1910.1026(f): Chromium (VI) Methods of Compliance
Employers must use engineering and work practice controls to keep chromium (VI) exposure at or below the PEL unless they can show such controls are not feasible, and add respiratory protection where controls are not enough. Special rules apply to aerospace aircraft painting and to tasks that do not exceed the PEL 30 or more days per year. Employers must not rotate employees between jobs to meet the PEL.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1026(f) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 16 inspections, with $14,899 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (3), GA (2), OH (2).
- Related part: 1910.1026(f)(1) Engineering and work practice controls (16 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1026(f) ("Methods of compliance") is one requirement inside 1910.1026 Chromium (VI), an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 5 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
(f) Methods of compliance — 16 citations
(1) Engineering and work practice controls. Open (f)(1) 16 citations
(i) Except as permitted in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) and paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section, the employer shall use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to chromium (VI) to or below the PEL unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible. Wherever feasible engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL, the employer shall use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest levels achievable, and shall supplement them by the use of respiratory protection that complies with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this section. Open (f)(1)(i) 15 citations
(ii) Where painting of aircraft or large aircraft parts is performed in the aerospace industry, the employer shall use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to chromium (VI) to or below 25 µgm/m3 unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible. The employer shall supplement such engineering and work practice controls with the use of respiratory protection that complies with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this section to achieve the PEL. Open (f)(1)(ii)
(iii) Where the employer can demonstrate that a process or task does not result in any employee exposure to chromium (VI) above the PEL for 30 or more days per year (12 consecutive months), the requirement to implement engineering and work practice controls to achieve the PEL does not apply to that process or task. 1 citations
(2) Prohibition of rotation. The employer shall not rotate employees to different jobs to achieve compliance with the PEL. Open (f)(2)
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 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: MI (3), GA (2), OH (2), WI (2), KY (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| LMI FINISHING, INC. | CATOOSA, OK | $11,524 |
| 66152 - NORTH AMERICAN STAINLESS GP | GHENT, KY | $3,375 |
| SOUTHERN INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS, INC. | ATLANTA, GA | $0 |
| INDUSTRIAL PLATING COMPANY, INC. | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $0 |
| GREAT DANE, LLC | ELYSBURG, PA | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1026(f), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Paint operations on aircraft and ground support equipment as related to the Chromium (VI) Standard’s exception for aircraft painting (2018-03-13)
- Use of ductless welding booths to filter hexavalent chromium-contaminated air. (2017-04-10)
- Use of feasible engineering/work practice controls for exposure to Cr(VI) for welding in confined spaces; housekeeping and disposal of large/bulky waste materials. (2007-05-31)
- Clarification of the Hexavalent Chromium Final Rule (2006-10-31)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1026(f)(1) Engineering and work practice controls 16 citations
- 1910.1026(f)(1)(i) 15 citations
- 1910.1026(f)(2) Prohibition of rotation
- 1910.1026(f)(1)(ii)
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What controls come first for chromium (VI)?
Engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain exposure to or below the PEL, unless the employer can demonstrate they are not feasible.
Can an employer rotate workers to meet the PEL?
No. The employer shall not rotate employees to different jobs to achieve compliance with the PEL.
What if controls are not enough?
The employer must use them to reduce exposure to the lowest levels achievable and supplement them with respiratory protection meeting paragraph (g).
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.