OSHA Hexavalent Chromium Notification Rule

OSHA has confirmed the effective date of June 15, 2010 for the direct final rule requiring employers to notify their workers of all hexavalent chromium exposures, even if below permissible exposure limit (PEL). The rule revises a provision in OSHA's hexavalent chromium standard that required workers be notified only when they experienced exposures exceeding the PEL. Workers exposed to this toxic chemical are at greater risk for lung cancer and damage to the nose, throat and respiratory tract.

OSHA requested public comments on the revised requirement in a March 17, 2010, Direct Final Rule and accompanying Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. This was done in response to a Third Circuit Court's decision that the agency failed to explain why it departed from the proposed rule that would require notifying workers of all hexavalent chromium exposures. The Agency received no significant adverse comments on this proposed rule, therefore it is proceeding with the Direct Final Rule and withdrawing the accompanying Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

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