on the monitoring results. Open (d)(2)(i) 4 citations
(ii) Where the employer has monitored after September 14, 1991, under conditions that in all important aspects closely resemble those currently prevailing and where that monitoring satisfies all other requirements of this section, including the accuracy and confidence levels of paragraph (d)(6) of this section, the employer may rely on such earlier monitoring results to satisfy the requirements of paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section.
(iii) Where the employer has objective data, as defined in paragraph (n)(2) of this section, demonstrating that employee exposure to cadmium will not exceed the action level under the expected conditions of processing, use, or handling, the employer may rely upon such data instead of implementing initial monitoring.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1027.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.1027(d)(2).
At 1:45 a.m. on November 6, 2024, an employee working for a solar power providerwas performing maintenance work on the C5. The employee collapsed and died from natural causes/heart attack.
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1027(d)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1027(d)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1027(d) Exposure monitoring 21 citations
- 1910.1027(d)(1) General 13 citations
- 1910.1027(d)(2)(i) 4 citations
- 1910.1027(d)(5) Employee Notification of Monitoring Results 3 citations
- 1910.1027(d)(5)(ii) 2 citations
- 1910.1027(d)(5)(i) 1 citations
- 1910.1027(d)(3)(i) 1 citations
- 1910.1027(d)(3) Monitoring Frequency (periodic monitoring) 1 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Is initial cadmium monitoring required?
Yes, unless the employer can use qualifying earlier monitoring or objective data.
Can older monitoring results be used?
Yes, if done after September 14, 1991 under conditions that closely resemble current ones and meeting all other requirements, including accuracy and confidence levels.
What can objective data show to skip monitoring?
That employee exposure to cadmium will not exceed the action level under expected conditions.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1027 (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 2026-10-22
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.