Sept. 22, 2006: Hexavalent Chromium Air Monitoring Checklist Available
WASHINGTON - The compliance date for the main provisions of the new Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) standard for hexavalent chromium is Nov. 27, 2006 for employers with 20 or more employees, and May 30, 2007 for employers with 19 or fewer employees. If necessary, engineering controls to maintain air-monitoring results below the permissible exposure limits, such as modified ventilation systems, are not required until May 31, 2010.
Hexavalent chromium is a chemical byproduct generated when welding on stainless steel, and to a lesser extent, galvanized steel and chrome-coated metals. In addition, low levels of hexavalent chromium may be an ingredient of the welding rods and wires used in the welding processes.