Hexavalent chromium stainless steel8/31/2023 It is best to seek the assistance of an experienced Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) where overexposures have occurred-or are likely to occur-to provide guidance and exposure reduction assistance. The conditions during welding involving Hexavalent Chromium can vary radically from welder to welder and day to day. In the event sampling of a worker for hex chrome exceeds the ACTION LEVEL, re-sampling must be done within 6 months until 2 consecutive samplings is below the ACTION LEVEL. If the initial sampling of a welder for hex chrome exceeds the PEL, re-sampling must occur within 3 months and 2 consecutive samplings must be below the Action Level to discontinue sampling. The minimum protection for hex chrome and other welding fume components is an N-95 respirator or half-face respirator with HEPA filters. 3) When engineering control is not feasible or not sufficient to control exposure. 2) As a supplement to engineering controls. 1) As a temporary control while engineering controls are being implemented. Respiratory Protection – In an overexposure situation, OSHA only allows respiratory protection.This may involve the use of two or more rotating welders or ensuring that one welder works no more on a “hex chrome” task during a single shift so that they do not exceed the ACTION LEVEL EXPOSURE (in this case 2.5 ug/M 3) for hexavalent chromium. Work Practice Controls – This involves the control of welding fume exposure through the welder rotating to non-exposure tasks.Floor fans or general air flow using wall or ceiling fans can be considered. This can only be done in a generally open space so the welding fumes do not expose other workers to the fumes. General Exhaust Ventilation – This simply involves air movement to carry the welding fumes away from the welder’s breathing zone.Care must be taken not to locate the exhaust close enough to the weld point to interfere with the inert gas shield at the weld point. Local Exhaust Ventilation – Often an “elephant trunk” exhaust system can be used where welding is relatively stationary.TIG releases the least amount of fume including hexavalent chromium. Often the heaviest exposure potential exists with “stick welding.” Possibly change to MIG or TIG welding which will likely reduce the amount of welding fumes. Automate the welding if possible-this separates the worker from the direct exposure to the welding fume-and thus-the Hexavalent Chromium.Several possible ways are available to “engineer out” the exposure. If initial sampling identifies welder’s overexposure to hex chrome, the standard requires an effort to engineer out the exposure. The most likely workers exposed are welders and those assisting the welders or in the immediate area. This OSHA Standard requires initial worker sampling in any activity that could contain Chromium and thus potentially overexpose that person to Hexavalent Chromium. The hexavalent chromium regulation went into effect on May 31, 2010. OSHA has identified Chrome 6 ( CrVI) as a carcinogen and now has a specific regulation related to worker exposure. Also, welding rods may also contain chromium that can form into Hexavalent Chromium when heated/melted during welding activities. Overexposure to Hex Chrome can also occur on many forms of carbon steel since many steel alloys contain chromium. Welders have the potential to be overexposed to Hexavalent Chromium, also called Hex Chrome, or Chrome 6 during welding especially if its production welding, or full shift welding on stainless steel. Sheriff, MS, CIH, CSP, PresidentįebruHexavalent Chromium (Hex Chrome) Control During Welding-Protecting Welders If you need hexavalent chromium (hex chrome) testing/sampling as discussed in this article, call us at 97 or e-mail us at for details and a free estimate. Safety/Loss Control News and Technical Articles.IAQ and Mold News and Technical Articles.Industrial Hygiene News and Technical Articles.Environmental News and Technical Articles.
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