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Environment & worker health safety on a nickel-chrome plated steel bumper

We assemble nickel and chrome plated steel bumpers. The bumpers are plated at an outside vendor. What we are looking for is some kind of documentation that tells us in the finished metallic state that the bumper does not create any kind of environmental or personal hazard to the assembler or end user.

Jeff Battiston
metal products - Windsor, Ontario, Canada
2002

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Your major problems will be with contact dermatitis. About 10-15% could be susceptible to eczema induced by nickel and there are claims of a similar, but not so common, problem with chromium. If you are machining the bumpers, there could be other hazards associated it inhalation. Health and safety issues depend on what you are doing to the parts. I suggest you consult a Health and Safety specialist in Canada as different countries have different legislation and requirements. As far as environmental issues are concerned, again consult a local expert because of local legislation.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2002