Background Electroplating technology is widely used in the mechanical manufacturing industry. Electroplating workers may be exposed to occupational hazards such as chromium, zinc, cyanides, and sulfuric acid. With the continuous improvement of protective conditions, occupational hazards have been effectively controlled, but there is less focus on the potential acute occupational poisoning that may occur during the electroplating process.

Objective To identify causes of an acute chromium poisoning accident occurred during the cleaning process of electroplating tank in a hardware processing plant, and to formulate relevant prevention and control measures to avoid similar poisoning accidents.

Methods Occupational history, medical history, and treatment process of the poisoned worker were inquired in detail, his inpatient medical records were consulted , and his blood samples were tested. Occupational health investigation and testing were carried out at the scene of the poisoning accident.

Results The air concentration of peak exposure (CPE) and permissible concentration-time weighted average (CTWA) of chromium and its compounds in the workplace were 0.49 mg·m⁻³ and 0.31 mg·m⁻³ respectively. The results of auxiliary test were Serum chromium 4175.85 μg·L⁻¹, serum creatinine 1370.2 μmol·L⁻¹, urea 42.28 mmol·L⁻¹, and urine osmotic pressure 248 mosm·L⁻¹. The final diagnosis was occupational acute severe toxic nephropathy (chromium and its compounds) and occupational chemical skin moderate burn (chromic acid, sulfuric acid). The prescribed treatment included right lower limb expansion skin grafting, hemodialysis and symptomatic support. The patient’s condition was stable and gradually improved after the treatment.

Conclusion The main causes of the poisoning accident include weak awareness of the employer of occupational disease prevention and control; failures in fulfilling legal obligations of occupational disease prevention and control, implementing effective occupational disease prevention measures, and providing proper occupational health and safety training and effective personal protective equipment. In order to protect the health of workers, the relevant government departments and employers should attach great importance to the prevention and control of occupational diseases, such as strengthening training and education, increasing the intensity of occupational health supervision, and urging employers to implement occupational disease prevention measures in accordance with the law.