by jbs011910 e3 — January 20, 2010—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently published Hexavalent Chromium (.pdf file), a booklet outlining industry requirements for hexavalent chromium standards. Workers exposed to this toxic chemical can experience allergic reactions or asthmatic symptoms, and can develop lung cancer or damage to the nose, throat and respiratory system, says OSHA.
Hexavalent chromium is used in pigments, metal finishing, wood preservatives and fungicides. Workers may also be exposed to hexavalent chromium fumes generated during welding of chromium metal alloys.
The booklet explains OSHA’s hexavalent chromium standards in a reader-friendly format. It is a companion document to the Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Hexavalent Chromium Standards published in 2006. Requirements for exposure limits, exposure monitoring and determination, protective work clothing and equipment, medical surveillance, communication of hexavalent chromium hazards, and recordkeeping are described.
The booklet is available under the Hot Topics section on OSHA’s Hexavalent Chromium Web page.
