OSHA promulgates “Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium" effective May 30, 2006

Among other things, the new standard will lower the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) from 52 micrograms per cubic meter to 5 micrograms per cubic meter.  Start-up dates for specific provisions by industry (general industry, shipyards, and construction) are as follows.

General Industry, 29 CFR 1910.1026(n):
(n) Dates. (1) For employers with 20 or more employees, all obligations of this section, except engineering controls required by paragraph (f) of this section, commence November 27, 2006. (2) For employers with 19 or fewer employees, all obligations of this section, except engineering controls required by paragraph (f) of this section, commence May 30, 2007. (3) For all employers, engineering controls required by paragraph (f) of this section shall be implemented no later than May 31, 2010.

Shipyards, 29 CFR 1915.1026(l):
(l) Dates. (1) For employers with 20 or more employees, all obligations of this section, except engineering controls required by paragraph (e) of this section, commence November 27, 2006. (2) For employers with 19 or fewer employees, all obligations of this section, except engineering controls required by paragraph (e) of this section, commence May 30, 2007. (3) For all employers, engineering controls required by paragraph (e) of this section shall be implemented no later than May 31, 2010.

Construction, 29 CFR 1926.1026(l):
(l) Dates. (1) For employers with 20 or more employees, all obligations of this section, except engineering controls required by paragraph (e) of this section, commence November 27, 2006. (2) For employers with 19 or fewer employees, all obligations of this section, except engineering controls required by paragraph (e) of this section, commence May 30, 2007. (3) For all employers, engineering controls required by paragraph (e) of this section shall be implemented no later than May 31, 2010.

Here is the new standard in the Federal Register.

<< Back to main