Micro Air® Sends Alert on New OSHA Ruling
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Micro Air® Sends Alert On New OSHA Ruling
WICHITA, KS -- Micro Air Clean Air Systems sent a news alert on March 1 to their distributors announcing the new OSHA ruling regarding Hexavalent Chromium. The long-awaited ruling was announced on February 28 in the Federal Register.
In the alert, Micro Air spokesman Jim Orr stated, "The final PEL (permissible exposure limit) went from 52 micrograms to 5 micrograms, a tenfold decrease in allowable exposure. The effective date of the ruling is June 1, 2006, with a four year time limit for manufacturers to implement engineering controls that comply with the ruling. "
The standard will be published in accord with the timetable established by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit which in April 2003 ordered OSHA to promulgate a standard governing workplace exposure to hexavalent chromium.
The new standard lowers OSHA's permissible exposure limit (PEL) for hexavalent chromium, and for all Cr(VI) compounds, from 52 to 5 micrograms of Cr(VI) per cubic meter of air as an 8-hour time-weighted average. The standard also includes provisions relating to preferred methods for controlling exposure, respiratory protection, protective work clothing and equipment, hygiene areas and practices, medical surveillance, hazard communication and recordkeeping.
Jonathan L. Snare, acting assistant secretary for occupational safety and health, stated, "OSHA has worked hard to produce a final standard that substantially reduces the significant health risks for employees exposed to hexavalent chromium. Our new standard protects workers to the extent feasible, while providing employers, especially small employers, adequate time to transition to the new requirements."
Hexavalent chromium compounds are widely used in the chemical industry as ingredients and catalysts in pigments, metal plating and chemical synthesis. Cr(VI) can also be produced when welding on stainless steel or Cr(VI)-painted surfaces. Typical applications where hexavalent chromium can be found are
o Metalworking
o Anodizing and Plating Operations
o Drug and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
o Labs and Chemical Processes
o Some Painting Processes
o Printing and Lithography
o Porcelain and Pottey Manufacturing
o Many others
The major health effects associated with exposure to Cr(VI) include lung cancer, nasal septum ulcerations and perforations, skin ulcerations, and allergic and irritant contact dermatitis.
Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health.
Micro Air Clean Air Systems manufactures a complete line of dust collectors, mist collectors, source capture units, clean air booths and ambient air cleaners for a variety of industries.
Micro Air, 2009 S. West St., Wichita, KS 67213
(866) 566-4276, FAX (316) 219-2995
www.microaironline.com, e-mail: info@microaironline.com
Marketing Resources
3241 E. Douglas
Wichita, KS 67218
(316) 683-5303
Contact: Jim Orr
Telephone (866) 566-4276
