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Hexavalent Chromium: OSHA deadline for engineering controls approaching
(17.02.2010)
Time is running out to have engineering controls in place for hexavalent chromium. OSHA standard 1910.134 requires all business regardless of time to have engineering safety controls implemented prior to May 31, 2010.
Background:Hexavalent
Chromium is a known human carcinogen and has been linked to lung
cancer, and other terminal illnesses. The record also indicates that occupational exposure to Cr(VI) may
result in asthma, and damage to the nasal epithelia and skin. In order to limit the risk for workers exposed to chromium in the USA, OSHA has reduced the permissible concentration of hexavalent chromium. OSHA standard: Although OSHA has been aware of the
risks of hexavalent chromium for many years the final standard (OSHA
1910.134) was published on February 28, 2006, outlining the “permissible
exposure limit” for hexavalent chromium (VI). The new exposure limit
(PEL) is 5 micrograms per cubic meter ( 5 μg/m 3)
on an 8-hour time-weighted average. There are three sub-standards
broken into various industrial groups in which OSHA will be
regulating:
- General Industry 29 CFR 1910.1026
- Shipyards 29 CFR 1915.1026
- Construction 29 CFR 1926.1126
The standard will be fully implemented by May 31, 2010. Those
industries exposed to hexavalent chromium need to have engineering
controls in place to reduce employee exposure, and comply with the new
standard.  Related EVISA Resources Link database: OSHA Regulation related to hexavalent chromium Link database: Toxicity of chromium species Link database: Industrial use of chromium Related EVISA News February, 15, 2010: Chromium speciation in solid matrices April 12, 2007: OSHA Agrees to Monitor Worker Exposure to
Hexavalent Chromium-Containing
Cement October 4, 2006: OSHA Issues Hexavalent Chromium Guidance for
Small Businesses February 28, 2006: OSHA Issues Final Standard on Hexavalent
Chromiumlast time modified: February 17, 2010
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