Hexavalent Chromium Plating & Spraying SWMS
Hexavalent chromium electroplating and thermal spraying — LEV engineering controls, RPE for Class 1 carcinogen, biological monitoring, health surveillance, waste treatment.
This SWMS is uniform across all Australian jurisdictions.
Hexavalent chromium electroplating and thermal spraying generates Cr(VI) mists and fumes — a confirmed IARC Group 1 carcinogen. WHS Regulation 347 requires hazardous chemical risk controls, atmospheric monitoring against the 0.05 mg/m³ WES, health surveillance under Schedule 14, and documented engineering controls before work commences.
Hazards identified
3 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Lung cancer, nasal septum perforation, occupational asthma
Carcinogenic fume inhalation exceeding WES
Chronic ulceration, sensitisation, systemic absorption
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Install push-pull LEV on plating tanks; enclosed booth with HEPA extraction for thermal spray operations
- 2Mandatory PAPR with P3 cartridges, chemical-resistant gloves, coveralls; biological monitoring of urinary chromium quarterly
- 3Health surveillance per WHS Reg Schedule 14; air monitoring against 0.05 mg/m³ WES TWA
Applicable Codes of Practice
Cr(VI) classified hazardous; requires register, SDS, controls
RPE selection, fit testing for carcinogenic atmospheres
What you receive
- ✓Editable DOCX SWMS template
- ✓State-specific WHS legislation schedule
- ✓Hazard register with Cr(VI) exposure controls
- ✓Worker sign-on register
Related legislation
- WHS Act 2011 s19 — primary duty of care
- WHS Regulation 347 — hazardous chemical risk management
- WHS Regulation Schedule 14 — health surveillance for chromium (VI)