1910.1000(c): Table Z-3 Exposure Limits
Employers must make sure an employee's exposure to any substance in Table Z-3, in any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour work week, does not exceed the 8-hour time weighted average limit given in the table.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1000(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $48,995 in current penalties.
- Most citations: SC (3), NY (2), MA (1).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1000(c) ("Table Z-3") is one requirement inside 1910.1000 Air contaminants, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). 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
(c) Table Z-3. An employee's exposure to any substance listed in Table Z-3, in any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour work week, shall not exceed the 8-hour time weighted average limit given for that substance in the table. 10 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1000.
Export the list: 10 inspections cited 1910.1000(c) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: SC (3), NY (2), MA (1), IL (1), GA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GVS NORTH AMERICA | WESTBOROUGH, MA | $15,625 |
| BIMBO BAKERIES USA | ALBANY, NY | $9,678 |
| AURORA INNOVATIONS | GOSHEN, NY | $7,340 |
| SOUTHERN PRODUCE PACKING AND SALES, LLC | REIDSVILLE, GA | $4,839 |
| WILD CHERRY SPOON CO. | MOLINE, IL | $4,563 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1000(c).
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Frequently asked questions
What does Table Z-3 cover?
Substances listed in Table Z-3 of 1910.1000, which the rule limits by 8-hour time weighted average.
What time period is the limit based on?
Any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour work week.
Can the limit be exceeded on one shift?
No. Exposure in any 8-hour shift must not exceed the limit.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1000 (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 2026-11-06
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.