Standard Interpretations

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Each letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information.

1910.1026 - Applicability of the hexavalent chromium standard to welders. - 02/23/2011
1910.1026 - Clarification of employer's obligation to include social security numbers on employee exposure records. - 03/27/2008
1910.1026 - Clarification of monitoring and sampling requirements for hexavalent chromium. - 09/30/2010
1910.1026 - Clarification of the Chromium (VI) Standard - Change Rooms and Hygiene Practices. - 09/02/2011
1910.1026 - OSHA has no authority to ban use of hexavalent chromium. - 06/29/2009
1910.1026 - Restriction on using performance option/objective data for repeat monitoring in OSHA’s General Industry Lead and Cadmium standards - 10/23/2018
1910.1026 - Use of ductless welding booths to filter hexavalent chromium-contaminated air. - 04/10/2017
1910.1026 - 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. - 05/31/2007
1910.1026(a)(4) - 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. - 05/31/2007
1910.1026(b) - 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. - 05/31/2007
1910.1026(c) - 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. - 05/31/2007
1910.1026(d)(2) - Clarification of monitoring and sampling requirements for hexavalent chromium. - 09/30/2010
1910.1026(d)(3) - Use of "objective data" to accurately characterize employee exposures to hexavalent chromium during welding operations - 11/14/2006
1910.1026(f)(1) - 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. - 05/31/2007
1910.1026(f)(1)(i) - Use of ductless welding booths to filter hexavalent chromium-contaminated air. - 04/10/2017
1910.1026(f)(1)(ii) - Paint operations on aircraft and ground support equipment as related to the Chromium (VI) Standard’s exception for aircraft painting - 03/13/2018
1910.1026(h) - Applicability of the hexavalent chromium standard to welders. - 02/23/2011
1910.1026(h)(1) - Clarification of the Chromium (VI) Standard - Change Rooms and Hygiene Practices. - 09/02/2011
1910.1026(h)(1) - Wearing short-sleeved shirts while performing a thermal spray operation with exposure to hexavalent chromium fumes. - 01/25/2007
1910.1026(i) - Applicability of the hexavalent chromium standard to welders. - 02/23/2011
1910.1026(i) - Dust wipe sampling is not required to prove surfaces are as free as practicable - 11/05/2014
1910.1026(i)(1) - Clarification of the Chromium (VI) Standard - Change Rooms and Hygiene Practices. - 09/02/2011
1910.1026(i)(4)(i) - Dust wipe sampling is not required to prove surfaces are as free as practicable - 11/05/2014
1910.1026(j) - Clarification of monitoring and sampling requirements for hexavalent chromium. - 09/30/2010
1910.1026(j) - 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. - 05/31/2007
1910.1026(j)(3)(i) - 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. - 05/31/2007
1910.1026(k) - Periodic medical exams for electroplating workers exposed to chromic acid - 10/15/2015

OSH Act - Section 5(a)(1)