Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001C Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.1026(f)(1)(i): Feasible engineering controls and work practices were not instituted to reduce and maintain employee exposures to chromium (VI) at or below the permissible exposure limit. Where feasible engineering and work practice controls would not reduce employee exposure to chromium (VI) to or below the permissible exposure limit, the employer did not apply these feasible controls to reduce employee exposures to the lowest chromium (VI) levels achievable: On or about December 18, 2024, at the establishment located at 520 North Main Street Kewaunee, Wisconsin; an employee welding stainless steel rings to the 105 Tillers and the 100 Turntables in Bay 4N was exposed to an 8-hour time weighted average level of 10.2 ug/m3 for chromium (VI), approximately 2.0 times the Permissible Exposure Limit of 5.0 ug/m3 without utilizing engineering or administrative controls. The exposure level was derived from a 407-minute sampling period with zero exposure assumed for the unsampled period of 73 minutes. Applicable administrative or engineering controls may include, but are not limited to the following: 1) Utilize fume extraction guns, fume extraction hoods, and/or other local ventilation controls for use in areas where they are able to be used. 2) Substitute MIG welding on stainless steel for TIG or Sub Arc welding to reduce exposures to chromium (VI) during welding operations. 3) Institute combinations of the controls listed above to reduce exposures. Conduct exposure monitoring and employee surveys to determine what the most effect combination of controls are for the dynamic work environment.