OSHA and Hexavalent Chromium

This document is an overview of amendments made to several OSHA Standards that were published as a Final Rule on February 28, 2006. These changes address workers’ exposure to Hexavalent Chromium, (Chromium VI), and include three new Sections to 29 CFR. Refer to the Federal Register, Document 71:10099-10385 for a copy of the complete Publication, which includes a preamble, three new Sections, listing of other amendments and changes to tables.

Amended Standards
1910: Safety & Health Regulations for General Industry
1915: Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Shipyard Employment
1917: Marine Terminals
1918: Safety and Health Regulations for Long shoring
1926: Safety & Health Regulations for Construction

The three new sections are:
1910.1026
1915.1026
1926.1126
Refer to the end of this document for a more complete guide to the major amendments and additions.

Overview of the standards
The following is a very brief listing of key points addressed in the new standard.
Scope
1910.1026: general industry
1915.1026: shipyards, marine terminals and longshoring
1926.1126: construction
Permissible Exposure Limit
A TWA of 5 |?/m3 (0.005mg/m3)
Determining the worksite concentration & notification of exposed
Employees
Respiratory protection
Protective work clothes and equipment
Areas free from contamination for changing, washing, eating, & drinking
Housekeeping guidelines
Medical Surveillance
Training and Hazard Communication
Record Keeping

Provide Respirators: When the exposure is above the PEL and engineering controls are either inadequate in lowering the exposure so it is below the PEL, or if engineering controls are unfeasible, than respiratory protection shall be provided.
<2.5 |?/m3 (<0.0025 mg/m3); under the action level
no respiratory protection is required
<5 |?/m3 (<0.005 mg/m3); under the PEL
5 |?/m3 to <50 |?/m3 (0.005 to <0.05 mg/m3); worksite concentrations up to
10 times the PEL
Air-Purifying Half Mask with particulate filters
CFR-1 with:
Non-oil particulates: 42N95
Particulates with oil aerosols: 750R95, 75FFP100,
75FFP100NL, or 7580P100
For welding
5500 OR 7700 with 75FFP100, 75FFP100NL,
or with BP1002 backpack adapter & 7580P100 filters
Note: Cr(VI) can irritate the eyes, and direct contact with the eyes
may cause permanent damage. A full face piece respirator will
provide eye and face in addition to respiratory protection.
50 |?/m3 to <125 |?/m3 (0.05 to <0.125 mg/m3); worksite concentrations up
to 25 times the PEL
PAPR Loose fitting Face piece with HEPA filters
PA101 Primair with CA101 or CA101D Compact Air
blower/battery assembly, and 40HE HEPA filters
125 |?/m3 to <250 |?/m3 (0.125 to <0.25 mg/m3); worksite concentrations
up to 50 times the PEL
Air-Purifying Full Face piece with particulate filters
5400 or 7600 Series with 7580P100 or 75FFP100 filters
Non-oil particulates: 7506N95 or 7506N99
Particulates with oil aerosols: 7506R95, 75FFP100,
75FFP100NL or 7580P100
For welding
5400W or 7600W (w/welding adapter), with 75FFP100,
75FFP100NL or 75800P100 filters
PAPR Half Mask with HEPA filters
5500 or 7700 Series with CA102 or CA102D Compact Air
blower/battery assembly, and 40HE HEPA filters
For welding
5500 or 7700 Series with CA102 or CA102D Compact Air
blower/battery assembly, and 40HE HEPA filters
Supplied Air Half Mask
5500 or 7700 Series with cf2007 airline adaptor.
For Welding
5500 or 7700 Series with CF2007 airline adapter

250 |?/m3 to <250 |?/m3 to <5,000 |?/m3 (0.25 to <5 mg/m3); worksite
Concentrations up to 1,000 times the PEL
PAPR full face piece or hood with HEPA filters
5400 or 7600 with CA102 or CA102D Compact Air PAPR
blower/battery assembly, and 40HE HEPA filters
PA111 or PA121 Primair Plus hood with CA101 or CA101D
Compact Air blower/battery assembly, and 40HE HEPA filters
For welding
5400W or 7600W Series (w/ welding adapter), CA102 or CA102D
Compact Air blower/battery assembly, and 40HE
HEPA filters
Provide Respirators: When the exposure is above the PEL and
engineering controls are either inadequate in lowering the exposure
so it is below the PEL, or if engineering controls are unfeasible,
than respiratory protection shall be provided.
<2.5 |?/m3 (<0.0025 mg/m3); under the action level
no respiratory protection is required
<5 |?/m3 (<0.005 mg/m3); under the PEL
no respiratory protection is required
5 |?/m3 to <50 |?/m3 (0.005 to <0.05 mg/m3); worksite
concentration up to 10 times the PEL
Air-Purifying Half Mask with particulate filters
CFR-1 with:
Non-oil particulates: 42N95
Particulates with oil aerosols: 42N95
5500 or 7700 Series with:
Non-oil particulates: 7506N95 or 7506N99
Particulates with oil aerosols: 7506R95,
75FFP100, 75FFP100NL, or 7580P100
Note: Cr(VI) can irritate the eyes, and direct
Contact with the eyes may cause permanent damage.
A full face piece respirator will provide eye and face
In addition to respiratory protection.
50|?/m3 to <125 |?/m3 (0.125 to <0.25 mg/m3); worksite
concentrations up to 50 times the PEL
PAPR Loose Fitting face piece with HEPA filters
5400 or 7600 Series with 7580P100 or 75FFP100 filters
125 |?/m3 to <125 |?/m3 to <250 |?/m3 (0.125 to <0.25 mg/m3);
worksite concentration up to 50 times the PEL
Air-Purifying Full Face piece with particulate filters
5400 or 7600 Series with 7580P100 or 75FFP100
filters
Non-oil particulates: 750N95 OR 750N99
Particulates with oil aerosols: 7506R95,
75FFP100, 75FFP100NL, or 7580P100
For welding
5400W or 7600W Series (w/welding adaptor),
75FFP100, 75FFP100NL, or 7580P100 filters
PAPR Half Mask with HEPA filters
5400 or 7600 with CA102 or CA102D Compact Air PAPR
blower/battery assembly, and 40HE HEPA filters
For welding
5500 or 7700 Series with CA102 or CA102D Compact
Air blower/battery assembly and 40HE HEPA filters
Supplied Air Half Mask
5500 or 7700 Series with CF2007 airline adaptor.
For welding
5500 or 7700 Series with CF2007 airline adaptor
250 |?/m3 to <5,000 |?/m3 (0.25 to <5 mg/m3); worksite
concentration up to 1000 times the PEL
PAPR full face piece or hood with HEPA filters
5400 or 7600 Series with CA102 or CA102D Compact
Air PAPR blower/battery assembly, and 40HE HEPA
Filters
PA111 or PA121 Primair Plus hood with CA101 or
CA101D Compact Air blower/battery assembly, and
40HE HEPA filters
For welding
5400W or 7600W Series (w/ welding adaptor),
CA102 or CA102D Compact Air PAPR
blower/battery assembly, and 40HE HEPA
Filters
This information is provided “as is”, in the form of an informational guide, and is not to be considered a warranty of product performance. Due to the diverse field conditions and other variables which can affect a product’s performance, Calolympic Safety disclaims all warranties (expressed and implied) as to any product’s performance or any information provided.


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