CFR 174 - Hexavalent Chromium

Following a court mandate to promulgate a final rule for 29 CFR 1910.1026, 29 CFR 1915.1026, 29 CFR 1926.1126 - Hexavalent Chromium (VI), federal OSHA published this new final rule on February 28, 2006 (Federal Register). This final rule sets an action level of 2.5 ug/m3 as an 8 hour time-weighted average and a permissible exposure level of 5 ug/m3 as an 8 hour time-weighted average. Additionally, the standard has requirements for initial and periodic monitoring, medical surveillance, personal protective equipment and respiratory protection, engineering and work practice controls and employee information and training. 

Changes were also made to the 29 CFR 1910.1000 - Air contaminants, TABLE Z-1 Limits for Air Contaminants and Z-2 tables, to the 29 CFR 1915.1000 - Air contaminants, Z table, and to Appendix A of 29 CFR 1926.55 - Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists to reference the new Hexavalent Chromium standard for each part. The N.C. Commissioner of Labor adopted this final rule verbatim with an effective date of May 30, 2006 with additional start-up dates noted in 1910.1026(n), 1915.1026(l) and 1926.1126(l). Access earlier Federal Registers including Preamble.  

Also reference CPL 02-02-074 - Inspection Procedures for the Chromium (VI) Standards, OPN 135, Special Emphasis Programs for Health Hazards, OSHA Technical Manual (TED 01-00-015), CFR 174A - Hexavalent Chromium, and CFR 174B - Hexavalent Chromium. Additional information and resources can be found on the safety and health topic page for Hexavalent Chromium, Chemical Hazards and Toxic Substances and Health Hazards Special Emphasis Program. To identify if this rule applies, go to "Do your employees have occupational exposure to chromium (VI)?" for general industry, "Do your employees have occupational exposure to chromium (VI)?" for construction or "Do your employees have occupational exposure to chromium (VI)?" for shipyard employment.