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OSHA News Release
2004 - 10/01/2004 - OSHA Proposes Revised Rule on Hexavalent Chromium |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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OSHA Trade Release Oct. 1, 2004 Contact: Bill Wright Phone: (202) 693-1999 OSHA Proposes Revised Rule on Hexavalent Chromium
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration will publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for occupational exposure to Hexavalent Chromium in the Oct. 4, 2004 Federal Register. OSHA is proposing three separate standards that cover exposure to hexavalent chromium (CrVI) in general industry, construction, and shipyards. The Agency is accepting public comments on the proposed standards until Jan. 3, 2005. "The risks involved in the occupational use of hexavalent chromium can be serious and potentially life threatening," said OSHA Administrator John Henshaw. "This proposed rule is both economically and technologically feasible, and will substantially reduce the risk to workers potentially exposed to hexavalent chromium." OSHA is proposing to lower its permissible exposure limit (PEL) for hexavalent chromium and for all CrVI compounds in construction, shipyards, and general industry from 52 to one microgram of CrVI per cubic meter of air as an 8-hour time weighted average. The proposed rule also includes provisions for employee protection such as preferred methods for controlling exposure, respiratory protection, protective work clothing and equipment, hygiene areas and practices, medical surveillance, hazard communication, and recordkeeping. 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 major health effects associated with exposure to CrVI include lung cancer, asthma, nasal septum ulcerations and perforations, skin ulcerations (or chrome holes), and allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. Comments, whether submitted by mail, fax, or electronically, must be sent by Jan. 3, 2005. Three copies of written comments must be sent to the Docket Office, Docket H054A, Room N-2625, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C., 20210. Comments of 10 pages or fewer can be faxed to the OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693-1648. Comments can be submitted electronically at http://ecomments.osha.gov. Further information on submitting comments can be obtained by calling the Docket Office at (202) 693-2350. OSHA plans to hold an informal public hearing in Washington, D.C., beginning on February 1, 2005. The meeting is expected to be held from 9:30-5:30 p.m. on each day. Interested persons who intend to present testimony at the hearing must notify OSHA of their intention to do so no later than Dec. 3, 2004. Individuals who request more than 10 minutes to present their testimony, or who will submit documentary evidence at the hearing, must provide the Agency with full testimony and all documentary evidence by Jan. 3, 2005. Major provisions of the general industry, construction and maritime standards are outlined in the accompanying Fact Sheet. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. # # #
FACT SHEET MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE PROPOSED STANDARDS FOROCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM
This news release text is on the Internet at http://www.osha.gov. Information on this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-1999. |
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