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Managing Hex Chrome Risks
Oct 28, 2011 By Aaron Rogers,
ehstoday.com
Exposure Risks and Reactions
Workers may be exposed to hex
chrome through inhalation (of dusts, mists or fumes); ingestion; or dermal
or eye contact (with dusts or liquids). Health effects associated with
exposure to hex chrome can include irritation or damage to the skin and
eyes.
Direct skin contact can cause an
allergic reaction called contact dermatitis. Once an allergy develops, even
brief skin contact can cause symptoms. Direct skin contact also can cause
non-allergic skin irritation called chrome ulcers, which are small sores
that heal very slowly and leave scars. Additional health effects can include
irritation or damage to the nose and
throat.
Prolonged exposure to hex chrome
may result in sores, nosebleeds and even holes in the septum (nasal wall).
Hex chrome exposure also can cause irritation or damage to the lungs.
Inhaling chromate compounds may cause asthma symptoms such as wheezing and
shortness of breath. Prolonged exposure may cause lung cancer.
Paints with small percentages of
chromate compounds have been found with the potential to exceed airborne
occupational exposure limits (OELs) for hex chrome. In particular,
painting operations utilizing a compressed air sprayer, which aerosolizes
the paint, can present an inhalation and skin hazard. In addition, welding
work on stainless steel also has been
found with the potential to exceed airborne OELs for hex chrome. A proper
assessment of the hazard therefore should be conducted in order to evaluate
the potential risk with these
operations.
Hex chrome’s qualities –
widespread occurrence, continued use, health effects and low exposure limits
– make it a good example of steps that are effective in managing a wide
range
of workplace hazards.
What Works – and What Doesn’t?
Effective measures to protect
workers from hex chrome-related hazards should follow the hierarchy of
controls:
Elimination: Best practice
entails eliminating a workplace threat whenever possible. This might include
substituting hazard-free materials for those that may present a risk. In
some
cases, elimination might include phasing out products that contain the
hazardous material. This might work in the case of another welding-related
hazard, manganese (welding rods),
but the ubiquity of chromium, which can be converted to the hexavalent
form when heated to welding temperatures, renders elimination impractical in
many cases.
Engineering Controls: If the
hazard cannot be eliminated, exhaust fans and hoods may help reduce airborne
exposure, or paint rooms may be ventilated separately from the rest of the
workplace. However, relying on engineering controls that are not properly
set up and periodically evaluated still may result in exposure.
Administrative Controls: A good
example of this type of control is training. Exposure can be greatly reduced
by educating workers to avoid exposure by body positioning and
minimizing other staff in the area where exposure may occur.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
This is least-preferred method since it places more responsibility on the
worker. In addition, regulations are triggered when using specialized
PPE, such as respiratory protection, which can present complications.
Equipment and Culture
Industrial hygienists sometimes
face the challenge of engineering control measures only being partially
effective. This might include installation of an inadequate or inappropriate
ventilation system.
One root cause of the problem is
that employers too often rely on the recommendations of equipment
manufacturers or mechanical contractors rather than getting advice from a
qualified industrial hygienist. Such a professional, with ventilation
experience, is up-to-date on recommended practices and is able to offer
unbiased advice.
Some companies have the capacity
to retain IH professionals on staff. These professionals have the advantage
of being familiar with the company’s procedures, culture and what will
work within the limitations of the company. This particularly is true in
the case of hex chrome, which presents a wide range of situations in which
workers can become exposed.
Keeping employees safe requires a solid understanding of the specific
workplace in question, so their efforts may be more effective given the
realities including company culture.
In-house IH professionals also
may be familiar with the company’s plans, such as the intention to increase
production, so new purchases and retrofits can be made in a way that the
company can remain compliant when expansion occurs.
An external IH professional, in
contrast, likely will have the advantage of wider experience of how hazards
have been dealt with at other workplaces. This person also may have been
able to acquire more specialized knowledge about regulations and be
familiar with trends than an internal person could be – particularly if the
in-house person must wear “hats” other
than the industrial hygiene function. Overall, balance of internal
resources and external expertise depends on the situation at each workplace.
In addition to the right
equipment, the right culture needs to be in place. Workers should feel
engaged in their safety programs and offer ideas to reduce or eliminate
hazards.
Employers should consider implementing effective programs to manage
hazards such as hex chrome. Creating such a program should involve
management and those employees who
are expected to abide by the program.
A company culture that leads with
safety may be years in the making, but is well worth it in terms of employee
morale, reduced injuries and the success of the company.
Aaron Rogers, ASP is a project
scientist/industrial hygienist with Golder Associates Inc., in the
Jacksonville, Fla., office. He can be reached at 904-363-3430
or aaron_rogers@golder.com.
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