1910.1026(j)(1)(i): Keeping Surfaces Free of Chromium (VI)
Employers must keep all surfaces as free as practicable of chromium (VI) buildup.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1026(j)(1)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 13 times in the last 3 years, in 13 inspections, with $7,409 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (3), ID (2), KS (2).
- Related part: 1910.1026(j) Housekeeping (33 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1026(j)(1)(i) 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
(i) All surfaces are maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of chromium (VI). 13 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 | 7 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: TN (3), ID (2), KS (2), KY (1), OK (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PRECISION PROTECTIVE COATINGS | SAVANNAH, GA | $4,034 |
| 66152 - NORTH AMERICAN STAINLESS GP | GHENT, KY | $3,375 |
| LMI FINISHING, INC. | CATOOSA, OK | $0 |
| RAYCO PLATING, INC. | RIGBY, ID | $0 |
| TABET MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. | NORFOLK, VA | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1026(j)(1)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1026(j)(1)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1026(j) Housekeeping 33 citations
- 1910.1026(j)(1) General 15 citations
- 1910.1026(j)(2) Cleaning methods 12 citations
- 1910.1026(j)(3) Disposal 6 citations
- 1910.1026(j)(3)(i) 4 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 does this rule require?
All surfaces must be maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of chromium (VI).
Which standard is this?
29 CFR 1910.1026, chromium (VI) in general industry.
Does it mean zero chromium?
It requires surfaces kept as free as practicable of accumulations.
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.