Some of KLM’s technical personnel have been exposed to chromium-6 since 1970, a metal that is released during sanding and welding and can be carcinogenic. This is apparent from a KLM survey. According to the company, (former) employees are exposed to more chromium-6 than the legal limit value.
The government determines the maximum extent to which personnel may be exposed to chromium-6. The limit value has been lowered step by step over the past decades.
According to KLM, it has become apparent that the possible exposure of (former) employees in a number of positions in certain periods may have been higher than the then legal limit value and therefore also the current legal limit value.
Over the years, the possible exposure is said to have decreased considerably and work is carried out within the legal limit value. “Due to airworthiness requirements of aircraft manufacturers and a lack of alternatives, not all applications of chromium-6 can be replaced. Where chromium-6 is still used, employees work with adequate protective equipment,” according to KLM.
sorry
KLM regrets that the staff may have an increased risk of health problems. “We find this very regrettable and would have liked to have seen better protection of (former) employees in the past, given the current insights.”
KLM and the trade unions are currently in talks to arrive at a collective compensation scheme.