Document NEk4x6eEJ2DBJg8az3QQON69Q

CURRENT REPORT ftXe: 1567 probability of Penalty occurrtnct point! Improbable ___________.....__....__ 0 Possible_____......______ ..... 1-4 probable_________________________________ M Imminent .......--10-13 _ Occurred________ 14 [ 1 cumber of penalty point* assigned to thi category. (3) Orarity of th* Injury If it occurred or were bxoccur. Gravity of Penalty injury point* Slight ....----------........._________ 0 Flrat aid_____________ ____________ _ 1 Nondlsabllng ______ ....________ 3-3 Temporary total disabling ____ 4-8 Permanent partial disabling_________ 7-0 Permanent total dlaabllng.._;_______ 10-13 Fatal______________________________ 13 t ) number of penalty point* assigned to this category. (3) Number at personnel injured. Number injured 0 Penalty point* 3 4 to 5---------------------------0 to e________ _____ ___ 10 to IS..._________ __ More than 16....----. ( ] number -.f penalty assigned to this category, f ] total parMty points assigned to this criterion. curators i. Bmosmuns coop taith or-TKX omsToa cha--to ns attuctowg to sciurva uraeoimuNCl Penalty points under tbia criterion range from --6 to 10 a the degree* of compliance decrease from "rapid" through "normal" to "lack of good faith". The degrees of com pliance are explained In I 100.3(f). ____________ la found. [ ] number of penalty point* assigned to tbl* criterion. To Mine Operator: This 1* to advise you of your rights to a formal hearing or an informal conference on the order at assessment.___________ as provided under I 100.4(b), Pan 100--Civil Penalties for Violation at the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1900, Title 30, Code of Federal Regulations. Section 100.4(b) gives you the right to an Informal oonferen'ce with the Office of As sessments, and a formal hearing with the Office Of Hearings and Appeals. If you desire a hearing or conference, please mark the proper line below; Conference with Office of Aeeeeements Formal Hearing with Office of Hearings and Appeals The selection of a conference with the Of. floe of Assessments does not waive your right to a formal hearing with the Office of Hear ings and Appeals If a settlement Is not reached. If you have indicated your desire to have a conference, please complete this card: 1. Nam* of Min* 3. Mins IS). No. *. ---------------------------------------------- Nam* of Company 4. ......................................... Company Office to Contact I. ............. ......................................... Telephone No. Including Arse Code Zf possible I would like the conference to be conducted at: lbm County State Signature Date IFB DOC.74-10313 Filed 6-0-74:0:43 ami (39 FR 16145, May 7,1974J PROPOSED OCCUPATIONAL STANDARD FOR VINYL CHLORIDE TO BE PUBLISHED IN FEDERAL REGISTER BY THE LABOR DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Docket OSH-361 (29 CFR Part 1910] OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARD ON VINYL CHLORIDE Proposed Rule Making l.` Background. Vinyl chloride (chloroethene) Chemical Abstracts Service Registry No. 75015, is a syn thetic chemical made by oxychlorination of ethylene or by hydrochlorination of acetylene. It is the parent com pound of a series of thermoplastic resin polymers and copolymers which are widely used for containers, wrap ping film, electrical insulation, pipe, conduit, and a varie ty of other products. Vinyl chloride has been made com mercially in this country since 1939 and present produc tion is in excess of seven billion pounds per year. Vinyl chloride (VC) is a gas at ambient temperature and pressure and is a chlorinated hydrocarbon which has moderate liver toxicity. The previous standard set a ceil ing value of 500 parts per million (ppm) (29 CFR 1910.93, Table G-l). On January 22, 1974, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was informed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) that the B. F, Goodrich Chemical Company reported that deaths of several of its employees from a rare liver cancer (angiosarcoma) may have been oc cupationally related. As a result of this notification and after consultation with the National Institute for Oc cupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and a joint in spection of the plant by OSHA. NIOSH, and the Ken tucky Department of Labor, a fact-finding hearing on possible hazards involved with the manufacture and use of VC was announced on January 30, 1974 (39 FR 3874) and held on February 15, 1974. 2. Carcinogenicity of VC. Information produced at this hearing demonstrated that exposure of laboratory animals (mostly Sprague-Dawley rats) to VC by inhala tion at and below the then current OSHA standard of 500 ppm induced tumors, including angiosarcomas of the liver. Professor Cesare Maltoni, of the Instituto di On* cologia, Bologna, Italy, reported on a series of ex periments on the effect of exposure of rats, mice, and hampsters to VC at concentrations of 10,000, 6,000; 2,500; 500; 250; and 50 ppm for varying periods of time (TR-43-63). Some of the experiments have been conclud ed, and others are still ongoing. The experimental results reported were that tumors have been observed in groups of animals exposed to VC at concentrations as low as 250 ppm. No tumors were observed in the group of animals exposed to VC at a concentration of 50 ppm. It alsa appears that the total number of tumors, as well as the numbers of angiosarcomas of the liver, decreased as the concentrations of VC were reduced to 250 ppm. Another experiment by Professor Maltoni was reported underway involving the exposure of 300 animals to VC at concen trations of 50 ppm, in order to assess in a more definitive way whether that level of exposure produces tumors in animals. Data reported by Torkelson, Oyen and Rowe (American Industrial Hygiene Association J 22: 254-361 Copyright 1974 by The Bureau of National Affairi, Ine. ASI 000013433  1568 (1961)) indicate that exposure to VC at concentrations of 50 ppm failed to induce tumors in rats, hamsters, rabbits, and dogs> The employees of the B.F. Goodrich Chemical Com pany who died from angiosarcoma of the liver had an average exposure of approximately 19 years to vinyl chloride, at unknown concentrations, and variable ex posures to other volatible chemicals. (TR 93). Some employees of Union Carbide, Firestone Tire and Rubber, and Goodyear were also reported in post-hearing com ments to have had exposure to vinyl chloride and to have died from angiosarcoma of the liver. Finally, autopsies of four deceased employees revealed their liver angiosar coma tumors were histologically indistinguishable from the angiosarcoma tumors observed in Professor Maltoni's experimental animals. 3. The Emergency Temporary Standard. On the basis of all information available at that time, and the fact that employees were being exposed at levels around the experimentally observed effect level of 250 ppm, an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) was promulgated on April 5, 1974 (39 FR 12342) as 29 CFR I9l0.93q. This standard reduced the level from a ceiling of 500 ppm :o 50 ppm ceiling. It was expressly recognized that this standard limiting exposures to a 50 ppm level was intended to be a tentative, interim standard, to be in effect no longer than six months, during which time the whole question of possible safe exposure to VC would be reconsidered more fully and in the light of more informa tion, expccially results of experiments which were known to be underway at that time. 4. Additional information. On April 15, 1974, infor mation and data were presented to representatives of OSHA, NIOSH and the EPA by the Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories, Northbrook. Illinois, concerning results of animal exposure studies with VC, sponsored by the Manufacturing Chemists Association (MCA). Although only preliminary in nature, these results revealed that 2 out of 200 mice exposed to VC concentrations of 50 ppm for 7 hours a day, five days a week, for approximately 7 months, developed angiosarcomas of the liver. The Industrial Bio-Test Lab data indicate that ex posure to VC at 50 ppm may well constitute a serious health hazard to employees. Also, the question of a safe level of exposure for humans cannot be determined at this time, and may continue as a matter for scientific deliberation for many years. We therefore conclude that it is now necessary to propose to change the 50 ppm level established in the ETS to as low a level as can be detected using methodologies outlined in this proposal. (5) The proposed permanent standard. The re quirements for a complete standard under section 6(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 arc much more comprehensive than the provisions of the ETS promulgated on April 5. The following proposals are responsive to the additional information on the car cinogenicity of VC. and the requirements of the Act. A. Level of exposure. The proposed standard for employee exposure is set at no detectable level, as deter mined by a sampling and analytical method capable of detecting vinyl chloride at concentrations of I ppm with an accuracy of 1 ppm plus or minus 50 percent. Although OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH REPORTER more sensitive methods may be available now or in the future, the methodological sensitivity proposed appears to be the most feasible and generally available. A method of I ppm sensitivity has been recommended to OSHA by NIOSH. To minimize the number of persons at risk, a requirement would be established for regulating areas where vinyl chloride is manufactured, reacted, stored, handled, released, * repackaged, or used, including operations with polyvinyl chloride containing detectable levels of vinyl chloride. Access to the areas would be limited to authorized employees. B. Monitoring. A program of monitoring would be required tO'establish whether there arc detectable levels in regulated areas and to permit determination of employee exposures on an individual basis. Provision would also be made for an opportunity to observe monitoring by employees or their designated represen tatives, as required by section 8 (c) (3) of the Act. C. Control methods. Where detectable levels of VC are monitored, two programs would be triggered: and engineering and work practice program to reduce levels below detectability; and while this is on-going, a respitory protection program for employees in the regu lated area. Engineering controls and work practices are favored methods of compliance because they tend to avoid con tamination of the ambient air in the workplace. Accor dingly. it is proposed to require the institution of engineering controls and of workpractice methods as soon as feasible, and to require the use of respirator- pen ding the institution of such controls, to supplement such controls where they are insufficient to reduce concen trations of vinyl chloride below the detectable level, in specified work situations, and in cases of emergency. The proposal for continuous flow and pressure demand types of respirators is based on the recommendations of NIOSH. which has observed leakage through chemical cartridge respirators at high concentrations of VC. A requirement would also be established for the provi sion and use of protective clothing for employees in the regulated areas. The protective clothing would minimize skin contact with VC vapor, and would provide some measure of protection from splash of liquid in the event of a spill or rupture of equipment. Food, beverages, and like products would be prohibited in the regulated area. Written operational and emergency plans would be required, along with employee training in routine and emergency duties. Specific requirements would be es tablished for emergency actions and for routine maintenance and decontamination operations, including vessel entry, which are known to present particular hazards. The purposes of operational and emergency plans and training are to apprise employees of the hazards to which they may be exposed, of the precautions they must take to a'oid such hazards, and to rehearse employees in the procedures they must follow in emergencies. D. Medical surveillance. Comprehensive re quirements for employee medical examinations are proposed, including necessary tests. Some additional gui.i.mce is included for the convenience of physicians. The oroposed requirements have been recommended to Occupational Safety & Hoolih Reporter ASI 000013434 CURRENT REPORT OSH A by NIOSH as reasonably appropriate to defect liver dysfunction which may be indicative of, or predisposing to. the development of liver angiosarcomas. E. Records and reports. Records of monitoring, medical examinations, and entry to regulated areas are proposed, with provision of access by appropriate OSH A and NIOSH officials. Specific provisions for employee access to monitoring records are included, as well as the requirement to furnish a copy of a medical record to an employee's physician on the employee's request. Establishments conducting VC operations would be re quired to identify themselves to OSHA, and to report in cidents (accidents) resulting in the release of vinyl chloride. Accordingly, pursuant to sections 6 (b), 6 (c), and 8 (c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1593. 1596. 1599: 29 U.S.C. 655. 657), Secretary of Labor's Order No. 12-71 (36 F.R. 8754) and 29 CFR Part 1911, it is hereby proposed to amend Part 1910 of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations by revising 1910.93q as set forth below. Written data, views, and arguments concerning the proposals may be mailed to the Docket Officer, Docket OSH-36, Room 230, 1726 M Street, N.W., Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Washington, D.C. 20210, postmarked not later than June 10, 1974. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1911.11 (b) and (c), interested persons may file objections to the proposals, requesting an informal hearing with respect thereto, in accordance with the following conditions: (1) The objections must include the name and ad dress of the objector; (2) ,, The objections must be postmarked on or before June 10. 1974; (3) The objections must specify the provisions of the proposed rule to which objection is taken, and must state the grounds therefor; (4) Each objection must be separately stated and numbered; and (5) The objections must be accompanied by a sum mary of the evidence proposed to be adduced at the re quested hearing. As revised, 1910,93q would read as follows; 1910.93q Vinyl Chloride. (a) Scope and application. (I) This section applies to any area or operation in which vinyl chloride (chloroethcne). Chemical Abstracts Service Registry No. 75015. is manufactured, reacted, released, repackaged, stored, or used, including areas and operations involving polyvinyl chloride where detectable levels of vinyl chloride are released, (2) This section does not apply to the handling or use of fabricated products made entirely or in part of polyvinyl chloride. ^ (b) Definitions. (I) "Assistant S*ecretary" means the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor or his designee. (2) "Authorized employee" means an employee whose duties require him to be in the regulated area and who has been specifically assigned by the employer; and any employee who enters such an area as a designated 1569 representative of employees to exercise an opportunity to observe monitoring and measuring of vinyl chloride. (3) "Closed container" means any container which prevents the release of vinyl chloride to the environment. (4) "Contaminated" means capable of releasing a detectable level of vinyl chloride. (5) "Decontamination" means reduction of vinyl chloride concentrations to less than detectable levels. (6) "Detectable level" means an airborne concentra tion of vinyl chloride measurable by a sampling and analytical method capable of measuring concentrations of 1 ppm, with an accuracy of 1 ppm+50%. (7) "Director" means the Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, or any per son directed by him or the Secretary of Health, Educa tion, and Welfare to act for the Director. (8) "Emergency" means an unforseen circumstance or set of circumstances, resulting in the release of vinyl chloride into areas occupied by employees. (9) "Exposure" means actual contact with vinyl chloride when unprotected by required personal protec tive equipment and clothing. (10) "Fabricated product" means a finished product or part of such product, made of polyvinyl chloride, en tirely or in part, including semifinished products such as film, sheet, block, bar, or extrusion stock. (11) "OSHA Area Director" means the Director for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Area Office having jurisdiction over the geographic area in which the establishment is located. (12) "Polyvinyl chloride" means polyvinyl chloride homopolymer or copolymer before such is converted to a fabricated product. (13) "Protective clothing" means clothing protective against vinyl chloride. (.14) "Vinyl chloride" means vinyl chloride monomer. (15) "Waste resin" means any resin or other reaction products removed in the cleaning of equipment, such as vessels and piping. (c) Reference. College of American Pathologists, 230 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60601. (d) Regulated areas. (1) A regulated area shall be es tablished where (i) vinyl chloride is manufactured, reacted, released, repackaged, stored, or used; or (ii) polyvinyl chloride capable of releasing detectable levels of vinyl chloride is manufactured, reacted, releas ed, repackaged, stored, or used. (2) Access to regulated areas shall be limited to authorized employees. (3) A daily roster of employees entering regulated areas shall be made and maintained. The rosters, or sum maries thereof, shall be kept for at least 20 years. (e) Monitoring. (I) Every regulated area shall be monitored for detectable levels of vinyl chloride. (2) The monitoring shall assure that any exposure may be determined for each authorized employee with a confidence level of 95%. (3) Employees or their designated representatives shall be afforded an opportunity to observe monitoring and measuring required by this paragraph, (i) Where ex ercise of an opportunity requires entry to an area where Copyright C 1974 by Tho Bureau of National Affair*, Inc, ASI 000013435 1570 the use of protective clothing, equipment, facilities, or procedures is required, such clothing, equipment, facilities, and procedures shall be provided to all persons entitled to exercise the opportunity, at no cost to any of them. (ii) Persons exercising the opportunity shall be in structed regarding: (A) the toxicity and Ore hazard of vinyl chloride; and (B) the protective steps and measures necessary for their protection. (iii) Observers shall be permitted, without in terference to the persons performing the monitoring and measuring, to: (A) observe all steps and procedures related to the collecting, processing, and evaluation of particular monitoring and measurement samples; (B) record quantities and results obtained; (C) observe condition of monitoring and measuring equipment; (D) receive a demonstration of the calibration and function tests of the monitoring and measuring equip ment performed on site; and (E) examine instructions and documents related to the procedures and equipment for monitoring and measuring. (4) Accurate and complete records of all required monitoring shall be made and maintained for not less than 20 years. Such a record shall (i) state the date of such monitoring and the levels determined; and (ii) identify the instruments and methods used. (0 Engineering controls and workpractice methods. Where detectable levels of vinyl chloride are measured, immediate protecton shall be provided against exposure to vinyl chloride by the use of engineering controls, workpractice methods, and respirators as follows: (1) Feasible engineering controls and workpractice methods shall immediately be used to reduce airborne concentrations of vinyl chloride below the detectable level; (ii) Wherever feasible engineering controls and workpractice methods which can be instituted im mediately are not sufficient to reduce concentrations of vinyl chloride below the detectable level, they shall none theless be used to reduce the concentrations to the lowest practicable level, and shall be supplemented by means of respirators in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section; (iii) Wherever no feasible engineering control or workpractice method can be instituted immediately, im mediate respiratory protection shall be provided in accor dance with paragraph (g) of this section; and (iv) In any case covered by paragraph (f) (1) (ii) or (iii) of this section, the employer shall also undertake as soon as practicable a program to reduce airborne concen trations of vinyl chloride below the detectable level, or to the greatest extent feasible, solely by means of engineer ing controls and workpractice methods and as soon as feasible. (2) There shall be tests made for process or equip ment leaks and for emission of vinyl chloride which may result from workpractices. The frequency of these tests shall be such as to insure the integrity of equipment and adherence to proper workpractices. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH REPORTER (g) Respiratory protection. (I) A respiratory protec tion program in accordance with 1910.134 shall be es tablished and implemented where respirators are re quired to be used by this section. (2) Respirators shall be used only in cases of emergency and where required by any other provision of this section. Respirators may not be used in lieu of feasi ble engineering controls or workpractice methods. (3) Respirators or combinations of respirators for protection against vinyl chloride shall be selected from among the following: (i) A positive pressure full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus; (ii) A pressure-demand full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus operating in the pressure-demand mode; (iii) A combination type "C" continuous flow respirator and a pressure-demand full facepiece respirator operating in the pressure-demand mode and a pressure-demand self-contained breathing apparatus operating in the pressure-demand mode; or (iv) A combination type "C" continuous flow respirator and a pressure-demand self-contained breathing apparatus operating in the pressure-demand mode. (h) Protective clothing. (I) Employees entering regulated areas shall be provided full-body protective clothing, footwear or shoe covers, and gloves, at no cost to them, and be required to wear it while in the regu lated area. (2) Where polyvinyl chloride powder containing delectable levels of vinyl chloride is handled, employees shall also be: (i) provided and required to wear headcoverings; (ii) required to remove all protective clothing at each exit from the regulated area; and (iii) required to shower after the last exit of the day. (3) Clean protective clothing shall be provided whenever contaminated or soiled, but not less frequently than weekly. Contaminated clothing shall be decon taminated before reuse by removal for laundering or dis posal. (i) Hygiene facilities and practices. (1) Where employees are required by this section to wear protective clothing and equipment, change rooms shall be provided in accordance with 1910.141(e). (2) Where employees are required by this section to shower, shower facilities shall be provided in accordance with 1910.141 (d) (3). (3) Storage or consumption of food or beverages, storage or use of smoking or non-food chewing products, and the storage or application of cosmetics are prohibited in regulated areas. (j) Emergency situations. (1) A written operational plan for emergency situations shall be developed for each regulated area. (2) In the event of an emergency, appropriate por tions of the plan shall be put into operation. (i) Hazardous conditions created by the emergency hall be eliminated and the affected area shall be decon taminated prior to the resumption of normal operations. (ii) Special medical surveillance by a physician shall Occupational Safety & Health Reporter ASI 000013436 CURRENT REPORT be instituted within 24-hours for employees present in the affected area at the time of the emergency. (iii) Where an employee has a known contact with liquid vinyl chloride such employee shall be required to shower as soon as possible, unless contraindicated by physical injuries. (iv) An incident report on the emergency shall be reported as required in paragraph (q) (2) of this section. (3) Each authorized employee shall be trained in a program relating to the hazards of vinyl chloride and the precautions for safe use. (i) The program shall include: (A) the nature of the fire hazard, and the necessary protective steps: (B) The nature of the toxic hazard, including local and systemic effects, acute and chronic effects including specifically the carcinogenic hazard; (C) The specific nature of operations which could result in exposure to vinyl chloride, and necessary protec tive steps: (D) The purpose for and application of the medical surveillance program; (E) The purpose for and application of decontamina tion practices; (F) The purpose for and significance of emergency practices and procedures; (G) The employee's specific role under normal operating or emergency conditions; (H) . Specific information to aid the employee in recognition and evaluation of conditions and situations which may result in the release of vinyl chloride: (I) The purpose for and application of specific first aid procedures and practices; (J) ^ A review of this standard at the employee's first training and indoctrination program and annually thereafter. (ii) All materials relating to the program shall be provided upon request to authorized representatives of the Assistant Secretary and the Director. (k) Signs and labels. (1) Entrances to regulated areas shall be posted with signs bearing the legend: CANCER-SUSPECT AGENT AREA AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY (2) Areas containing operations covered in paragraph (1) (4) of this section shall be posted with signs bearing the legend: CANCER-SUSPECT AGENT IN THIS AREA FULL IMPERVIOUS AIR-SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT REQUIRED AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY (3) Containers of waste or other materials con taminated with vinyl chloride shall be labeled: VINYL CHLORIDE CONTAMINATED MATERIAL CANCER-SUSPECT AGENT DISPOSE OF OR DECONTAMINATE USING AUTHORIZED PROCEDURES (4) Containers of polyvinyl chloride containing detectable levels of vinyl chloride shall be labeled: 1571 POLYVINYL CHLORIDE CONTAINS VINYL CHLORIDE VINYL CHLORIDE IS A CANCER-SUSPECT AGENT ABSORBED BY BREATHING AND THROUGH SKIN (5) Containers of vinyl chloride shall be labeled: VINYL CHLORIDE DANGER EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE GAS UNDER PRESSURE MAY POLYMERIZE WITH EXPLOSIVE FORCE POISON CANCER SUSPECT AGENT AND ANESTHETIC ABSORBED BY BREATHING AND THROUGH SKIN (6) No statement shall appear on or near any re quired sign, label or instruction, which contradicts or detracts from the effect of any required warning, infor mation or instruction. (1) Maintenance and decontamination. (1) Emphasis shall be placed upon immediate clean up of spills, periodic inspection, prompt repair of equipment and leaks, and proper handling, storage and disposal or decontamination of materials to prevent airborne con tamination and accidental skin contact with vinyl chloride. Waste materials, equipment, and other sources of vinyl chloride in closed containers, may not be placed in areas of excessive temperature or sunlight since build up of internal pressure may result in rupture of the con tainer, fire or explosion. (2) Waste resins or other materials contaminated with vinyl chloride shall be placed in closed containers pending disposal or decontamination. (3) Appropriate procedures shall be developed and implemented for the decontamination or disposal of all such waste material. (4) In maintenance or repair operations on con taminated systems or equipment, including vessel entry, employees engaged in such operations shall be (i) provid ed with and required to wear and use a whole-body-airsupplied suit impervious to vinyl chloride, and a respirator in accordance with paragraph (g) of this sec tion: and (ii) required to shower after removing protective equipment. (5) Protective clothing and equipment shall be clean and dry for each use. (6) When vessels or piping systems are opened local exhaust ventilation shall be provided to remove the es caping vapor from all occupied areas. (7) (i) Vessels to be entered shall first be ventilated and monitored so that the concentration of vinyl chloride is reduced to a level within the protection factor capabili ty of the protective equipment. (ii) When vessels are to be entered, all piping to such vessels shall be: (A) Opened, blanked and tagged; or (B) Where welded piping is in use. not less than 2 valves in series, which isolate the vessel from any other connection to such line, must be closed and secured. Copyright 6 1974 by Tho Bureau of National Affair*, Inc. ASI 000013437 1572 (iii)No employee shall enter a vessel, except when another employee properly trained and equipped for en try is present and is observing the employee in the vessel. The observer shall have means for signalling for help in the event the employee experiences problems. Under such conditions, the observer shall signal for help, and shall not enter to assist the employee until another person is present to observe. (m) Transportation loading and unloading. (I) Facilities for the loading and unloading of vinyl chloride to and from containers shall have each transfer line and vapor-equalizing line equipped with vent connections, and shall have an inert gas purging system. Vent and purge effluent shall be returned to a process stream or flared in a safe location. (2) Procedures shall be developed and implemented for the transfer of vinyl chloride. Written copies of such procedures shall be provided employees engaged in such operations, and such employees shall be fully trained and rehearsed in all procedures. (3) Employees engaged in transfer operations shall be provided with and required to wear respirators in ac cordance with paragraph (g) of this section. (n) Polymer handling operations. (I) Containers of polyvinyl chloride releasing detectable levels of vinyl chloride shall be opened and transferred only under local exhaust ventilation which reduces the concentration of vinyl chloride below the detectable level. (2) Hot operations, such as but not limited to milling, calendering and extruding, which release detectable levels of vinyl chloride, shall be carried on only under local ex haust ventilation which reduces the concentration of vinyl chloride below the detectable level. (o) Medical surveillance. Not later than ........... 1974, a program of medical surveillance shall be in stituted. and shall provide each authorized employee with an opportunity for examinations in accordance with this paragraph. All medical examinations and procedures shall be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO). All medical examinations and tests shall be provided without cost to the employee. (1) At the time of initial employment, or upon institution of screen ing, a physical examination shall be performed with specific attention to detecting enlargement of liver or spleen by abdominal palpation. (2) At the time of initial employment or upon institu tion of screening, and annually thereafter, a medical history checklist shall be completed by the employee. This list shall include questions concerning: (i) alcohol in take: (ii) past history of hepatitis: (iii) past exposure to potential hepatotoxic agents, in cluding drugs and chemicals: (iv) past history of blood transfusions: and (v) past history of hospitalizations. (3) At the time of initial employment, or upon in stitution of screening, a serum specimen shall be obtained for screening with respect to the following bio-chemical determinations of liver function: (i) total bilirubin: (ii) alkaline phosphatase: OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH REPORTER (iii) serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT) (iv) serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT): and (v) gamma glustamyl transpeptidase (GGTP). (4).. Additional tests that may optionally be con sidered for use in screening include: (i) lactic dehydrogenase: * (ii) serum protein determinations; (iii) serum protein electrophoresis; and (iv) platelet count. (5) Laboratory analyses for all biological specimens included in medical examinations shall be performed in laboratories accredited by the College of American Pathologists or licensed under 42 CFR Part 74. (6) If the results of screening required in paragraph (o) (3) of this section are normal, screening shall be repeated: (i) every six months for employees who have been employed in vinyl chloride related operations for 10 years or more; and (ii) annually for all other employees entering regulated areas. (7) If one or more liver function tests performed are abnormal, serum testing shall be repeated as soon as possible, preferably within two to four weeks. If no ab normalities are present upon rescreening, serum testing shall be repeated in three months. (8) If abnormalities persist upon rescreening, the employee shall be withdrawn from areas where contact with vinyl chloride is possible, and an individualized medical workup shall be instituted. Suggested as initial steps are a complete physical examination and various special prbeedures such as hepatitis B antigen determina tion and liver scanning. If liver function abnormalities are determined to be unrelated to liver disease, the employee may be permitted to return to vinyl chloride-related employment, subject to individual medical evaluation. (9) A complete and accurate record of the results of medical examinations shall be made and maintained for the duration of employment plus five years, or for 20 years, whichever is longer. (p) Records. (1) Records of monitoring and measur ing, medical records, and regulated area entry rosters and summaries, shall be made available for examination and copying upon request to authorized representatives of the Assistant Secretary and the Director. (2) In the event that the employer ceases to do business and there is no successor to receive and retain his records for the prescribed period, these records shall be transmitted by registered mail to the Director, and each employee individually notified in writing of this transfer. (3) Employees and their designated representatives shall be provided access to examine and copy records of monitoring and measuring. (4) Former employees shall be provided access to ex amine and copy records reflecting their own exposures. (5) Upon written request of any employee, a copy of the medical record of such employee shall be furnished to physician designated by the employee in such request. Oecupotionol Setaty & Htelth Reporter ASI 000013438 CURRENT REPORT * 1573 (q) Reports. (I) Not later than............ the following employees and any medical surveillance program im information shall be reported to the OSH A Area Direc plemented; and tor. Any change in such information shall be reported to (D) An analysis of the circumstances of the incident, the OSH A Area Director within 15 days of such change, and measures taken or to be taken, with specific comple (i) The address and location Of each establishment which tion dates, to avoid further similar releases. f has one or more regulated areas; and (3) Upon completion of any monitoring and measur (ii) The number of employees in each regulated area ing which discloses that any employee has actually been during normal operations, including maintenance. exposed to detectable levels of vinyl chloride, each such (2) Incidents which result in the release of vinyl employee shall be individually notified in writing. The chloride into any area where employees may be exposed notice shall; (i) be delivered not later than 10 working shall be reported in accordance with this paragraph, (i) A days after completion of the monitoring and measuring; report of the occurrence of the incident and the facts ob (ii) state the actual exposure in terms of concentra tainable at that time including a report on any medical tion and time; and treatment of affected employees shall be made within 24 (iii) state the steps which have been taken, are being hours to the OSHA Area Director. taken, and will be taken, with specific completion dates, (ii) A written report shall be filed with the OSHA to terminate the exposure and prevent a recurrence. Area Director within 15 calendar days thereafter and (Secs. 6 (b). 6 (c). and 8 (c). 84 Stat. 1593, 1596, 1599 shall include (A) A specification of the amount of (29 U.S.C. 655. 657); Secretary of Labor's Order No. material released; 12-71 (36 FR 8754)) (B) A description of the area involved and the extent of known and potential employee exposure and area affected; (C) A report on any medical treatment of affected Signed at Washington, D.C this 6th day of May, 1974. /s/John Stender Assistant Secretary of Labor t f cl i i f f Copyright 1974 by Th* Bortov *1 Nationol Affoiri, Inc. ASI 000013439