Hexavalent Chromium Bryan Seal CIH CSP What is
Hexavalent Chromium Bryan Seal, CIH, CSP
What is it? • Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a toxic form of the element chromium. Hexavalent chromium is rarely found in nature and is generally man-made. • There has been a general decline in the use of chromates in favor of less toxic inorganic and organic pigments where possible.
Health Effects • Lung Cancer • Irritation or damage to nasal passage and respiratory tract • Irritation or damage to the eyes and skin
Industries • Industries – Aerospace – Automotive – Steel Mills/Foundries – Chemical and Dye Producers – Shipyards – Construction
Who’s at risk? • Tasks – Electroplating & Aluminum Etching – Welding – Painting – Sanding, Grinding, Cutting – Salvage operations – Woodworking
How workers can help? • • Identify Reduce exposure Wear PPE Hygiene
What Is OSHA Doing? • Standards – Final Rule – Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 39, February 28, 2006 • Outreach (Guidance Documents) – Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Hexavalent Chromium Standards (OSHA 3320 -10 N-2006) – Hexavalent Chromium (OSHA 3373 -10 -2009)
What is OSHA Doing? • National Emphasis Program – Hexavalent Chromium (CPL 02 -02 -076, 2/23/2010) – Regional Emphasis Program Involving Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium (VI) (201202 CPL 04, October 2012) • Compliance Directive – Inspection Procedures for the Chromium (VI) Standards (CPL 02 -02 -074, 1/24/2008)
Letters of Interpretation (LOIs) • 11/14/2006 1910. 1026(d)(3) Use of "objective data" to accurately characterize employee exposures to hexavalent chromium during welding operations. • 01/25/2007 1910. 1026(h)(1) Wearing short-sleeved shirts while performing a thermal spray operation with exposure to hexavalent chromium fumes. • 05/31/2007 1910. 1026; 1026(a)(4); 1026(b); 1026(c); 1026(f)(1); 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.
LOIs 2008/2009 • 03/27/2008 1910. 1026 Clarification of employer's obligation to include social security numbers on employee exposure records. • 06/29/2009 1910. 1026 OSHA has no authority to ban use of hexavalent chromium.
LOIs 2010/2011 • 09/30/2010 1910. 1026; 1026(d)(2); 1026(j) Clarification of monitoring and sampling requirements for hexavalent chromium. • 02/23/2011 1910. 1026; 1026(i); 1026(j) Applicability of the hexavalent chromium standard to welders. [02/23/2011] • 09/02/2011 1910. 1026; 1026(h)(1); 1026(i)(1) Clarification of the Chromium (VI) Standard - Change Rooms and Hygiene Practices.
Wrap-up • Identify, Quantify, Control • Questions? ? • Thank you for your attention
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