1926.62(i)(4): Eating facilities
Key takeaways
- 1926.62(i)(4) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 3 times in the last 3 years, in 3 inspections, with $34,629 in current penalties.
- Related part: 1926.62(i) Hygiene facilities and practices (25 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.62(i)(4) ("Eating facilities") is one requirement inside 1926.62 Lead, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart D). 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
(4) Eating facilities. 3 citations
(i) The employer shall provide lunchroom facilities or eating areas for employees whose airborne exposure to lead is above the PEL, without regard to the use of respirators.
(ii) The employer shall assure that lunchroom facilities or eating areas are as free as practicable from lead contamination and are readily accessible to employees. Open (i)(4)(ii) 1 citations
(iii) The employer shall assure that employees whose airborne exposure to lead is above the PEL, without regard to the use of a respirator, wash their hands and face prior to eating, drinking, smoking or applying cosmetics.
(iv) The employer shall assure that employees do not enter lunchroom facilities or eating areas with protective work clothing or equipment unless surface lead dust has been removed by vacuuming, downdraft booth, or other cleaning method that limits dispersion of lead dust. 2 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.62.
Where and how often it was cited
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.62(i)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification of "as free as practicable" lead contamination on surfaces (2025-09-29)
- Clarification of "as free as practicable" and lead contamination under 29 CFR 1926.62. (2003-01-13)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.62(i) Hygiene facilities and practices 25 citations
- 1926.62(i)(2) Change areas 13 citations
- 1926.62(i)(2)(i) 10 citations
- 1926.62(i)(4)(ii) 1 citations
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About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.62 (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.