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Hexavalent Chrome
Mitigation Program-
QATAR TMES MTA 4

altradbabcock.com
- Objective
- Risks
- Routes of entry
- Air Sampling
- Exposure determination
- Configuration
- Expectation

Developed by : Vinod Kumar

 Objective

• Objective is to visit a representative group of workplaces carrying out

welding of stainless steel, scoping the various control strategies
proposed in HRA Essentials for welding, hot work and allied processes.

• Make recommendations for improvements to controls and

monitoring where appropriate.

• To gather information on current stainless steel welding

processes and exposures.
 Hexavalent Chromium Risks

• A toxic form of chromium metal used in many industrial applications,

primarily for its anti-corrosive properties.

• Generated during welding on stainless steel or metal coated with chromate

paint.

• Used in electroplating (chrome plating).

Risks:-

Cancer risk from Cr (VI) at new PEL is higher than asbestos and benzene risk
at their PELs

Asbestos: 6.7 deaths per 1000 workers

Benzene: 10 deaths per 1000 workers
Chrome VI: 10-45 excess lung cancer deaths per 1000 workers for 45 years
of exposure at new PEL of 5 ug/m3

The health risks of Hex Chrome at the PEL are greater than Asbestos or
Benzene at their PEL
 Routes of Entry

OSHA estimates that 48 percent of all workers affected by hexavalent chromium will be welders.
Welders can be exposed to chromium 6 when fumes are released while welding stainless steels,
chromium alloys and chrome-coated metal.

• Inhalation is the primary route of entry. Employees can inhale dusts, mists and fumes containing
chromium 6 while performing tasks such as welding on stainless steel or applying paints and
coatings containing chromates.

• Skin Exposures- Contact with hexavalent chromium may develop an allergic reaction known as
allergic contact dermatitis. When an employee becomes allergic, brief skin contact causes swelling
and a red, itchy rash; allergic contact dermatitis becomes longer-lasting and more severe with
repeated skin exposure.

• Skin contact with chromatic substances can also lead to skin ulcers. These are small crusted skin
sores that heal slowly and leave scars. These are commonly referred to as “chrome holes.”

• Direct eye contact with chromate dust or chromic acid can cause permanent eye damage
 Particle Size-selective Sampling:

•Inhalable (100 μm 50% cut-point) - hazardous when deposited anywhere in

the respiratory tract.

•Thoracic (10 μm 50% cut-point) - hazardous when deposited anywhere in

the lung airways and the gas exchange regions.

•Respirable (3.5/4 μm 50% cut-point) - hazardous when deposited in the

gas exchange regions of the lungs.
Air Sampling Set up
 Air Sampling NIOSH 7600 & OSHA
Method ID-215 (V.2)

OSHA PEL: 5.0 µg/ m3 hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) (General Industry, Shipyards, and Construction) (Published 2/28/06) See hexavalent chromium standard for
compliance dates and special provisions (71 FR 10100- 10385 or 29 CFR 1910.1026; 29 CFR 1915.1026; 29 CFR 1926.1126)
 Exposure Limits

• When levels of hexavalent chromium cannot be reduced below 2.5 micrograms per cubic meter
of air averaged over an 8-hour work shift, AB WLL will establish a program of exposure
assessments. This 2.5 microgram per cubic meter measurement is known as the action
level.

• Exposure assessments use air sampling and measurements to determine an employee’s

exposure to chromium 6. The purpose of the exposure assessment is to ensure that
employee exposure levels do not exceed the permissible exposure limit.

• When changes occur in the workplace that may affect exposure levels, such as the introduction
of new materials, additional exposure assessments will be performed.

•The permissible exposure limit (PEL) for hexavalent chromium is 5 micrograms per cubic
meter
 Air Sampling NIOSH 7600 & OSHA
Method ID-215 (V.2)

Type of welding Scope Laboratory testing 8-hr TWA inhalation exposure

Concentration range (mg/m3 ) Cr (VI)
C*sampling time/8Hrs

MMA (SS/CS)

FCAW (SS/CS)

MIG (SS/CS)

TIG (SS/CS)
 Air Monitoring/Exposure Determination

If initial air monitoring

Then:
concentration is:

Below the AL No further monitoring

At or above AL Keep monitoring

Above the PEL Submit the survey outcomes to QSGTL Ind Hygienist.
Develop a detailed study and a mitigation plan
moving forward for MTA 5.
Where risks are most likely & who is at risk ?

• Volume of air sample – from the pump

• Additionally analysis of the weight results from laboratory testing will be
converted to concentrations using the volume of air sampled.
• How to calculate below?
(754) HW 3 Problem 1 Volume of air calculations for IH sampling - YouTube
 Pending Actions :-

• Get the filters from UK/USA

• Get the pump from QSGTL.
• Select the scopes. (Execution Leads) TBC
• Decide how many samples to be taken (No of filers = No of tests)(VK)
• Decide what needed to be tested (See Below table) (VK)
• Identify a laboratory to facilitate the test (VK)
• Trial run during pre shutdown in workshop.
Thank you
for your
time!