Document Rp84dQpD1XxNzZxVRnBNaykZv

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Occupational Safety and Health Administration WASHINGTON, D.C. 20210 MAR 1 ? 197S FIELD INFORMATION MEMORANDUM 76-12 TO: Regional Administrators/OSHA SUBJECT: Vinyl Chloride, 1910.1017 The Vinyl Chloride standard 29 CFR 1910.1017(g)(1) provides that until April 1, 1976 the use of respiratory protection as mandated by the standard shall be at the discretion of each employee for exposures not in excess of 25 ppm, measured over any 15 minute period. Please note that this period Is about to expire and that as of April 1, an employer shall provide appropriate respiratory protection and shall assure that employees use such protection. Questions may be directed to Ray McClure in the Washington, D.C. National Office, 202-523-8096. Associate Assistant Secretary for Regional Programs David A. Kuhn conocoj ^CM C . ! . G re m i ] 1 i c n , L C - V C M R. A. Darling, Abercaen J. Uptain, Aberdeen R. T. Ferre)!, Oklahoma City W. V. Henry, Oklahoma City F. Kennedy, Ponca City C. Whetstone, Ponca City D. V. Porchey, Ponca City Date -/17/.'^ Attached are letters from the Department of Labor to Firestone Plastics and Union Carbide giving clarifica tion of certain sections of the OSHA VCM standard. These interpretations may be considered official and may give us some help os we try to comply. In particu lar, I call your attention to a changing attitude toward "massive release," some options for respiratory p/oteition and a clarification of medical surveillance. DAK/ac at t. VVC 000020539 f