CFR 174A - Hexavalent Chromium

Following a court mandate to promulgate a final rule for Hexavalent Chromium (VI), federal OSHA published this new final rule on February 28, 2006. 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. On June 23, 2006, federal OSHA issued an amendment to the standard to correct errors in the final rule addressing occupational exposure to Hexavalent chromium that appeared in the February 28, 2006, Federal Register. The N.C. Commissioner of Labor adopted this amendment with effective dates of August 24, 2006, (for 29 CFR 1926) and November 22, 2006 (for 29 CFR Parts 1910 and 1915). Refer to the 06/23/2006 Federal Register (Vol. 71, No. 121) for the details related to these requirements.

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 174 - 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.