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Safety and Health Topics |
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| Hexavalent Chromium |
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In Focus |
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Chromium hexavalent (CrVI) compounds, often called
hexavalent chromium, exist in several forms. Industrial uses of hexavalent
chromium compounds include chromate pigments in dyes, paints, inks, and
plastics; chromates added as anticorrosive agents to paints, primers, and other
surface coatings; and chromic acid electroplated onto metal parts to provide a
decorative or protective coating. Hexavalent chromium can also be formed when
performing "hot work" such as welding on stainless steel or melting chromium
metal. In these situations the chromium is not originally hexavalent, but the
high temperatures involved in the process result in oxidation that converts the
chromium to a hexavalent state.
The following questions link to information relevant to hexavalent chromium hazards in the workplace.
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What OSHA standards apply?
Standards | Federal Registers | Directives | Standard Interpretations |
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What is hexavalent chromium and what are its potential health
effects?
Properties | Health Effects |
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How
is hexavalent chromium exposure evaluated?
Exposure Limits | OSHA Methods | NIOSH Methods |
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What are some possible solutions for workplace hazards?
Welding | Electroplating | Autobody Repair |
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What additional information is available?
Related Safety and Health Topics Pages | Other Resources |
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In Focus |
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Hot Topics
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Preventing Skin Problems from Working with Portland Cement. OSHA, (2008).
Employees may suffer dermal hazards in working with wet cement such as
cement burns (due to its caustic nature) and inflammation of the skin
(either due to irritant or allergic contact dermatitis). This guidance
addresses ways to prevent or minimize skin problems through the proper
selection and use of gloves, boots and other personal protective equipment
such as kneepads; proper skin care and work practices such as use of pH
neutral or slightly acidic soaps; and ways of making cement products less
hazardous.
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OSHA Issues Enforcement Procedures Directive for New Hexavalent Chromium
Standards. OSHA Trade News Release, (2008, February 4).
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Hexavalent Chromium Settlement with the National Association of
Manufacturers and Specialty Steel Industry of North America. OSHA Trade
News Release, (2007, May 21). Includes links to the Settlement Agreement and
OSHA's letter of interpretation issued as a result of the agreement.
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Hexavalent Chromium Settlement with Building Construction and Trades
Department, AFL-CIO, Laborers' International Union of North America, and
International Brotherhood of Teamsters. OSHA Trade News Release, (2007,
April 19). Includes links to the Settlement Agreement and OSHA's new
Portland Cement Inspection Procedures for construction sites.
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Hexavalent Chromium Settlement with the Surface Finishing Industry Council. OSHA, (2006). Includes links to the Federal Register
Notice, the Settlement Agreement, and the Declaration of Party
Status to be completed and signed for each facility an employer intends to make a party
to the agreement.
- Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Hexavalent Chromium Standards.
OSHA Publication 3320, (2006), 286 KB
PDF, 63 pages. Describes the steps that employers are required to take
to protect employees from hazards associated with exposure to Cr(VI) and provides more
detail than the standards to help employers better understand the
requirements.
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Health Effects of Hexavalent Chromium. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2006,
July), 24 KB PDF, 2 pages.
Provides a concise list of industrial sources, symptoms and health effects of exposure to
hexavalent chromium, and OSHA requirements for the protection of employees.
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