If any of your employees work with this hexavalent chromium, OSHA says you have to train them on its dangers and on safety precautions
Workers in many different occupations are exposed to hexavalent chromium. Occupational exposures occur mainly among workers who:
- Handle dry chromate-containing pigments.
- Spray chromate-containing paints and coatings.
- Operate chrome plating baths.
- Weld or cut chromium-containing metals, such as stainless steel.
If any of your employees work with this hazardous chemical, you need to train them on its dangers and on safety precautions. Share the health hazards of hexavalent chromium listed in “Why It Matters” with your employees. These hazards make it vital to give your employees the information they need to stay safe working around this material.
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The OSHA standard that specifically applies to hexavalent chromium can be found in 29 CFR 1910.1026. Give your employees an overview of the standard’s requirements, including:
- Permissible Exposure Level (PEL): The OSHA PEL of airborne hexavalent chromium is 5 µg/m3, calculated as an 8-hour TWA.
- Action Level: A concentration of airborne hexavalent chromium of 2.5 µg/m3, calculated as an 8-hour TWA.
- Exposure Monitoring: An employer must perform initial monitoring to determine the 8-hour TWA exposure for each employee. A sufficient number of personal breathing zone air samples must be used to accurately characterize full-shift exposure on each shift, for each job classification, and in each work area. The employer also has the option of conducting representative sampling in which samples must be taken where the highest exposure to hexavalent chromium is expected. Affected employees or their designated representatives must have the opportunity to observe any monitoring of employee exposure to hexavalent chromium.
Train your employees to follow safe practices to protect themselves from hexavalent chromium hazards. Instruct them to:
- Wear respiratory protection when required.
- Wear protective clothing and eye and face protection if there is the potential that hexavalent chromium can come in contact with eyes or skin.
- Always use change rooms and washing facilities provided before eating, drinking, smoking, or using the toilet.
- Remove contaminated clothing before entering designated eating and drinking areas.
- Use HEPA filter vacuuming to keep surfaces as free as possible of material containing hexavalent chromium.
- Collect and dispose of all waste in sealed, impermeable containers.
- For eye exposure, flush area immediately for at least 15 minutes and get medical attention.
- For skin exposure, wash thoroughly with soap and water. Get medical attention if irritation persists.
- For inhalation, move the person to fresh air and get medical attention.
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Why It Matters
- Hexavalent chromium enters the body in two ways: (1) chromium can be inhaled when chromium dust, mist, or fumes are in the air, and (2) particles of chromium can be swallowed if the dust gets on hands, clothing, or beard, or in food or beverages.
- Hexavalent chromium can irritate the respiratory tract in the nose, throat, and lungs. Repeated or prolonged exposure can damage the mucous membranes of the nasal passages and cause ulcers to form. In some cases, the damage is so severe that the septum (the wall separating the nasal passages) develops a hole in it.
- Prolonged skin contact can result in dermatitis and skin ulcers. Some workers develop an allergic sensitization to chromium. In sensitized workers, contact with even small amounts can cause a serious skin rash. Kidney damage has been linked to high dermal exposures.
- Hexavalent chromium is an eye irritant. Direct eye contact with chromic acid or chromate dusts can cause permanent eye damage.