1910.1027(m): Cadmium Hazard Communication
Employers must include cadmium in their hazard communication program, give workers access to labels and safety data sheets, and train them. Cadmium hazards to address include cancer, lung, kidney and acute toxicity effects. Warning signs with the required DANGER legend must be posted in and at all approaches to regulated areas and kept visible, and containers need warning labels.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1027(m) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 21 times in the last 3 years, in 19 inspections, with $21,581 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: OR (4), IL (3), MI (3).
- Related part: 1910.1027(m)(4) Employee information and training (12 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1027(m) ("Communication of cadmium hazards to employees") is one requirement inside 1910.1027 Cadmium, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 29 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
(m) Communication of cadmium hazards to employees — 21 citations
(1) Hazard communication.—general. 6 citations
(i) Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers shall comply with all requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) (§ 1910.1200) for cadmium.
(ii) In classifying the hazards of cadmium at least the following hazards are to be addressed: Cancer; lung effects; kidney effects; and acute toxicity effects. 1 citations
(iii) Employers shall include cadmium in the hazard communication program established to comply with the HCS (§ 1910.1200). Employers shall ensure that each employee has access to labels on containers of cadmium and to safety data sheets, and is trained in accordance with the requirements of HCS and paragraph (m)(4) of this section. 5 citations
(2) Warning signs. 2 citations
(i) Warning signs shall be provided and displayed in regulated areas. In addition, warning signs shall be posted at all approaches to regulated areas so that an employee may read the signs and take necessary protective steps before entering the area. 1 citations
(ii) Warning signs required by paragraph (m)(2)(i) of this section shall bear the following legend: 1 citations
DANGER
CADMIUM
MAY CAUSE CANCER
CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS AND KIDNEYS
WEAR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION IN THIS AREA
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
(iii) The employer shall ensure that signs required by this paragraph (m)(2) are illuminated, cleaned, and maintained as necessary so that the legend is readily visible.
(iv) Prior to June 1, 2016, employers may use the following legend in lieu of that specified in paragraph (m)(2)(ii) of this section:
DANGER
CADMIUM
CANCER HAZARD
CAN CAUSE LUNG AND KIDNEY DISEASE
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
RESPIRATORS REQUIRED IN THIS AREA
(3) Warning labels. 1 citations
(i) Shipping and storage containers containing cadmium or cadmium compounds shall bear appropriate warning labels, as specified in paragraph (m)(1) of this section.
(ii) The warning labels for containers of contaminated protective clothing, equipment, waste, scrap, or debris shall include at least the following information: 1 citations
DANGER
CONTAINS CADMIUM
MAY CAUSE CANCER
CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS AND KIDNEYS
AVOID CREATING DUST
(iii) Prior to June 1, 2015, employers may include the following information on shipping and storage containers containing cadmium, cadmium compounds, or cadmium contaminated clothing, equipment, waste, scrap, or debris in lieu of the labeling requirements specified in paragraphs (m)(1)(i) and (m)(3)(ii) of this section:
DANGER
CONTAINS CADMIUM
CANCER HAZARD
AVOID CREATING DUST
CAN CAUSE LUNG AND KIDNEY DISEASE
(iv) Where feasible, installed cadmium products shall have a visible label or other indication that cadmium is present.
(4) Employee information and training. Open (m)(4) 12 citations
(i) The employer shall train each employee who is potentially exposed to cadmium in accordance with the requirements of this section. The employer shall institute a training program, ensure employee participation in the program, and maintain a record of the contents of such program. Open (m)(4)(i) 8 citations
(ii) Training shall be provided prior to or at the time of initial assignment to a job involving potential exposure to cadmium and at least annually thereafter. 3 citations
(iii) The employer shall make the training program understandable to the employee and shall assure that each employee is informed of the following: 1 citations
(A) The health hazards associated with cadmium exposure, with special attention to the information incorporated in appendix A to this section;
(B) The quantity, location, manner of use, release, and storage of cadmium in the workplace and the specific nature of operations that could result in exposure to cadmium, especially exposures above the PEL;
(C) The engineering controls and work practices associated with the employee's job assignment;
(D) The measures employees can take to protect themselves from exposure to cadmium, including modification of such habits as smoking and personal hygiene, and specific procedures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to cadmium such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and the provision of personal protective equipment;
(E) The purpose, proper selection, fitting, proper use, and limitations of respirators and protective clothing;
(F) The purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program required by paragraph (l) of this section;
(G) The contents of this section and its appendices; and
(H) The employee's rights of access to records under § 1910.1020(e) and (g).
(iv) Additional access to information and training program and materials.
(A) The employer shall make a copy of this section and its appendices readily available without cost to all affected employees and shall provide a copy if requested.
(B) The employer shall provide to the Assistant Secretary or the Director, upon request, all materials relating to the employee information and the training program.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1027.
Export the list: 19 inspections cited 1910.1027(m) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.1027(m).
At 10:00 a.m. on February 23, 2024, an employee working as a machine operator for an aircraft parts manufacturer was working in the fabrication department. The employee inhaled plastic dust which led to the employee developing pneumonia. At 9:00 a.m. on May 2, 2024, the…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: OR (4), IL (3), MI (3), TN (2), AL (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| AERSALE COMPONENTS SOLUTIONS | RIO RANCHO, NM | $9,643 |
| JGM, INC. | COATESVILLE, PA | $4,840 |
| NYRSTAR CLARKSVILLE INC. | CLARKSVILLE, TN | $4,000 |
| 156174 - PIEDMONT AVIATION COMPONENT SERVICE LLC | GREENSBORO, NC | $2,873 |
| 317734832 - ESPICORP INC | ASHLAND, OR | $225 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1027(m).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1027(m)(4) Employee information and training 12 citations
- 1910.1027(m)(4)(i) 8 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What hazards of cadmium must be addressed?
At least cancer, lung effects, kidney effects and acute toxicity effects.
Where must cadmium warning signs go?
In regulated areas and at all approaches to them, so employees can read them and take protective steps before entering.
What must the sign say?
DANGER CADMIUM MAY CAUSE CANCER CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS AND KIDNEYS WEAR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION IN THIS AREA AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.
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 2026-11-05
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.