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Hexavalent Chromium Safety

Hexavalent Chromium Safety. General Industry. Image Credit: NASA. Session Objectives. Identify the hazards of hexavalent chromium Implement control measures that limit exposure Understand medical surveillance procedures Wear appropriate personal protective equipment. You will be able to:.

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Hexavalent Chromium Safety

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  1. Hexavalent Chromium Safety General Industry Image Credit: NASA

  2. Session Objectives • Identify the hazards of hexavalent chromium • Implement control measures that limit exposure • Understand medical surveillance procedures • Wear appropriate personal protective equipment You will be able to:

  3. 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)

  4. 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

  5. Common Operations with Potential for Exposure • Spraying • Application with a spray gun • Plating, coloring, passivating, or metal cleaning • Acid solutiongenerates gases • Welding and cutting • Vaporizes chrome-containing metal • Intense heat converts inert chromium to toxic form Image Credit: NASA

  6. 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

  7. Image Credit: WA Dept of Labor & Industries How Cr(VI) Affects the Body • Types of exposure • Dosage • Acute effects • Chronic effects • Adverse health effects • Skin irritation or ulceration • Asthma • Eye damage • Kidney and liver damage

  8. 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

  9. Monitoring Cr(VI) Exposure • Determine level of exposure • Identify any overexposures • Collect exposure data so that proper control methods can be selected • Evaluate the effectiveness of control methods

  10. Monitoring Exposure (cont.) • Two ways to monitor and determine exposure • Scheduled monitoring • Performance-oriented monitoring

  11. 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

  12. 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

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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. MSDS (cont.) • Material and manufacturer identity • Hazardous ingredients and exposure levels (PEL or TLV) • Physical and chemical properties • Fire, explosion, and reactivity

  17. MSDS (cont.) • Health hazards • Routes of entry • Symptoms of exposure • First-aid and emergency information

  18. MSDS (cont.) • Spills and leaks • Safe handling and storage • PPE • Compliance issues

  19. Any Questions—Hazards, Monitoring, or MSDSs? • Any questions about: • Hexavalent chromium hazards? • Exposure and monitoring issues? • MSDSs?

  20. Exercise—HazardIdentification Exercise—Hazard Identification —HazardIdentification • Average air concentration over an 8-hour period • Permissable Exposure Limit (PEL) • Action Level • Time-Weighted Average (TWA) • Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) • Threshold Limit Value (TLV) • Detailed description of a hazardous material • Safe limit of exposure during an 8-hour workday • Exposure safety guideline established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) for the average adult • Limit of exposure that triggers monitoring and medical surveillance

  21. Image Credit: Washington Dept. of Labor & Industries 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

  22. Exposure Control— Engineered • Substitution • Isolation • Ventilation

  23. 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

  24. 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 Hygiene Practices

  25. 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 Housekeeping

  26. 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

  27. Emergency Response to Chromate Spills or Leaks • Evacuate the area • Notify a supervisor or the emergency response team • Stay away

  28. 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

  29. Goggles or face shield Head protection Gloves Full body suit or apron Foot protection Image credit: OSHA Image Credit: Web Soft Safety Solutions What PPE Is Required?

  30. 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

  31. 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

  32. Questions—Regulated Areas, Exposure Controls, PPE? • Any questions about: • Regulated areas? • Engineering controls or work practices? • Hygiene practices? • Housekeeping? • PPE?

  33. 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

  34. Medical Examinations • Medical and work history • Physical examination • Additional tests authorized by physician

  35. 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

  36. 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

  37. Medical and Sampling Records • You have the right to: • Get any Cr(VI)-related medical records • Obtain air sampling or other exposure data

  38. Questions—Medical Surveillance? • Any questions about: • Medical surveillance? • Medical surveillance and exposure monitoring records?

  39. Exercise—HazardIdentification —HazardIdentification • Housekeeping • Engineering Controls • Work Practices • Emergency Procedures • Hygiene Practices • Flush eyes with water for 15 minutes • Keep surfaces clean of Cr(VI) deposits • Keep all food and beverages away from Cr(VI) work areas • Always wear respirators when prescribed • Make sure exhaust/ventilation systems are operating

  40. Key Points to Remember! Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is very hazardous to health—can be inhaled, swallowed, absorbed through skin and eyes Determination of exposure made through initial air monitoring Notice given within 15 days if PEL exceeded Work and housekeeping practices are for your protection You have the right to examine medical records and air sampling results

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