The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued its new standard limiting occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium, or Cr(VI). Why is this of importance to the automotive repair industry?
Because Cr(VI) compounds are widely used in the chemical industry as ingredients and catalysts in pigments, metal plating and chemical synthesis, they have been a part of automotive coating products. Evidence indicates that workers exposed to Cr(VI) are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer.
The new standard lowers OSHA's permissible exposure limit (PEL) for all Cr(VI) compounds, from 52 to 5 micrograms of Cr(VI) per cubic meter of air as an 8-hour time-weighted average. The standard also includes provisions relating to preferred methods for controlling exposure, respiratory protection, protective work clothing and equipment, hygiene areas and practices, medical surveillance, hazard communication and recordkeeping.
Some of the chemicals that contain Cr(VI) are lead chromium, lead chromate, strontium chromate, sodium dichromate, and zinc chromate.
To determine if an automotive coating product contains any of these chemicals, read the product label and examine its Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). If additional information is need, contact the product manufacturer.
Here are some ways OSHA seeks to minimize exposure to Cr(VI) in the automotive repair industry:
- Respiratory Protection – Use of an airline respirator, rather than an air-purifying fume respirator, will provide the best protection
- Protective Clothing – Including coveralls, head coverings, goggles, gloves, and Tyvec suits
- Local Exhaust Ventilation – Better ventilation in mixing rooms
- Medical Surveillance – All employees that are users of Cr(VI) examined annually
- Record-Keeping – Training and medical records kept on hand for three years
- Hazard Communication – Cr(VI) included in HazCom plan.
- Sample and Monitor – Check the breathing air zone for concentration of Cr(VI)
- Spraying Operations – Confine spraying to paint booths with approved respirators at all times
Cr(VI) exposure can be avoided following proper safety techniques; however, the best way to avoid exposure is to heed all warnings regarding the presence of Cr(VI) and select materials that do not contain Cr(VI).
The final rule was published in the Federal Register on February 28, so remember:
- The final rule goes into effect 90 days after the publication date.
- The start-up date for all provisions, except engineering controls, is 180 days after the effective date for employers with 20 or more employees;
- The start-up date for all provisions, except engineering controls, is one year after the effective date for employers with 19 or fewer employees;
- The start-up date for engineering controls is changed to four years after the effective date for all employers.
If you need additional information on Cr(VI), please reference the following web sites:
• http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hexavalentchromium/index.html
• http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hexchrom/
• http://www.epa.gov/iris/toxreviews/0144-tr.pdf
