 | The new OSHA standard for Hexavalent Chromium
covers:
 | General Industry – 1910.1026 |
| Shipyards – 1915.1026 |
| Construction – 1926.1126 |
|
| February 28, 2006 – OSHA published the new
standard. |
| May 30, 2006 – Effective date. |
| Enforced 180 days from the effective date with
exceptions:
| November 27, 2006 – 20 or more employees. |
| May 31, 2007 – less than 20 employees. |
| May 31, 2010 – engineering control
requirements. |
|
| What activities are the sources of Chromium
(VI)?
| Welding & cutting of stainless steel &
other chromium containing metals. |
| Heavy painting & coating. |
| Electroplating. |
| Handling of chrome based pigments. |
|
| About 558,000 workers are exposed to Cr(VI).
|
| Welders represent the highest single worker
group exposed. |
| What is Cr(VI)?
| Hexavalent chromium compound exist in
several forms known as chromates.
| Typically particulates. |
| Yellow, orange, or red in color. |
|
| Trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) is the most
stable state; naturally occurring. |
| Cr(VI) is less chemically stable; most
compounds are man made. |
|
| Exposure Routes:
| Inhalation
| Particulates, such as: |
| Paint spray |
| Welding fumes |
| Chromate dust |
|
| Skin Exposure |
| Respiratory
| Lung cancer |
| Damage to nasal membranes |
| Asthma |
|
| Dermal
| Skin damage |
|
| Internal Organs
| Kidney |
| Liver |
|
|
| Major health effects:
| Lung cancer |
| Damage to nasal passages |
| Skin rashes & ulcers |
|
| A high % of workers exposed can get lung
cancer. |
| Major Elements of the New Standard:
| Permissible Exposure Level |
| Exposure Determination |
| Engineering Controls |
| Personal Protection |
| Medical Surveillance |
| Worker Education & Communication |
|
| Permissible Exposure:
| PEL
| Reduced from 52 micrograms of CR(VI)
per cubic meter of air as an eight hour time weighted
average (TWA) to 5 µg/m³.
| This cannot be achieved by
rotation of employees. |
|
|
| Action Level
| 2.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air
|
|
|
| Exposure Determination
| Employer has 2 choices.
| Scheduled monitoring |
| Performance oriented |
|
| Must determine the 8 hour TWA exposure for
each employee. |
|
| Monitoring Guidelines:
| If employee exposure exceeds PEL:
| Employer must notify employee within
15 days |
| Post information |
| Written notification |
|
| Accuracy of measuring equipment
| +/- 25% |
|
| Confidence level of 95% |
| Employees can observe monitoring
| Employer to provide personal
protection |
|
|
| PPE
| Respiratory Protection
| To comply, you can use a traditional
half mask NIOSH approved respirator with N-95 filters. For
maximum protection, use a P-100 filter with a full
face-piece. |
|
| Respiratory program must be in accordance
with 29 CFR 1910.134 |
| Work Clothing
| Provided by employer where necessary &
at no cost to employee. |
| Employer must ensure it is used. |
| Must be cleaned properly. |
|
|
| Recordkeeping:
| Employer must keep records of:
| Air monitoring data |
| Historical monitoring data |
| Objective data |
| Medical surveillance |
|
|
| You can call MSA at 800-MSA-2222 if you have
any questions. |
