Lincoln Electric Company (www.lincolnelectric.com) has released a new Arc Welding Safety CD (MC06-209) that features industry and product news, including information on the new standard and compliance regulations on hexavalent chromium from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The new standard reduces OSHA’s permissible exposure limit for hexavalent chromium, and for all Cr(VI) compounds, to five micrograms of Cr(VI) per cubic meter of air as an eight-hour time-weighted average. The new standard sets exposure limits at one-tenth of the level as the previous standard.

The new standard requires industries to control worker exposures to Cr(VI) so the new personal exposure limit is not exceeded. This may be done through engineering and work practice controls or through the use of respirators, if controls are not sufficient. Other requirements include worker Cr(VI) exposure determinations, protective work clothing and equipment, house keeping, medical surveillance and communication of hazards and training.

The CD also has safety information on arc welding and fume extraction equipment, and resources that include links to all of Lincoln Electric’s MSDS sheets, including hardfacing consumables, stainless and high alloy consumables, and low alloy consumables and other industry information on safety and health topics.

The CD can be requested at the company’s website, under Quick Links, and Welding Safety.