Osha Instruction: National Emphasis Program - Hexavalent Chromium

Publisher Marketing: In 2006, OSHA issued updated standards regulating workplace exposures to hexavalent chromium in general industry, construction, and maritime. This Instruction establishes a National Emphasis Program (NEP) that focuses on the health hazards presented to workers by occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium and a number of other toxic substances often found in conjunction with hexavalent chromium. This Instruction contains directions for identifying and inspecting workplaces where workers are likely to be exposed to hexavalent chromium and the other toxic substances, as well as relevant procedures and plans for compliance assistance. This NEP supersedes all existing Regional and Local Emphasis Programs specifically addressing hexavalent chromium. This Instruction includes the following key elements: Information for selecting sites for inspection, including a list of Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) and North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) codes for industries known to have overexposures to hexavalent chromium; Procedures for conducting thorough inspections with an emphasis on industrial hygiene evaluations; Measures to be taken to ensure the safety and health of OSHA compliance staff while conducting inspections under this Instruction; Program evaluation procedures designed to ensure that the goals of this NEP are measured as accurately as possible. The procedures require Area Offices to conduct follow-up inspections in certain cases, including where overexposures to hexavalent chromium or the other toxic substances targeted by this NEP are cited; and, Plans for outreach to train OSHA compliance staff and the general public on the hazards addressed by this NEP, as well as effective methods for abating those hazards.