Hexavalent Chromium Work SWMS
Operations generating Cr(VI) compounds — stainless steel and chrome-alloy welding, hard chrome electroplating, thermal spray coating, chromate surface treatment, and chrome paint removal.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Operations generating hexavalent chromium — stainless and chrome-alloy welding, hard chrome electroplating, thermal spray coating, chromate treatment, and chrome paint removal. Cr(VI) is an IARC Group 1 carcinogen reclassified as a Non-Threshold Genotoxic Carcinogen under WHS Regulations Part 7.1, requiring written SWMS and ALARP exposure control from 1 December 2026.
Hazards identified
3 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Lung cancer, nasal septum perforation, occupational asthma
Chrome ulcers, contact dermatitis, corneal damage
Systemic toxicity, gastrointestinal and renal injury
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Eliminate Cr(VI) where feasible; substitute with trivalent chromium or low-chrome consumables.
- 2Apply LEV at source, on-tool extraction for welding, and enclosed plating tanks with push-pull ventilation.
- 3Mandate P3/PAPR respirators, chemical gloves, coveralls, decontamination facilities, and biological monitoring per ALARP duty.
Applicable Codes of Practice
Cr(VI) NTGC classification, ALARP exposure control, health monitoring
Respiratory protection selection, fit-testing and device standards
High-Risk Construction Work triggered
Cr(VI) is a Schedule 14 carcinogen requiring written SWMS before work commences.
Written SWMS mandatory under reg 299; non-compliance attracts Category 2 penalties.
What you receive
- ✓Editable DOCX SWMS template tailored to Cr(VI) operations
- ✓State-specific WHS legislation schedule (all Australian jurisdictions)
- ✓Cr(VI) hazard register with NTGC and ALARP control matrix
- ✓Worker sign-on register with health monitoring acknowledgement
Related legislation
- WHS Act 2011 sections 19, 20, 28
- WHS Regulations 2017 regs 49–50, 368–378 (health monitoring)
- Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals