1910.1026(i)(4): Chromium (VI) Eating and Drinking Areas
Where employers allow eating or drinking at a worksite with chromium (VI), they must keep eating and drinking areas and surfaces as free as practicable of chromium (VI). Employees must not enter those areas with protective clothing or equipment unless surface chromium (VI) has been removed by methods that do not spread it into the air or onto the body.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1026(i)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 24 times in the last 3 years, in 21 inspections, with $65,477 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (7), TN (5), OK (2).
- Related part: 1910.1026(i) Hygiene areas and practices (57 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1026(i)(4) ("Eating and drinking areas") is one requirement inside 1910.1026 Chromium (VI), an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 2 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 and drinking areas. 24 citations
(i) Whenever the employer allows employees to consume food or beverages at a worksite where chromium (VI) is present, the employer shall ensure that eating and drinking areas and surfaces are maintained as free as practicable of chromium (VI). Open (i)(4)(i) 16 citations
(ii) The employer shall ensure that employees do not enter eating and drinking areas with protective work clothing or equipment unless surface chromium (VI) has been removed from the clothing and equipment by methods that do not disperse chromium (VI) into the air or onto an employee's body. 8 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 | 2 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: IL (7), TN (5), OK (2), KY (1), GA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CENTURION INDUSTRIES, INC. DBA A-LERT CONSTRUCTION SERVICES | DECATUR, IL | $14,187 |
| LMI FINISHING, INC. | CATOOSA, OK | $11,524 |
| CAMERON MANUFACTURING & DESIGN - FLORIDA | ORLANDO, FL | $8,937 |
| PAMARCO GLOBAL GRAPHICS, INC. | BATAVIA, IL | $7,300 |
| VALENCE SURFACE TECHNOLOGIES LLC | WICHITA, KS | $7,093 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1026(i)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1026(i) Hygiene areas and practices 57 citations
- 1910.1026(i)(5) Prohibited activities 16 citations
- 1910.1026(i)(4)(i) 16 citations
- 1910.1026(i)(1) General 7 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
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Frequently asked questions
Can workers eat where chromium (VI) is present?
If the employer allows it, eating areas and surfaces must be kept as free as practicable of chromium (VI).
Can work clothing be worn into eating areas?
Only after surface chromium (VI) is removed by methods that do not disperse it into the air or onto the body.
Is blowing off clothing allowed?
Cleaning methods must not disperse chromium (VI) into the air or onto an employee's body.
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.