Manufacturer Cited by OSHA Faces Costly Penalties for Allegedly Exposing Workers to Hexavalent Chromium

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a Kansas company for exposing employees to carcinogen hazards. The announcement was made in May that OSHA alleges the company failed to implement feasible engineering controls to limit employee exposure to hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen, and conduct periodic monitoring of employee exposure.

OSHA also claims the company failed to establish protocols to ensure that employees remove contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing before leaving the work area. In addition, the company is alleged to have failed to prevent exposure to hexavalent chromium during aircraft painting and allowed the accumulation of hexavalent chromium on surfaces.

Hexavalent chromium is a toxic form of the element chromium. Hexavalent chromium compounds are man-made and widely used in many different industries. Industrial uses include chromate pigments in dyes, paints, inks and plastics; chromates added as anticorrosive agents to paints, primers and other surface coatings; and chromic acid electroplated onto metal parts to provide a decorative or protective coating. Hexavalent chromium can also be formed when performing hot work, such as welding on stainless steel or melting chromium metal.

“The company under scrutiny faces over $190,000 in penalties for two repeat and four serious violations,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Many other manufacturers could also be at risk of similar penalties if they are not providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees as OSHA has estimated as many as 500,000 workers are potentially exposed to hexavalent chromium on the job.”

The industrial hygiene testing experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. are dedicated to helping companies avoid costly noncompliance penalties. In addition to laboratory services, EMSL provides all of the sampling equipment needed and even offers a full line of PPE. The laboratory has also sponsored an educational video about hexavalent chromium that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/1G8bq7rM5w8.

To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, air quality, environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail