Gases and Welding Distributors Association -SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES DIRECTORY

SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES DIRECTORY

03/02/2006	OSHA Issues Final Standard on Hexavalent Chromium A final standard covering occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium in general industry, construction, and shipyards was published by OSHA in the 2/28/06 Federal Register. The new standard lowers the agency's permissible exposure limit (PEL) for hexavalent chromium from 52 to 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air as an 8-hour time weighted average, and includes provisions for respiratory protection, personal protective equipment, recordkeeping, preferred methods for controlling exposure, and more. Hexavalent chromium compounds are most commonly used as a structural and anti-corrosive element in stainless steel, iron, and steel production, and in welding and painting, and have been associated with lung cancer and skin disorders.
12/15/2005	BLS Reports Decline in Workplace Injury and Illness Rates for 2004
12/15/2005	EPA Proposes Modifications & Extensions for SPCC Rule
October, 2005	AWS Puts Welding Standard on the Web The American Welding Society (AWS) recently placed the new revised (2005) version of ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, on its website for free downloading at www.aws.org/technical/facts. The AWS Board of Directors decided they wanted this important voluntary welding safety and health standards document to receive the widest distribution possible and directed that Z49.1-2005 be made available for free electronic distribution. .
August, 2005	Workplace Violence
March, 2004	Teleconference question answered regarding operating a LPG powered industrial lift truck in a compressed gas fill plant where oxygen cylinders are filled. Details