OSHA has issued a new compliance directive for occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). The directive, OSHA Instruction CPL 02-02-074, Inspection Procedures for the Chromium (VI) Standards, was effective January 24, 2008.
Background:
Hexavalent chromium compounds are regularly used
in the chemical industry in pigments, metal plating and chemical
synthesis. They also occur as a side product in cement, leather and in welding fumes. Significant health effects associated with exposure to
Cr(VI) are lung cancer, nasal septum ulcerations and perforations, skin
ulcerations, and allergic and irritant contact dermatitis.
The OSHA standards lower the permissible exposure limit for hexavalent
chromium to 5 micrograms of Cr(VI) per cubic meter of air as an 8-hour
time-weighted average.
The Cr(VI) standards, which were originally published in the Feb. 28, 2006, Federal Register,
are applicable to general industry, construction, and shipyards
(Sections 29 CFR 1910.1026, 29 CFR 1926.1126 and 29 CFR 1915.1026,
respectively). These standards became effective on May 30, 2006. Employers with 20 or
more employees were given six months from the effective date to comply
with most of the provisions. Employers with less than 20 employees were
allowed 12 months from the effective date to come into compliance with
most of the provisions. All employers were given four years from the
effective date to install feasible engineering controls.
The new Compliance directive:
"This new directive provides guidance for enforcement of the final
rule on hexavalent chromium standards," said Assistant Secretary of
Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "OSHA anticipates these efforts
will reduce the risks of exposure to Cr(VI), thereby improving the
safety and health of employees affected by this hazard."
Highlights of the new Cr(VI) directive include:
- procedures for
reviewing an employer's air sampling records to determine exposure
levels;
- guidance on how employers can implement effective engineering
and work practice controls to reduce and maintain exposure below
approved permissible exposure limits;
- requirements for employers to
provide hygiene areas to minimize employees' exposure to Cr(VI);
- guidelines requiring employers to maintain exposure and medical
surveillance records;
- and a requirement that CSHOs evaluate portland
cement wherever it is being used.
Related Documents
OSHA Instruction CPL 02-02-074
Related News
EVISA News, May 17, 2007: Hexavalent Chromium in Drinking Water Causes Cancer in Lab Animals
EVISA News, April 12, 2007: OSHA Agrees to Monitor Worker Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium-Containing Cement
OSHA, April 11, 2007: Building Trades Department Settles Lawsuit Over Hexa-Chromium
EVISA News, October 4, 2006: OSHA Issues Hexavalent Chromium Guidance for Small Businesses
NBNnews, March 6, 2006: Portland Cement Excluded From New OSHA Standard
EVISA News, February 28, 2006: OSHA Issues Final Standard on Hexavalent Chromium
PublicCitizen, October 4, 2004: OSHA’s Proposed Rules for Hexavalent Chromium Exposure Don’t Go Far Enough
The Fabricator: November 9, 2004: OSHA Proposes Revised Rule on Hexavalent Chromium
last time modified: June 25, 2020
