NS inadequately protected employees from chromium-6
Dutch Railways (NS) employees may have come into contact with chromium-6 between 1970 and 2020. It is not known exactly how often or how much this happened. It is plausible that contact with chromium-6 while working at NS could cause certain disorders. The investigation also shows that NS did not always protect employees according to the applicable rules for safe and healthy working. As a result, employees may have been exposed to more chromium-6 than they should have been. RIVM research shows that, in which Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 (IRAS) collaborated.
Work between 1970 and 2020 examined at 17 locations
On behalf of NS, the whether (former) employees could have come into contact with chromium-6 between 1970 and 2020. RIVM did this for all relevant job groups at 17 maintenance sites. It showed that there were large differences between job functions. There were also large differences between locations and over the years. Employees in overhaul and maintenance companies were most likely to come into contact with chromium-6. These include painters, welders, mechanics, bench workers and workshop cleaners. This happened mainly because they inhaled dust released during work on old paint layers.
Actual exposure unknown
It no longer appears to be possible to determine how high the exposure to chromium-6 was for employees. The information to make this estimate is not available. This is because until 2014, NS did not measure how much chromium-6 was in the air and dust of the workshops. Also, the number of NS employees who may have come into contact with chromium-6 cannot be determined afterwards. This is because the personnel file, containing the description of exact work activities, can only be kept for seven years by law.
Insufficient protective measures taken
There appeared to be little knowledge within NS about the harmfulness of chromium-6 and insufficient awareness that chromium-6 could be released when working on old paint layers. During much of the period under investigation, NS therefore took insufficient measures to reduce exposure. For example: installing extraction systems. NS also paid insufficient attention to whether employees were wearing personal respiratory protection, such as dust masks.
Insufficient information to employees
Employees were given little information about the dangers of chromium-6. They were also not regularly medically examined for the (consequences of) exposure to chromium-6. Over time, more attention came to safe and healthy working. NS also started working with quality systems, such as procedures and protocols.
Additional risk of illness due to chromium-6 cannot be determined
Chromium-6 can cause . These include a number of types of cancer, allergic disorders, chronic lung diseases and perforation of the nasal septum. Most of these conditions can also have other causes. The extent of chromium-6 exposure at NS is not known. Therefore, it is impossible to say what the additional risk of illness due to chromium-6 is.
Multidisciplinary collaboration
In 2018, at the request of NS, RIVM initiated this study. RIVM did not do so alone: they collaborated with IRAS from Utrecht 木瓜福利影视, TNO, Maastricht 木瓜福利影视 and a number of independent researchers/experts.
Professor Hans Kromhout of IRAS worked with partners from the NKAL (Dutch Knowledge Centre for Labour and Lung Diseases) and PreventPartner. After research at Defence (POMS sites), the Municipality of Tilburg (tROM) and NS/NedTrain, a 7-year research period has come to an end, resulting in concessions for injured workers and indirectly leading to the establishment of the Lexces, centre of expertise for the prevention and assessment of occupational diseases due to exposure to hazardous substances last summer.