October 17, 2004—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) just announced that it is proposing standards that cover exposure to hexavalent chromium in general industry, construction, and shipyards. In addition to lowering the permissible exposure limit of the compound, the proposals include provisions for worker protection including preferred methods for controlling exposure, respiratory protection, personal protective equipment, recordkeeping, and more.
Hexavalent chromium (CrVI) compounds are widely used in the chemical industry in pigments, metal plating, and chemical synthesis as ingredients and catalysts. CrVI can also be produced when welding on stainless steel or CrVI-painted surfaces.
The proposal will be published in the October 4, 2004 Federal Register OSHA welcomes public comments; they should be forwarded to the agency by January 3, 2005. OSHA also plans an informal public hearing on the issue beginning February 1, 2005, in Washington.
