Manufacturer Faces $300K+ in Proposed Penalties for Failing to Protect Workers from Hexavalent Chromium and Cadmium

In November, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that an aircraft parts manufacturer in New England did not take the required steps to identify potential exposures and protect employees from hexavalent chromium and cadmium.

OSHA inspectors determined employees at the company faced exposure and possible overexposure to the toxic substances while electroplating, mixing and preparing, and painting and removing paint on small aircraft parts. The agency conducted the inspection under its National Emphasis Program on Hexavalent Chromium.

The company was cited by OSHA for two willful, four serious and two other-than-serious violations. OSHA inspectors allege the company failed to:

• Determine employees’ exposure to hexavalent chromium.
• Assess employees’ overexposure to cadmium during plating operations.
• Implement controls and work practices to reduce employees’ overexposure to chromium.
• Provide employees with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including chemical-resistant gloves and impervious aprons, and ensure their use.
• Ensure exposed employees used effective respiratory protection.
• Periodically examine nostrils of exposed employees.
• Provide employees with appropriate information and training on chromium hazards.
• Label tanks containing hazardous substances with information on the hazards associated with their contents.

“Both hexavalent chromium and cadmium are known carcinogens,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “In this particular case, over $300,000 in penalties have been proposed by OSHA. Effective health and safety programs that provide employee training, air monitoring and personal protective equipment (PPE) are essential for protecting workers and avoiding these types of costly fines.”

Helping companies achieve this are the industrial hygiene testing experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. With facilities across the United States and Canada, EMSL provides laboratory services to detect and measure hexavalent chromium, cadmium, and other regulated materials. They also offer sampling supplies even carry a full line of PPE.

To learn more about industrial hygiene laboratory testing services and products, 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 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-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC 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