1910.1026(c): Chromium (VI) Exposure Limit
Employers must ensure no employee is exposed to airborne chromium (VI) above 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air, calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
Key takeaways
- 1910.1026(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 18 times in the last 3 years, in 18 inspections, with $93,553 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (4), GA (3), OH (2).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1026(c) ("Permissible exposure limit (PEL)") is one requirement inside 1910.1026 Chromium (VI), 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) Permissible exposure limit (PEL). The employer shall ensure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of chromium (VI) in excess of 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (5 µgm/m3), calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). 18 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1026.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: MI (4), GA (3), OH (2), WI (2), KY (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CALGON CARBON CORPORATION | BLOOMFIELD, NM | $16,071 |
| WHEELER TANK MANUFACTURING, INC. | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $15,000 |
| KEWAUNEE FABRICATIONS, L.L.C. | KEWAUNEE, WI | $13,005 |
| KADANT BLACK CLAWSON LLC | LEBANON, OH | $10,000 |
| PRECISION PROTECTIVE COATINGS | SAVANNAH, GA | $8,276 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is the chromium (VI) exposure limit?
5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (5 µg/m3) as an 8-hour time-weighted average.
What does TWA mean?
Time-weighted average, meaning exposure is averaged over an 8-hour period.
Who must keep exposure under the limit?
The employer must ensure no employee is exposed above it.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1026 (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.