1910.124(h): First Aid for Dipping and Coating
When employees work with liquids that may burn, irritate or harm their skin, employers must require a physician's approval before an employee with a skin lesion needing medical treatment works in a vapor area, provide treatment of small skin injuries by a designated person, keep first-aid supplies near the operation, and provide periodic exams of exposed body parts for chromic acid workers.
Key takeaways
- 1910.124(h) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart H).
- OSHA cited it 17 times in the last 3 years, in 16 inspections, with $59,985 in current penalties.
- Most citations: CT (4), IL (3), OK (2).
- Related part: 1910.124(h)(4) (12 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.124(h) is one requirement inside 1910.124 General requirements for dipping and coating operations, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart H). It includes 4 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
(h) What treatment and first aid must I provide? When your employees work with liquids that may burn, irritate, or otherwise harm their skin, you must provide: 17 citations
(1) A physician's approval before an employee with a sore, burn, or other skin lesion that requires medical treatment works in a vapor area;
(2) Treatment by a properly designated person of any small skin abrasion, cut, rash, or open sore;
(3) Appropriate first-aid supplies that are located near the dipping or coating operation; and 3 citations
(4) For employees who work with chromic acid, periodic examinations of their exposed body parts, especially their nostrils. Open (h)(4) 12 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.124.
Export the list: 16 inspections cited 1910.124(h) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: CT (4), IL (3), OK (2), MI (2), MD (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| LMI FINISHING, INC. | CATOOSA, OK | $20,742 |
| DURO-CHROME INDUSTRIES INC. | WAUCONDA, IL | $8,308 |
| VALENCE SURFACE TECHNOLOGIES LLC | WICHITA, KS | $5,674 |
| ARLINGTON PLATING ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC | PALATINE, IL | $4,800 |
| KEYSTONE PROFILES, LTD | BEAVER FALLS, PA | $4,600 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.124(h).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.124(h)(4) 12 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Can a worker with a burn work in a vapor area?
Only with a physician's approval if the sore, burn or skin lesion requires medical treatment.
Who treats small cuts and rashes?
A properly designated person.
What extra care do chromic acid workers get?
Periodic examinations of their exposed body parts, especially their nostrils.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.124 (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.