Cal. Code Regs. tit. 17 § 93102.5

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 44, November 1, 2024

Section 93102.5 - Additional Requirements for Chrome Plating Facilities that Use Hexavalent Chromium

This section sets forth requirements that apply to all Facilities using Hexavalent Chromium for Chrome Plating Operations.

(a)Removal of Add-on Air Pollution Control Device(s). No Add-on Air Pollution Control Device(s) installed on a Hexavalent Chromium Containing Tank shall be removed or rendered inoperable unless:

(1) It is replaced by an Add-on Air Pollution Control Device meeting the emission rate applicable to the Tank(s) as measured after the Add-On Air Pollution Control Device;

(2) The Facility is operating under an approved alternative method as provided in section 93102.14 and Health and Safety Code section 39666(f); or

(3) The Hexavalent Chromium Containing Tank is being removed or taken out of service.

(b)Environmental Compliance Training. The Owner or Operator of a Facility shall ensure that Chrome Plating Operations are conducted under the direction of the Owner or Operator or current employee who is onsite and who has completed the CARB Compliance Assistance Training Course on Chrome Plating every two years.

(1) Environmental compliance and recordkeeping required by this ATCM shall be conducted under the supervision of persons who completed a CARB Compliance Assistance Training Course on Chrome Plating and who are onsite.

(2) In the event that all Persons who have completed the CARB training course are no longer associated with a Facility, the Owner or Operator shall be responsible for supervising environmental compliance and recordkeeping required by this ATCM for a period of time not to exceed two years. The Owner or Operator shall ensure that, as soon as practicable, but not longer than two years, personnel complete the training specified in section 93102.5(b).

(3) Environmental compliance training conducted by the South Coast Air Quality Management District on Chrome Plating shall fulfill the requirements of this subpart.

(c)Housekeeping requirements. Beginning January 1, 2024, the following housekeeping practices shall be implemented:

(1) Chromic Acid powder or flakes, or other substances that may contain Hexavalent Chromium, shall be stored in a closed container in an Enclosed Storage Area.

(2) Chromic Acid powder or flakes shall be transported from an Enclosed Storage Area to the Chrome Plating Bath(s) in a closed container.

(3) Clean, using an Approved Cleaning Method, or contain, using a drip tray or other containment device, any liquid or solid material that may contain Hexavalent Chromium that is spilled within one hour after being spilled.

(4) Clean Weekly, using an Approved Cleaning Method, the following:

(A) Surfaces within the Enclosed Storage Area;

(B) Floors in the Tank Process Area;

(C) Walkways around Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III Tank(s);

(D) Surfaces in the Building Enclosure or Tank Process Area; and

(E) Any other surfaces potentially contaminated with Hexavalent Chromium.

(5) Store, dispose of, recover, or recycle Hexavalent Chromium or Hexavalent Chromium-containing wastes generated from the housekeeping activities in subsection (c) using practices that do not lead to Fugitive Emissions and in accordance with hazardous waste requirements. Containers with chromium-containing waste material shall be kept closed at all times, except when being filled or emptied, and shall be stored in an Enclosed Storage Area.

(6) Use an Approved Cleaning Method to clean floors within a 20-foot radius of any buffing, grinding, or polishing workstation(s) at the end of each day on days when buffing, grinding, or polishing are conducted.

(7) Store the following materials in a closed container or in an Enclosed Storage Area.

(A) Cleaning equipment and supplies used to comply with the housekeeping requirements in subsection (c) when not in use;

(B) Reusable Tank covers used with a Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III Hexavalent Chromium Tank when not on the Tank;

(C) Reusable hangers used with a Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III Hexavalent Chromium Tank when not being used to hold a part; and

(D) Anodes and Cathodes used with a Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III Hexavalent Chromium Tank when not in the Tank;

(d)Best Management Practices.

(1)Minimizing Dragout. Beginning July 1, 2024, Dragout from Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III Tanks shall be minimized by containing the liquid as follows:

(A) For automated lines: drip trays, or other containment devices, shall be installed between Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III Tanks such that liquid does not fall through the space between Tanks.

(B) For non-automated lines: each Base Material and equipment used to handle the Base Material must be handled so that liquid containing chromium or Chromic Acid is not dripped outside the Tank, unless the liquid is captured by a drip tray or other containment device.

(C) Drip trays or containment devices shall capture and return the liquid to the Tanks and be cleaned Weekly such that there is no accumulation of visible dust or residue on the drip tray or other containment device.

(2)Spray rinsing. Beginning July 1, 2024, Base Material or equipment that was previously in a Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III Tank shall not be spray rinsed unless the parts or equipment are fully lowered inside a Tank such that the liquid from the spray rinsing is captured inside the Tank.

(A) As an alternative, parts or equipment that were previously in a Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III Tank can be spray rinsed while not fully lowered inside of a Tank only if any liquid from the spray rinsing is captured and returned to the Tank by meeting one of the following conditions:

1. Facilities spraying down parts over the Chrome Plating Tank(s) to remove excess Chromic Acid shall have a splash guard installed at the Tank to minimize overspray and to ensure that any Hexavalent Chromium laden liquid is captured and returned to the Chrome Plating Tank. Splash guard(s) shall be free of holes, tears, and gaps and made of a non-permeable and durable material such as metal or plastic. Splash guards shall be cleaned Weekly with water such that there is no accumulation of visible dust; or

2. For Tanks located within a process line utilizing an overhead crane system that would be restricted by the installation of splash guards, use a Low Pressure Spray Nozzle in a manner where the water flows off of the part or equipment directly into the Tank.

(3)Air sparging. Beginning July 1, 2024, air sparging of a Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III Tank shall only be performed when the Tank is in use.

(4)Buffing, grinding, and polishing operations.

(A) Buffing, grinding, or polishing areas within a Facility shall be separated from the Chrome Plating Operations by installing a Barrier, such as plastic strip curtains, that restricts air flow out of the buffing, grinding, or polishing areas.

(B) Beginning January 1, 2026, all buffing, grinding, and polishing operations at Facilities that use Hexavalent Chromium for the purposes of Functional Chrome Plating and at Facilities that elect to comply with the alternative phase out pathway in section 93102.4(b)(1)(A), shall be conducted within a Building Enclosure for as long as the Facility continues to use hexavalent chromium.

(5)Compressed Air Cleaning and Drying Operations. Beginning July 1, 2024, compressed air cleaning or drying operations shall not be performed within 15 feet of any Tier II or Tier III Tank(s), unless a Barrier separates the compressed air cleaning or drying operation from the Tier II or Tier III Tank(s). A Tank wall may function as the Barrier provided the parts being air cleaned or dried are below the lip of the Tank.

(6)Labeling of Tanks. Beginning July 1, 2024, all Hexavalent Chromium containing Tank(s) shall be clearly labeled with a Tank number or other identifier, District permit number, Bath Components, maximum concentration (ppm) of Hexavalent Chromium, operating temperature range, any agitation methods used, and designation of whether it is a Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III Tank.

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 17, § 93102.5

Note: Authority cited: Sections 39600, 39601, 39650, 39658, 39659, 39666 and 41511, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 39650, 39658, 39659, 39665, 39666 and 41511, Health and Safety Code; and 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 63 Subpart N.

1. New section filed 9-24-2007; operative 10-24-2007 (Register 2007, No. 39).
2. Amendment of section heading, section and NOTE filed 12-28-2023; operative 1/1/2024 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2023, No. 52).