Document NNNwgJ0b5Rp16zLZ0NrV07yRV

OSHA Amends Standard for ,, Maine Approves NPCA Request for Lead Labeling Carcinogens An emergency standard designed to protect workers against the toxic effects of 14 cancer-producing materials used in industry has been revised so its re quirements may be applied more readily to different types of workplaces and work operations. At the same time, the Department of Labor reconfirmed its original findings concerning the toxicity of all 14 carcino gens. saying that grave danger would result from exposure to any of them. The Department emphasized, hovvever. that neither the emergency standard nor a proposed permanent standard pub lished July 16 bans the use of any of the cancer-producing agents that are used in the chemical and rubber industries, in the manufacture of dyes and pigments, and in the preparation of flame-resist ant fabrics. The revised standard, published in the Federal Register July 27. became effec tive July 30. The standard deals more particularly with different work func tions. such as isolated environment op erations. closed system operations, and open vessel operations. The major differences from the origi nal emergency standard include the es tablishment of more accurate warning signs at entrances to controlled areas and labels on containers, and specifica tion of controls necessary to protect employees working in different cate gories of operations. The Polyurethane Manufacturers As sociation of Chicago, applying on behalf of 49 member companies, has been granted on interim variance from this standard. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said that it would allow the companies to follow substitute procedures pending a final decision on the application. The order affects appli cant company operations in 25 states, standard. OSHA said that it would al low the companies to follow substitute procedures pending a final decision on the application. The order affects appli cant company operations in 25 states. The interim order was granted to pre vent "undue hardship" while the appli cation is studied. It affects 4.4'-Methy- lene (bis)-2-Chloroaniline. a chemical used in the manufacture of polyure thane;^___________________ INFLUENCE TOMORROW TODAY. . . ...the theme of NPCA's 1973 Annual Meeting ... to be held November 12-14 in Chicago. For registration forms write NPCA headquarters. Or. Dean Fisher. Commissioner. State of Maine Department of Health and Wel fare. has advised NPCA that its request for "alternate wording" for labels of products with lead content in excess of that permitted by state law (0.5%) has been approved. The Maine law. passed earlier this year, requires that covered products be la beled with specific language, but pro vides for approval in writing of alternate wording. NPCA requested, and the Depart ment now has approved, the use of such alternate wording. The alternate word ing is consistent with NPCA "Recom mended Label 14" (for household prod ucts) and the NPCA "Recommended Label for Industrial Coatings Containing Lead Compounas" in the Association's new Labeling Guide. The Maine Lead Poisoning Control Act becomes effective on October 3. 1973. All products marketed in the state after that date must bear the prescribed labeling. Any product, which may be pur chased by the general public, must bear the label warning prescribed for house hold or trade sales products. Report on Supply of Raw Materials Released The first report on the status of the supply of raw materials in the paint and coatings industry has been released by NPCA's Industry Suppliers Committee (Industry Suppliers Bulletin #73-1). The report will be issued periodically to keep NPCA member companies in formed on the current supply of raw ma terials used by the industry, according to Royal A. Brown. NPCA's Technical Oirector. The Bulletin uses a color code to show current production capacity as well as supply: green indicates an adequate supply is available: yellow, the demand and supply are in balance: and red, the demand exceeds the supply. The report includes information on the current supply situation concerning production capacity, supply of inter mediates for the raw material, and com ments on the reasons for the current shortage, if one exists. The report gives information in the following categories of raw materials: RESINS--alkyds. polyesters, acrylics, epoxy, vinyls, melamines and ureas. PVA latex, acrylic latex, natural types, hydrocarbons, phenolics. rosin and cellulosics; PIGMENTS--titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, clays and natural silicas, syn thetic silicas, barytes, talc, calcium car bonate. inorganic and organic colors, and aluminum: SOLVENTS -- hydrocar bons (aliphatic and aromatic), esters, ketones, alcohols, and nitro paraffins: ADDITIVES--driers, fungicides, mildewcides. and specials: and CONTAINERS -- trade sales types and child protection packages. The Industry Suppliers Committee has emphasized that NPCA members should consult their own supplier for details and the most current information on a given type of material. The Committee has also indicated that it will be glad to include comments on other types of raw materials if a need is expressed by mem bers. Comments and requests for copies may be obtained by writing: Royal A. Brown. Technical Director. NPCA head quarters. DOT Explains Procedures for Clearing Records of Violations The Department of Transportation's Office of Hazardous Materials has ex plained procedures enabling shippers to clear their records following an inspec tion and violation notice. Basically, the procedure involves noti fying the appropriate regional and na tional officials that the violations have been corrected. DOT noted that a shipper of hazard ous materials is obligated to comply with the Hazardous Materials Regula tions or the Motor Carriers Safety Reg ulations. When an inspection discloses that the shipper has not accepted this responsibility, the record has been es tablished and cannot be cleared by ad ministrative action. However, when the shipper takes corrective action, these measures can also be made a matter of record. When the inspector completes his in spection. a plant or company official should review the findings to establish a clear understanding of the violations. tSee "DOT Clearing Records Explained" on page 78.1 COATINGS it ouOManad Mmi-momniy d v tna National Ramt ana Coatings Association. 1500 Anooa island Ava . NW,, Wasmngton. O.C.