As the U.S. Labor Dept.
opened hearings Feb. 1 in Washington, D.C., on its proposed
new rule on worker exposure to hexavalent
chromium, a toxic metal, representatives of labor unions
expressed unhappiness that the draft rule fails to include portland
cement work.
Labor representatives believe the
cement danger is significant and cited supporting evidence.
Of special concern are thousands of workers who develop a
skin disorder, contact dermatitis, from touching wet cement.
Workers also are exposed to hexavalent chromium when welding
chrome plated steel or chromated painted surfaces.
Union members of the Advisory Committee
for Construction Safety and Health last year proposed having
portland cement included in the standard. They even believed
they had reached a consensus with industry representatives
over how to limit the hazard to workers.
But the new standard must be completed
soon to comply with a court order, so the Labor Dept. "did
what is required by the court and nothing else," says
Scott P. Schneider, health director of a laborers union
safety fund.
While the hexavalent chromium in
cement may cause skin irritations, concentrations are so low
that dangerous levels of airborne particles cant be
reached without violating standards for dust in general, says
the proposed rule by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The Portland Cement Association
believes OSHA took the right course on the construction standard.
"We also feel cement should be exempt from the general
industry standard," says Tom Carter, PCAs director
of environment, health and safety.
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