Companies face harsh fines for exposing workers to dangerous chemicals

Companies using or making chemicals
need to enforce health & safety standards.

A New Jersey chemical and solvent maker was recently cited for 20 safety and health violation at one of its facilities, after OSHA received complaints about strong solvent odors.

The total in proposed penalties is $135,000.

“By disregarding OSHA safety and health standards, this company is leaving its employees vulnerable to hazards that can cause serious injury and possible death,” said OSHA Area Office Director Lisa Levy.

“It is vital that all identified violations be quickly corrected to protect the workers at this facility.”

OSHA inspections of indoor air quality

OSHA takes industrial hygiene samples as part of its compliance monitoring program. Many of these samples are submitted to the Salt Lake Technical Center for analysis.

The sampling results represent personal, area, and bulk samples for various airborne contaminants.

OSHA carries out inspection at companies and businesses to ensure that employees are not overexposed to hazardous substances. Exposure usually occurs by inhalation, contact, or ingestion.

Monitoring air quality can help prevent employees from inhaling hazardous concentrations of airborne chemicals. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) for chemicals.

For hazardous chemicals not covered by an OSHA standard, departments should comply with other available recommended exposure limits, for example, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLV), or the chemical manufacturer's recommended limits.

Most of OSHA's chemical exposure limits are found in the 1910.1000 Air Contaminant Standard. OSHA has also developed several substance-specific standards that regulate exposure to a single chemical.

Other important safety measures include

• Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Wearing appropriate gloves when handling chemicals
• Enforcing good personal hygiene standards
• Not allowing foods and personal care products in areas where chemicals are used

Sources: SafetyBLR.com, OSHA, HealthFirst

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Contact one of Electrocorp’s air quality experts for more information and recommendations based on your specific needs.