Hexavalent Chromium

One of the most dangerous chemicals hot work operators are exposed to is hexavalent chromium. It has its own regulations for general industry under 29 CFR 1926.1126. Frequent exposure to hexavalent chromium has been shown to cause cancer. Additionally, the compound can negatively affect an exposed employee's respiratory system, kidneys, liver, skin, and eyes.

Employers are required to perform initial monitoring of hexavalent chromium levels to determine the 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) exposure for each employee on the basis of a sufficient number of personal breathing zone air samples to accurately characterize exposure on each shift, for each job classification, and in each work area. If an employer does representative sampling instead of sampling all employees, the employer must also sample the employee(s) expected to have the highest level of chromium exposure.

If initial monitoring indicates that employee exposures are below the action level, the employer may discontinue monitoring for those employees whose exposures are represented by such monitoring. If monitoring reveals employee exposures to be at or above the action level, the employer must perform periodic monitoring at least every six months.

If monitoring reveals employee exposures to be above the permissible exposure limit (PEL), the employer must perform periodic monitoring at least every three months. If the periodic monitoring indicates that employee exposures have fallen below the action level, and the result is confirmed by the result of another observation taken at least a week later, the employer may discontinue the monitoring for those employees whose exposures are represented by such monitoring.

Employers must perform additional monitoring whenever there is any change in the production process, raw materials, equipment, personnel, work practices, or control methods that may result in new or additional exposures to chromium or when the employer has any reason to believe that new or additional exposures have occurred.

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