No violations yet under new hexavalent chromium rule OSHA reports
In its latest report of information available through the middle of January,OSHA has not yet found any violations of the new hexavalent chromium rule, which was published one year ago on February 28, 2006, and went into effect on November 27, 2006, for firms with more than 20 employees. Firms with 20 employees or fewer have until May 30 of this year to comply. The rule establishes an 8h time- weighted average occupational exposure limit of 5µg/m3of air.
OSHA is expected to release a compliance directive about the new rule this spring. It is also considering establishing a national emphasis program for enforcement of the rule but would have to cut the budget of a national emphasis program already in place for another rule if it were to shift its focus to hexavalent chromium.
For further information: www.osha. gov/SLTC/hexavalentchromium/
