Wednesday, December 12, 2012

OSHA's New Tool Protects Workers Against Cadium


OSHA has developed the Cadmium Biological Monitoring Advisor to help protect workers exposed to cadmium, a silver-white metal used in many industries. Exposure occurs through the smelting and refining of metals or from air in industrial plants that manufacture batteries, coatings or plastics. It can cause weakness, fever, headache, chills, sweating and muscular pain. Cadium exposure can even result in kidney damage and cancer of the lung or prostate. The new tool determines the biological monitoring and medical surveillance requirements that must be met under OSHA’s cadmium standard (29 CFR 1910.1027). These requirements include the frequency of additional monitoring and other mandatory components of the employer’s medical surveillance program.

The cadmium advisor is intended for use by experienced medical professionals who assess workers’ cadmium exposure. It may also be useful as an educational tool by providing information on what constitutes overexposure to cadmium and what to do to prevent exposure on the job. For more information, click here