Document gDYX66KJK058z54q9GObmyxeG

RUBBER MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION 1901 PENNSUVANIA AVE N W WASHINGTON H C 200116 (9021 785-2609 RECEDED MAy 1 o REC'O ! VC - 4 May 10, 1974 j? 1 | TO: SUBJECT: Manufacturers and/or Users of Vinyl Chloride/Polyvinyl Chloride OSHA Proposed Permanent Standard for Exposure to Vinyl Chloride Gentlemen: Enclosed for your information is the subject document published in today's Federal Register. Please note the following major points of the proposal: 1) The scope and application refers to "any area or operation in which vinyl chloride ... is manufactured, reacted, released, repackaged, stored, or used, including areas and operations involving polyvinyl chloride where detectable levels of vinyl chloride are released" (emphasis added). 2) The proposed standard for employee exposure is set at no detectable level, as determined by a sampling and analytical method capable of detecting vinyl chloride at concentrations of 1 ppm with an accuracy of 1 ppm plus or minus 50 percent. 3) A program of monitoring would be required to es tablish whether there are detectable levels in regulated areas and to permit determination of employee exposures on an iridividual basis. 4) Where detectable levels of VC are monitored, two programs would be initiated -- an engineering , and work practice program to reduce levels before detectability, and during that time, a respiratory program for employees would be necessary. 5) Comprehensive requirements for employee medical examinations are proposed, including necessary tests. GENC 007025 VC - 4 Page 2 6) Records of monitoring, medical examinations, and entry to regulated areas are proposed. Provisions are also included for employee access to monitoring records as well as a requirement to furnish a copy of a medical record to an employee's physician on the employee's request. 7) Establishments conducting VC operations would be required to identify themselves to OSHA and to report accidents resulting in the re lease of vinyl chloride. Comments on the proposal, as well as requests for OSHA to conduct an informal hearing, must be mailed to the Docket Officer, Docket OSH-36, Room 230, 1726 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20210, postmarked no later than June 10, 1974. The RMA will request that a hearing be held, and, through its Occupational Safety and Health Committee, will initiate a program for coordinating an industry position. Representatives of individual companies are requested to submit to the undersigned specific objections to the proposed standard as soon as possible. FTR:clc Frank T. Ryan Secretary RMA Occupational Safety and Health Committee GENC 007026 PROPOSED RULES haye been occupationally related. As a result of this notification and after, con sultation with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NI0SH), and a joint Inspection of the riant by OSHA, NIOSH, and the Ken tucky Department of Labor, a fact-find ing hearing on possible hazards Involved with the manufacture and use of VC was announced on January 30. 1974 (39 Ffl 3874) and held on February 15, 1974. 2. Carcinogenicity of VC. Information produced at this hearing demonstrated that exposure of laboratory animals (mostly Sfjrague-Dawley rats) to VC by Inhalation at and below the then current OSHA standard of 500 ppm induced tumors, Including angiosarcomas of the liver. Professor Cesare Maltonl, of the Instttuto di Oncologia, Bologna, Italy, reported on a series of experiments on the effect of exposure of rats, mice, and hamsters to VC at concentrations of 6,000; 2,500; 500; 250; and 50 ppm for varying periods of time (TR- 48-63). Some of the experiments have been concluded, and others are still on going. The experimental results reported were that tumors have been observed in groups of animals exposed to VC at con centrations as low as 250 ppm. No tumors were observed in the group of animals exposed to VC at a concentration of 50 ppm. It also appears that the total num ber 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 Pro DEPARTMENT OF LABOR fessor Maltonl was reported underway involving the exposure of 300 animals 7- : Occupational Safety and Health to VC at concentrations of 50 ppm, in Administration order to assess 1ft a more definitive way [ 290FR Part 1910 J- whether that level of exposure produces (DOcket OSH-36] tranors in animals. Data reported by Torfcelson", Oyen and Rowe (American VINYL CHLORIDE Industrial Hygiene Association J 22: 254- . Proposed Standard 361 (1961)) indicate that exposure to VC at concentrations of 50 ppm failed to 1, Background. Vinyl chloride (chloro- induce tumors in rats, hamsters, rabbits, ethene) Chemical Abstracts Service Registry No, 75015, is a synthetic chemi cal made by oxychlorination of ethylene or by hydrochlorination of acetylene. It Is the parent compound of a series of themoplastic resin polymers and co polymers Which are widely used for con tainers, wrapping film, electrical Insula tion, pipe, conduit, and a variety of other products. Vinyl chloride has been made commercially in this country since 1939 and, present production is in excess of seven billion pounds per year. and dogs. The employees of the B. F. Goodrich Chemical Company who died from angio sarcoma pf the liver had an average ex posure of approximately IB years to vinyl chloride, at unknown concentrations, and variable exposures to other volatile chemicals. (TR 93). Some employees of Union Carbide, Firestone Tire and Rub ber. and Goodyear were also reported in post-hearing comments to have had ex posure to vinyl chloride and to have died from angiosarcoma of the liver. Finally, Vinyl chloride (VC) is a gas at am autopsies of four deceased employees re bient temperature and pressure and is a vealed their liver angiosarcoma tumors chlorinated - hydrocarbon' which has were histologically indistinguishable moderate liver toxicity. The previous from the angiosarcoma tumors observed standard set a ceiling value of 500 parts in Professor Maltoni's experimental per-million (ppm) (29 CPR 1910.93, Table animals. Q-l). 3. The Emergency Temporary Stand On January 22, 1974, the Occupational ard. On the basis of all information Safety and Health Administration available at that time, and the fact that (OSHA) was informed by the National employees were being exposed at levels Institute for Occupational Safety and around the experimentally observed ef Health (NIOSH) that the B. F. Good fect level of 250 ppm, an Emergency rich Chemical Company reported that Temporary-Standard (ETS) was promul deaths of several of its employees from gated on April 6. 1974 (39 FR 12342) as a rare liver cancer (angiosarcoma) may 29 CFR 1910.93q. This standard reduced the level from a ceiling of 500 ppm to 50 ppm celling. It was expressly recognized that this standard limiting exposures to a 50 ppm level was intended to be a ten tative. 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 in formation. especially results of experi ments which were known to be under way at that time. 4, Additional information. On April 15, 1974, Information and data were pre sented to representatives of OSHA, NIOSH and the EPA by the Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories, Northbrook, Illi nois, concerning results of animal ex posure 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, de veloped angiosarcomas of the liver. The Industrial Bio-Test Lab data in dicate that exposure to VC at 50 ppm may well constitute a serious health haz ard to employees. Also, the question of a safe level of exposure for humans can not be determined at this time, and may continue as a matter for scientific de liberation for many years. We therefore conclude that it is now necessary to pro pose to change the 50 ppm level estab lished In the ETS to as low a level as can be detected using methodologies outlined in this proposal. (5) The proposed permanent standard. The requirements for a complete stand ard, under section 6(b) of the Occupa tional Safety and Health Act of 1970 are much more comprehensive than the provisions of the ETS promulgated on April 5. The following proposals are re sponsive to the additional information on the carcinogenicity 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 determined by a sampling and analytical method capable of detecting vinyl chloride at concentra tions of 1 ppm with an accuracy of I ppm--50 percent. Although more sensi tive 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 1 ppm sensitivity has been recommended to OSHA by NIOSH. To minimize the number of persons at risk, a require ment would be established for regulating areas where vinyl chloride is manufac tured, reacted, stored, handled,-released, repackaged, or used, including opera tions with polyvinyl chloride containing detectable levels of vinyl chloride. Access to the areas would be limited to author ized employees. B. Monitoring. A program of monitor ing would be required to est blish whether there are detectable levels in regulated areas and to permit determina tion of employee exposures on an in dividual basis. Provision would also be FEDERAL REGISTER, VOL 39, NO. 97-- FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1974 GEHC 007027 PROPOSED RULES 16897 made for an opportunity to observe monitoring by employees or their desig nated representatives, as required by section 8(c) (3) of the Act. C. Control methods. Where detectable levels of VC are monitored, two pro grams would be triggered; an engineeringtad work practice program to reduce lewis below- detectability; and while this is on-going, a respiratory protection pro gram for employees in the regulated area. Engineering controls and work prac tices are favored methods of compliance because they tend to avoid contamina tion of the ambient air in the workplace. Accordingly, It Is proposed to require the Institution pf engineering controls and of workpractice methods as soon as feasi ble, and to require the use of respirators pending the Institution of such controls, to supplement such controls where they are Insufficient to reduce concentrations of, vinyl chloride below the detectable level. In specified work situations, and in cases of emergency. The proposal for continuous flow and pressure demand typeaof respirators is based on the rec ommendations of NIOSH, which has-ob served leakage through chemical car tridge respirators at high concentrations of VC. A requirement would also be estab lished for the provision and use of pro tective clothing for employees in the reg ulated' areas. The protective clothing Wpuid minimize skin contact with VC vaper, aqd would provide some measure of protection from splash of liquid in the event of a spill or rupture of equip ment. Pood, beverages, and like products would be prohibited In the regulated area. Written operational and emergency plans would be required, along with em ployee training in routine and emergency duties. Specific requirements would be established for emergency actions and for routine maintenance and decontami nation operations, including vessel entry, which are known to present particular hazards. Tire purposes of operational and emer gency plans and training are to apprise employees of the hazards to which they pia? be exposed, of the precautions they muAt take to avoid such hazards, and to rehearse employees in the procedures they must follow in emergencies. ` D. Medical surveillance. Comprehen sive requirements for employee medical examinations are proposed, including necessary tests. Some additional guid ance is included for the convenience of physicians. The proposed requirements have been Recommended to OSHA by NIOSH as reasonably appropriate to de tect liver dysfunction which may be in dicative of, or predisposing to, the de velopment of liver angiosarcomas. E. Records and reports. Records of monitoring, medical examinations, and entry to regulated areas are proposed, with provision for access by appropriate OSHA and NIOSH officials. Specific pro. visions for employee access to monitoring records are Included, as well as the re quirement to furnish a copy of a medical record to an employee's physician on the employee's request. Establishments con ducting VC operations would be required to identify themselves to OSHA, and to report incidents (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 1870 (84 Stat. 1593, 1596, 1599; 29 U.S.C. 655, 657), Sec retary of Labor's Order No. 12-71 (36 FR 8754) and 29 CFR Part 1911, It is here by proposed to amend 29 CFR Part 1910 by revising $ I910.93q 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.. Occupa tional Safety and Health Administra tion, Washington, D.C. 20210, post marked not later than June 10, 1974. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1911.11 (b) and (c), Interested persons may file objec tions to the proposals, requesting an in formal hearing with respect thereto, in accordance with the following condi tions; (1) The objections must include the name and address of the objector: (2) The objections must be post marked 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 accom panied by a summary of the evidence proposed to be adduced at the requested hearing. As revised, { 1910.93q would read as follows: % 1910.93q Vinyl Chloride. (a) Scope and application. (1) This section applies to any area or operation in which vinyl chloride (chloroethene), Chemical Abstracts Service Registry No. 75015. is manufactured, reacted, re leased, repackaged, stored, or used, in cluding 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. (1) ``Assistant Secre tary" 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 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 reduc tion of vinyl chloride concentrations to less than detectable levels. (6) "Detectable level" means an air borne concentration of vinyl chloride measurable by a sampling and analytical method capable of measuring concentra tions of 1 ppm, with an accuracy of 1 ppm50 percent. (7) "Director" means the Director, Na tional Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, or any person directed by hlm or the Secretary of Health, Educa tion, and Welfare to act for the Director. (8) "Emergency" means an unforseen circumstance or set of circumstances, re sulting in the release of vinyl chloride into areas occupied by employees. (9) "Exposure" means actual contact with vinyl chloride when unprotected by required personal protective equipment and clothing. (10) "Fabricated product" means a finished product or part of such product, made of polyvinyl chloride, entirely or In part, including semifinished products such as film, sheet, block, bar, or extru sion stock. (ID "OSHA Area Director" means the Director for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Area Office hav ing jurisdiction over the geographic area in which the establishment is located. (12) "Polyvinyl chloride" means poly vinyl chloride homopolymer or copol ymer before such is converted to a fab ricated product. (13) "Protective clothing" means clothing protective against vinyl chlo ride. (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 ves sels and piping. (c) Reference. College of American Pathologists, 230 N. Michigan Ave., Chi cago, Illinois 60601. (4) Regulated areas. (1) A regulated area shall be established where (I) vinyl chloride is manufactured, reacted, re leased, repackaged, stored, or used; or (ii) polyvinyl chloride capable of re leasing detectable levels of vinyl chlbride Is manufactured, reacted, released, repackaged, stored, or used. (2) Access to regulated areas shall be limited to authorized employees, (3) A daily roster of employees enter ing regulated areas shall be made and maintained. The rosters, or summaries thereof, shall be kept for at least 20 years. (e) Monitoring. (1) 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 confi dence level of 95 percent. (3) Employees or their designated rep resentatives shall be afforded an oppor tunity tcrobserve monitoring and measur ing required by this paragraph. (i) Where exercise of an opportunity requires entry to an area where the use X gjr (M Sb'U'A-U.c. d) F No, 92--Pt. I----10 FEDERAL REGISTER, VOL. 39, NO. 92---FRIDAY, MAY >0, 1974 6EMC 007028 16898 PROPOSED RULES cl protective clothing, equipment, fa (2) There shall be tests made for (j) Emergency situations. (1) A writ cilities, or procedures Is required, such process or equipment leaks and for emis ten operational plan for emergency Clothing, equipment, facilities, and pro sion of vinyl chloride which may result situations shall be developed for each cedures shall be provided to all persons from workpractlces. The frequency of regulated area. entitled to exercise the opportunity, at no these tests shall be such as to Insure the (2) In the event of an emergency, ap cost,to any of them. Integrity of equipment and adherence to propriate portions of the plan shall be (11) persons exercising the opportu proper workpractlces. put Into operation. nity shall be Instructed regarding: (g) Respiratory protection. (1) A res (1) Hazardous conditions created by (Ai The toxicity and fire , hazard of piratory protection program in accord the emergency Shall be eliminated and vinyl chloride; and. ance with { 1010.134 shall be established the affected area shall be decontami <B) The protective steps and measures and implemented where respirators are nated prior to the resumption of normal necessary for their protection. required to be used by this section. operations. (ill) Observers shall be permitted, (2) Respirators shall be used only in (ii) Special medical surveillance by a without Interference to the persons per cases of emergency and where required physician shall be instituted within 24- forming the monitoring artd measuring, by any other provision of this section. hours for employees present in the af to: Respirators may not be used in lieu of fected area at the time of the emergency. (A) observe all steps and procedures related to the collecting, processing, and evaluation of particular monitoring and measurement samples; (0) ' Record quantities and results obtained; (C) , Observe the condition of monitor ing and measuring equipment; - feasible engineering controls or workpractice methods. (3) Respirators or combinations of respirators for protection against vinyl chloride shall be selected from among the following: (1) A positive pressure full facepiece self-contained breathing apparatus; (ii) A pressure-demand full facepiece (D) Receive a demonstration of the self-contained breathing apparatus op calibration and function tests of the erating in the pressure-demand mode; (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 emer gency 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 pre monitoring and measuring equipment performed on site; and (iii) A combination, type "C" pressuredemand full facepiece respirator oper cautions for safe use. (i) The program shall include: (E> Examine instructions and docu ating in the pressure-demand mode and (A) The nature of the fire hazard, and ments related to the procedures and' equipment for monitoring and measur a pressure-demand self-contained breathing apparatus operating in the ing. pressure-demand mode; or (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 (il) Identify the lnstru.jnents and methods used. . <D Engineering controls and work.practice methods. (1) Where detectable levels of vinyl chloride are measured, immediate protection shall be provided against exposure to vinyl chloride by the use of engineering controls, workpractice methods, and respirators as follows: (iv) A combination type "C" continu ous flow respirator and a pressuredemand Self-contained breathing ap paratus - operating in the pressure-de mand mode. (h) Protective clothing. (1) Employees entering regulated areas shall be pro vided full-body protective clothing, foot wear or shoe covers, and gloves, at no cost to them, and required to wear it while in the regulated area. (2) Where polyvinyl chloride powder containing detectable levels of ylnyl chloride is handled, employees shall (1) Feasible engineering controls and also be; workpractice methods shall immediately be used to reduce airborne concentra tions of vinyl chloride below the detect able level; . (11) Wherever feasible engineering controls and workpractice methods WtdCh can be instituted immediately are not sufficient to reduce concentrations of (I) Provided and required to wear headooverings; (II) Required to remove all protective clothing at each ejeit from the regulated area; and (Iii) Required to shower after (he last exit of the day. vinyl chloride below the detectable level, they shall nonetheless be used to reduce (3) Clean protective clothing shall be provided whenever contaminated or the concentrations to the lowest prac soiled, but not less frequently than ticable level, and shall be supplemented weekly. Contaminated clothing shall be by means of respirators in accordance decontaminated before reuse by removal with paragraph (g) of this section; for laundering or disposal. (iii) Wherever no feasible engineering (i) Hygiene facilities and practices. control or workpractice method can be (1) Where employees are required by instituted immediately, immediate res this section to wear protective clotiiing piratory protection shall be provided In and equipment, change rooms shall accordance with paragraph (g) of this be provided in accordance with section; and 1910.141(e). (iv) In any case covered by paragraph (2) Where employees are required by (f) (1) (ii) or (ill) of this section, the this section to shower, shower facilities the necessary protective steps; tB) 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 protective steps; (D) The purpose for and application of the medical surveillance program; (E) The purpose for and application of decontamination practices; (F) The purpose for and significance of emergency practices and procedures; (0) The employee's specific role under normal operating or emergency condi tions; <H) Specific information to aid the employee In recognition and evaluation of conditions and situations which may result In the release of vinyl chloride; (1) The purpose for and application of specific first aid procedures and prac tices; (J) A review of this standard at the employee's first training and indoctri nation program and annually thereafter. (ii) All materials relating to the pro gram shall be provided upon request to authorized representatives of the Assist ant 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 cov ered in paragraph (k) (1) *4) of this sec tion shall be posted with signs bearing the legend: employer shall also undertake'as soon as shall be provided in accordance with CANCER-SUSPECT AGENT IN THIS AREA practicable a program to reduce airborne 5 1910.141(d) (3). PULL IMPERVIOUS AIRiSUPPLIED EQUIP concentrations of vinyl chloride below (3) ' Storage or consumption of food MENT REQUIRED **he detectable level, or to the greatest or beverages, storage or use of smoking AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY extent feasible, solely by means of engi or non-food chewing products, and the <3) Containers of waste or other ma neering controls and workpractice meth storage or application of cosmetics are terials contaminated with vinyl chloride ods and as soon as feasible. prohibited in regulated areas. shall be labeled: FEDERAL REGISTER, VOL. 39, NO. 92--FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1974 6EMC 00702? PROPOSED RULES 16899 BUTYL 0HLOREDE CONTAMINATED' MATERIAL . cANcEr-sttspect agent , tSX3PQ&& OF OB decontaminate using ' AUTHORIZED PRECEDUBES (11) When vessels are to be entered, all piping to tuch vessel shall be: (A) Opened, blanked and tagged; or (B) Where welded piping Is in use, not less than 2 valves in series, which isolate Containers of polyvinyl chloride the vessel from any other connection to containing. detectable levels of vinyl such line, must be closed and secured. ohlorideshall be labeled: (ill) No employee shall enter a vessel, TOLYVINYL CHLORIDE except when another employee properly -CONTAINS VINYL CHLORIDE trained and equipped for entry is pres VINYL CHLORIDE IS A ent and is observing the employee In the CANOER-SUSPBCT AGENT vessel. The observer shall have means ABSORBED by breathing and for signalling for help in the event the THROUGH SKIN employee experiences problems. Under (tl) Containers of vinyl chloride shall be labeled: VINYL CHLORIDE , DANGER ' EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE UNDER PRESSURE. GAB such conditions, the observer shall "sig nal for help, and shall not enter to assist the employee until another person is present to observe. (m) Transportation loading and un loading. (1) Facilities for the loading MAY POLYMERIZE "WITH and unloading of vinyl chloride to and - EXPLOSIVE FORCE from containers shall have each transfer POISON line and vapor-equalizing line equipped CANCER SUSPECT AGENT AND with vept connections, and shall have ANESTHETIC ABSORBED BY BREATHING AND THROUGH SKIN an inert gas purging system. Vent and purge effluent shall be returned to a proc ess stream or flared in a safe location. (8) No statement shall appear on or (2) Procedures shall be developed and near any required- sign, label or instruc Implemented for the transfer of vinyl tion. which contradicts or detracts from chloride. Written copies of such proce the effect of any required warning, in dures shall be provided employees en formation or instruction. gaged in such operations, and such em (1) . Maintenance and decontamina ployees shall be fully trained and re tion, (i) Emphasis shall be placed upon hearsed in all procedures. immediate clean up of spills, periodic in spection, prompt repair of equipment and (3) Employees engaged in transfer op erations shall be provided with and 1eafcs, and proper handling, storage and required to wear respirators in accord diepqgal or decontamination of materials ance with paragraph (g) of this section. to prevent airborne contamination and accidental skin contact with vinyl chlo ride. 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 container, fire or explosion. (2) Waste resins or other materials contaminated with vinyl chloride shall be placed in closed containers pending dis posal or decontamination. (3) Appropriate procedures shall be developed and implemented for the de contamination or disposal of all such (n) Polymer handling operations. (1) Containers of polyvinyl chloride releas ing detectable levels of vinyl chloride shall be opened and transferred only under local exhaust ventilation which reduces the concentration of vinyl chlo ride below the detectable level. (2) Hot operations, such as but not limited to milling, calendering and ex truding, which release detectable levels of vinyl chloride, shall be carried on only under local exhaust ventilation which reduces the concentration of vinyl chlo ride below the detectable level. (o) Medical surveillance. Not, later waste material. (4) In maintenance or repair opera tions . on contaminated-systems or equipment, including vessel entry, em ployees engaged in such operations shall be (1) provided with and required to wear and use a whole-body air-sUpplied suit impervious to vinyl chloride, and a respirator in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section; and (ii) required to shower after removing protective equip ment. i than 1974, a program of medical surveillance shall be Insti tuted, and shall provide each authorized employee with an opportunity for ex aminations in accordance with this para graph. 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 examina tions and tests shall be provided without cost to the employee. (6) Protective olothing ang equipment (1) At the time of Initial employment, shall be clean and dry for each use. or upon Institution of screening, a physi (6) When vessels or piping systems are cal examination shall be performed with opened local exhaust ventilation shall be specific attention to detecting enlarge provided to remove the escaping vapor ment of liver or spleen by abdominal from all occupied areas. palpation. (7) (i) Vessels to be entered shall first (2) At the time of initial employment be ventilated and monitored so that the concentration of vinyl chloride is reduced to a level within the protection factor or upon institution of screening, and an nually thereafter, a medical history checklist shall be completed by the em ployee. This list shall Include questions capability of the protective equipment. concerning: (I) Alcohol ihtake; (II) Fast history of hepatitis ; (ill) Past exposure to potential hepatotoxlc agents, including drugs and chemicals; (iv) Past history of blood transfu sions*, and (v) Past history of hospitalizations. (3) At the time of initial employment, or upon institution of screening, a serum specimen shall be obtained for screening with respect to the following bio-chemi cal determinations of liver function : (i) Total bilirubin; (ii) Alkaline phosphatase; (lii) Serum glutamic oxalacetic trans aminase (BOOT); (iv) Serum glutamic pyruvic trans aminase (SGPT): and (v) Gamma glustamyl transpeptidase (GGTP). (4) Additional tests that may option ally be considered 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 biologi cal specimens included in medical exam inations shall be performed In labora tories accredited by the College of American Pathologists or licensed under 43 CFR isart 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 chlo ride 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 abnormalities are present upon re screening, serum testing shall be re peated In three months, (8) If abnormalities persist upon rescreening, the employee shall be with drawn from areas where contact with vinyl chloride Is possible, and an individ ualized medical workshop shall be in stituted. Suggested as initial steps are a complete physical examination and vari ous special procedures such as hepatitis B antigen determination and liver scan ning. If liver function abnormalities are determined to be unrelated to liver dis ease, the employee may be permitted to return to vinyl chloride-related employ ment, subject to individual medical evaluation. (9) A complete and accurate record of the results of medical examinations shall be made and maintained for the dura tion of employment plus five years, or for 20 years,- whichever is longer. (p) Records. (1) Records of monitor ing and measuring, medical records, and regulated area entry rosters and sum maries, shall be made available for ex amination and copying upon request to authorized representatives of the Assist ant Secretary and the Director. GENC 007030 ' FEDERAL REGISTER, VOL. 39, NO. 92--FRIDAY, MAY 10,,1974 K!//,(? fry 16900 PROPOSED RULES C2) In the event that the employer ceases to do business and there Is no suecessor to receive and retain his records for the prescribed period, these records shall be transmitted by registered mail to the Director, and each employee lndlvidually notified in writing of this transfer, (3) Employees 'and their designated representatives shall be provided access to examine and copy records of monitor ing and measuring. (4) rtormer employees shall be pro vided acces to examine and copy records reflecting their own exposures. <5) Upon written request of any em ployee, a copy of the medical record of -such employee shall be furnished to a physician designated by the employee in such request. (q) Reports. (1) Not later than ,,___ -------- the following information shall be reported to the OSHA Area Director. Any change in such Information shall be reported to the OSHA Area Director within 15 days of such change. <i) The address and location of each establishment which has one or more regulated areas; and <ii>' The number of employees in each regulatedarea during normal operations, indudtng nmlntenance.,, (2) Incidents which result in the re lease of vinyl chloride into any area where employees may be exposed shah be reported in accordance with this para graphs <i) A report of the occurrence of the incident and the facts obtainable at that time including a report on any medical treatment of affected employees shall be made within 24 hours to the OSHA Area Director, (u) A Written r^ort-shall be filed with the OSHA' Aeeai ^Director within 15 calendar days thereafter and shall in clude; (A) A specification of the amount of material released; <B) A description of the area involved and the extent of known, and potential employee exposure and area affected; 'i - <0) -A -report on any medical treat ment of affected employees and any medical surveillance program lmplemented; and (D) An analysis of.the circumstances of the incident,: and--measures taken or to be taken, with specific completion dates, to avoid further similar releases. (3) Upon completion of any monitoring and measuring which discloses that any employee has actually been exposed to detectable levels of vinyl chloride, each such employee shall be individually noti fied In writing. The notice shall: 0> Be delivered not later than 10 working days after completion of the monitoring and measuring; (ii) State the actual exposure in terms of concentration and time; and (iii) State the steps which have been taken, are being taken, and will be taken, with specific completion dates, to termi nate the exposure and prevent a recur rence. (Sees. 6(b), 6(e), na (). 8i stot. 1503, 1B93, 1580 (28 UJ3.C. 666, 667); secretary at Labor'* rder No-13-71 (3d PR 8764)) Signed at Washington. D.c. this 6th day or May, 1074. jOHN Stekpir Assistant Secretary of Labor .. Ira De-74-io74a Mied 5-6-74:8:45 am) ------ , GENC- 00 7031