Chromium-VI, a new cancer risk?
WHAT DOES THIS CHROMIUM-6 EXPOSURE AND RECOGNITION TRAINING COVER?
Like asbestos, chromium-6 has been much in the news negatively in recent years.
Chromium-6 is harmful to health and can cause cancer!
The exposure of workers to the carcinogenic substance chromium-6 recently led to a heavy fine for the employer.
By law, only workers who have received adequate training are authorised to carry out work where exposure to chromium-6 is expected.
WHAT IS CHROMIUM-6?
Chromium-6 is a metal used as an additive in lacquers, undercoats or primers over which a topcoat is applied.
Thanks to its anti-corrosion properties, it prevents rust. The main application of chromium-6 is therefore in anti-rust paints.
It also occurs in treated wood used in industry, wooden garden furniture and outdoor play equipment.
Other known applications: steel bridges, train sets, boats, aircraft, military equipment, lamp posts and load-bearing structures.
In short: you encounter chromium-VI on almost all metals exposed to the weather.
DANGEROUS TO HEALTH?
During maintenance or machining of chromium-6-containing applications, the substance is released as fumes, vapour or dust.
The chromium-6 compound can enter the body in three ways: by ingestion (stomach), by inhalation (lungs) or through the skin.
Chromium-6 is harmful to health and can cause cancer!
- Legislation and responsibilities
- What is chromium-6
- How do I recognise chromium-6 in various coatings?
- Properties of chromium-6
- Types of products that may contain chromium-6
- Recognising chromium-6
- Actions leading to exposure
- Health risks in the event of exposure
- Safe working methods
- Health surveillance
- Prevention and risk assessment
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- First aid, emergency and decontamination procedures
- Inventory of chromium-6
- Reporting
ACTIONS, NOT WORDS!
- Theoretical training with applied practical examples
- Preferably based on your internal risk analysis and photo material
- Every participant receives an official certificate
WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?
The employer is required to carry out a risk analysis for all work that may involve exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic agents (Code, book VI.2-3).
If the risk analysis shows that there is a risk to the safety or health of workers, the exposure of workers must be prevented and the employer must provide information and training for workers (Code, book VI.2-4).
When maintenance work is planned with a significant increase in exposure to the substance, the duration of workers’ exposure must be limited as much as possible, and only workers who have received adequate training and specific instructions are authorised to access such work (Code, book VI.2-6).
Code, book VI, title 2
Frequently asked questions
What is chromium-6 and why is it dangerous?
Chromium-6 (hexavalent chromium) is a carcinogenic metal found mainly in anti-rust paints and coatings. During machining it is released as dust, vapour or fumes and can cause cancer via the lungs, skin or ingestion.
Is this training legally required?
Yes. By law, only workers who have received adequate training may carry out work where exposure to chromium-6 is expected (Code, book VI, title 2).
Who is the training for?
For anyone carrying out maintenance or machining of chromium-6-containing materials (metal structures, bridges, vehicles, etc.) and for prevention managers.