Abstract

The older layers of paint on some trains contain the harmful substance hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium (VI). NS/NedTrain staff may have been exposed to chromium (VI) during maintenance and repair work on trains. This puts them at greater risk of developing certain medical conditions, including certain types of cancer, allergies, chronic lung diseases and perforation of the nasal septum. The extent of this risk cannot be determined, as the extent of exposure to chromium (VI) is unknown. Furthermore, the risk of developing these conditions depends not only on exposure to chromium (VI), but also on other causative factors. NS/NedTrain failed to comply with the regulations that were in place to protect staff from exposure to chromium (VI) for many years.

This is the outcome of an RIVM study into chromium (VI) exposure during work at NS/NedTrain. The study covered the period from 1970 until 2020. As NS/NedTrain did not collect any measurement data during the vast majority of the period covered by the study, the extent of exposure to chromium (VI) is unknown.

What is clear, however, is that there was considerable variety in terms of individual exposure to chromium (VI): between and within roles, between different NS/NedTrain sites and over the years. For that reason, the study focused on the probability of staff having been exposed to chromium (VI) in these different situations. The study shows that staff were mainly exposed to chromium (VI) through fine particles that they inhaled while working on older layers of paint, such as during sanding and welding. This exposure exceeded the level associated with applying new layers of paint containing chromium (VI).

Moreover, the study revealed that although NS/NedTrain had the intention of fulfilling its duty of care to staff properly, it failed to do so in practice. Only a few managers and others who were responsible for health and safety in the workplace were aware of the risks posed by chromium (VI), which is why staff were not aware of these either. To the extent that risks were known, they were primarily associated with work that involved applying new layers of paint containing chromium (VI). There was far less awareness of the risks posed by work on older layers of paint containing chromium (VI) that were already on the trains.

NS/NedTrain took very few measures to reduce exposure, like installing extractor units, nor did it monitor the use of personal protective equipment, such as dust masks, consistently. Staff were not adequately informed of the hazards associated with chromium (VI) and did not undergo regular medical checks to investigate chromium (VI) exposure (or the effects thereof). The level of focus on the issue increased over the course of the period covered by the study, in part due to NS/NedTrain introducing quality control systems for health and safety in the workplace.

These conclusions are substantiated and explained in more detail in three separate subreports. This report is a summary of all subreports and presents the final conclusions.