Hexavalent Chromium Safety

Hexavalent Chromium SafetyGeneral Industry

Image Credit: NASA

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Session Objectives

Identify the hazards of hexavalent chromiumImplement control measures that limit exposureUnderstand medical surveillance proceduresWear appropriate personal protective equipment

You will be able to:


What Is Hexavalent Chromium?• Chromium with a valence state of +6• Scientific abbreviation is Cr(VI)• Very toxic, strong

oxidizing agent• Man-made form of

chromium metal• Anticorrosive

• High temperatures convert chromium to Cr(VI)


Sources of Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium• Hexavalent chromium is mostly used in:

• Plating• Metal cleaning • Metal passivating

• As a corrosion inhibitor, it is used in liquid dip or specific paints


Common Operations with Potential for Exposure• Spraying

• Application with a spray gun

• Plating, coloring, passivating, or metal cleaning• Acid solution

generates gases• Welding and cutting

• Vaporizes chrome-containing metal

• Intense heat converts inert chromium to toxic form

Image Credit: NASA


How Cr(VI) Enters Your Body• Inhaling particulates,

vapors, fumes• Eye contact with

particulates, liquids, vapors, fumes

• Skin absorption • Ingestion of

particulates, liquids, vapors, fumes

• Injection through cut or puncture


How Cr(VI) Affects the Body

• Adverse health effects• Skin irritation or ulceration• Asthma• Eye damage• Kidney and

liver damage

Image Credit: WA Dept of Labor & Industries

• Types of exposure• Dosage• Acute effects• Chronic effects


Exposure Limits• Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

• Safe limit of exposure during 8-hour day• PEL for Cr(VI) is 5 micrograms per cubic meter (5 μg/m3) of air

• Action Level• 2.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2.5 μg/m3) • Triggers requirements for monitoring and medical surveillance


Monitoring Cr(VI) ExposureDetermine level of exposure• Identify any

overexposures• Collect exposure

data so that proper control methods can be selected

• Evaluate the effectiveness of control methods


Monitoring Exposure (cont.)

Two ways to monitor and determine exposure• Scheduled monitoring• Performance-oriented monitoring


Scheduled Monitoring• Below the action level

• Discontinue monitoring• At or above the action

level• Monitor every 6 months

until below action level• Above the PEL

• Monitor every 3 months until below the PEL


Performance-Oriented Monitoring• No fixed schedule for periodic monitoring• Flexibility for assessing exposure

• Air monitoring data• Historic data

• Combination of air monitoring, historical monitoring, or objective data


Additional MonitoringWhenever changes result in new or additional exposures:• Production process• Raw materials or equipment• Personnel• Work practices• Control methods• After emergencies and spill cleanup


Notification of Monitoring Results• Written notification

within 15 business days• Monitoring results• Corrective actions

• You can observe monitoring of Cr(VI)

Image Credit: Washington Dept. of Labor & Industries


Information Resource: The MSDS• A detailed written

description of a hazardous material

• Describes the risks, precautions, and remedies to exposure

• Must be readily available to you

• Read the MSDS before working with any hazardous material


MSDS (cont.)

• Material and manufacturer identity

• Hazardous ingredients and exposure levels (PEL or TLV)

• Physical and chemical properties

• Fire, explosion, and reactivity


MSDS (cont.)

Health hazards• Routes of entry• Symptoms of

exposure• First-aid and

emergency information


MSDS (cont.)

• Spills and leaks• Safe handling

and storage• PPE• Compliance

issues


Any Questions—Hazards, Monitoring, or MSDSs?Any questions about:• Hexavalent

chromium hazards?• Exposure and

monitoring issues?• MSDSs?


Average air concentration over an 8-hour period

Detailed description of a hazardous material

Safe limit of exposure during an 8-hour workday

Limit of exposure that triggers monitoring and medical surveillance

Exposure safety guideline established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) for the average adult

Permissable Exposure Limit (PEL)

Action Level

Time-Weighted Average (TWA)

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Threshold Limit Value (TLV)

Exercise—Hazard IdentificationExercise—Hazard Identification—Hazard Identification


Regulated Areas• Area where exposure

expected to exceed the PEL for Cr(VI)

• Access for authorized personnel only• Designated workers• Designated observers

of monitoring• Regulatory agency

personnel• No food, drink, gum,

smoking, or cosmetics allowed

Image Credit: Washington Dept. of Labor & Industries


Exposure Control— Engineered• Substitution• Isolation• Ventilation


Exposure Control—Work Practices• Inspect and maintain control equipment at

prescribed intervals• Do not deviate from procedures that make

maximum use of exposure control equipment

• Schedule and perform housekeeping and cleanup operations when fewest personnel are present

• Wear appropriate PPE when prescribed


Hygiene Practices• Use change rooms and washing facilities

• Keep PPE separate from street clothes• Remove contaminated clothing in

designated areas only• Always wash exposed body areas

thoroughly• Keep all eating and drinking areas clean• Keep all food, beverages, and hygiene

products out of work areas


Housekeeping• Keep surfaces free of Cr(VI) deposits• Clean up spills and releases promptly

• Use HEPA-filter vacuuming• Use dry shoveling, sweeping, or brushing where vacuum is ineffective

• Avoid using compressed air to clean• Only use sealable, impermeable, and

labeled bags or containers


Emergency Procedures• Eyes: Flush with water

for 15 minutes• Skin: Wash with soap

and water; remove contaminated clothing

• Inhalation: Move to fresh air

• Swallowing: Get emergency medical assistance


Emergency Response to Chromate Spills or Leaks• Evacuate the area

• Notify a supervisor or the emergency response team

• Stay away


Respiratory Equipment• During installation of

engineering controls• Performing

maintenance or nonroutine tasks

• Emergency response• When other controls

are inadequate• When other controls

are not feasible


What PPE Is Required?Goggles or face shield

Gloves

Full body suit or apron

Image credit: OSHA

Head protection

Image Credit: Web Soft Safety Solutions

Foot protection


PPE—Removal and Storage• Take off all PPE

when workshift or task is finished

• Do not remove PPE from the workplace except for laundering or disposal


PPE—Cleaning and Replacement• Do not blow on or

shake PPE• Place contaminated

PPE in sealed bags or closed containers

• Place PPE for laundry in marked bags or containers

• Wash exposed body areas thoroughly


Questions—Regulated Areas, Exposure Controls, PPE?Any questions about:• Regulated areas?• Engineering controls

or work practices?• Hygiene practices?• Housekeeping?• PPE?


Medical Surveillance• Required for each employee when:

• Exposed to Cr(VI) at or above the Action Level of 2.5 μg/m3

• Show signs or symptoms of exposure• Exposed during an emergency

• Provided by or under supervision of physician or licensed professional

• No cost to you


Medical Examinations• Medical and work

history• Physical examination• Additional tests

authorized by physician


Medical Exam Frequency• Within 30 days after initial work assignment• Annually• When signs of symptoms appear• Within 30 days of an exposure after an

emergency• End of employment


Medical Opinion• 30 days after exam

• Status of medical conditions related to Cr(VI) exposure

• Recommended limitations for PPE• Statement by physician that employee given results of exam and PPE information

• Information not related to Cr(VI) exposure not revealed to employer

• Provided to you within 2 weeks after medical opinion given


Medical and Sampling RecordsYou have the right to:• Get any Cr(VI)-related

medical records• Obtain air sampling

or other exposure data


Questions—Medical Surveillance?Any questions about:• Medical surveillance?• Medical surveillance

and exposure monitoring records?


Flush eyes with water for 15 minutesKeep surfaces clean of Cr(VI) depositsKeep all food and beverages away from Cr(VI) work areas

Make sure exhaust/ventilation systems are operating

Always wear respirators when prescribed

Housekeeping

Engineering Controls

Work Practices

Emergency Procedures

Hygiene Practices

Exercise—Hazard Identification —Hazard Identification


Key Points to Remember!Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is very hazardous to health—can be inhaled, swallowed, absorbed through skin and eyesDetermination of exposure made through initial air monitoringNotice given within 15 days if PEL exceededWork and housekeeping practices are for your protectionYou have the right to examine medical records and air sampling results

Hexavalent Chromium Safety

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