New Hexavalent Chromium standard enacted

On Feb. 28, OSHA issued a new regulation for occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium that takes effect at the end of this month. The standard will protect employees in the chemical industry from exposure to a chemical that causes lung cancer, nasal septum ulcerations, skin ulcerations and allergic reactions.

The new standard lowers the permissible exposure limit from 52 to 5 micrograms of Cr(VI) per cubic meter of air as an 8-hour time-weighted average. The standard also includes provisions relating to preferred measures for controlling exposure, respiratory protection, protective work clothing and equipment, hygiene areas and practices, medical surveillance, hazard communication and record keeping.

When engineering and work practice controls aren’t enough to maintain the low level of chromium, the rule requires companies to supply employees with respirators as supplementary protection. Companies must also provide PPE to employees, including gloves, aprons, coveralls, foot coverings and goggles.