Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium Cr(VI)
Safety Precautions
Controlling exposure to hexavalent chromium (chromium VI) is vital to protect workers' health.
Provide appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment to protect workers from exposure to hexavalent chromium.
To protect employees from the hazards associated with Hexavalent Chromium, employers should do the following:
- Establish regulated areas wherever employee exposure to Cr(VI) is, or can reasonably be expected to be, in excess of the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL).
- Limit the eight-hour time-weighted average exposure to chromium VI (hexavalent chromium) to five micrograms per cubic meter of air (5 ug/m3).
- Perform periodic monitoring at least every 6 months if initial monitoring shows employee exposure at or above the action level (2.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average).
- Provide appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment when there is likely to be a hazard present from skin or eye contact.
- Implement good personal hygiene and housekeeping practices to prevent hexavalent chromium exposure.
- Prohibit employee rotation as a method to achieve compliance with the exposure limit (PEL).
- Provide respiratory protection as specified in the standard.
- Make available medical examinations to employees within 30 days of initial assignment, annually, to those exposed in an emergency situation, to those who experience signs or symptoms of adverse health effects associated with hexavalent chromium exposure, to those who are or may be exposed at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year, and at termination of employment.
For more information on Hexavalent Chromium, download OSHA's Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Hexavalent Chromium Standards
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8-11. What should employers do to protect their employees from Chromium exposure?
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