1910.1026(i)(5): No Eating or Smoking in Chromium Areas
Employers must make sure employees do not eat, drink, smoke, chew tobacco or gum, or apply cosmetics in regulated areas or where skin or eye contact with chromium (VI) occurs. Employees must not carry or store the products for these activities in those areas.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1026(i)(5) 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 $10,444 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (3), MI (2), ID (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)(5) ("Prohibited activities") 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
(5) Prohibited activities. The employer shall ensure that employees do not eat, drink, smoke, chew tobacco or gum, or apply cosmetics in regulated areas, or in areas where skin or eye contact with chromium (VI) occurs; or carry the products associated with these activities, or store such products in these areas. 16 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 | 9 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: IL (3), MI (2), ID (2), GA (1), OK (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WHEELER TANK MANUFACTURING, INC. | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $5,324 |
| 68468 - PUREM NOVI INC | PLEASURE RIDGE PARK, KY | $5,000 |
| 317733387 - MERCURY EQUIPMENT INC | EUGENE, OR | $120 |
| SOUTHERN INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS, INC. | ATLANTA, GA | $0 |
| LMI FINISHING, INC. | CATOOSA, OK | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1026(i)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1026(i)(5).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1026(i) Hygiene areas and practices 57 citations
- 1910.1026(i)(4) Eating and drinking areas 24 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
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What activities are banned in chromium (VI) regulated areas?
Eating, drinking, smoking, chewing tobacco or gum, and applying cosmetics.
Can I keep my snacks in a regulated area?
No. Products associated with these activities must not be carried or stored in these areas.
Does this apply outside regulated areas?
It also applies in areas where skin or eye contact with chromium (VI) occurs.
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.