Document zdpwK3D1RVvG2Dk5bxQ9J1pZa
TOXIC SUBSTANCES
S-131 31:8335
sistant Secretary or the Director, and,
(8) "OSHA Area Director" means the
(1) Vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chlonae
upon request of an employee or former Director for the Occupational Safety is manufactured, reacted, repackaged,
employee, to a physician designated by and Health Administration Area Office stored, handled or used: and
the employee or to a new employer.
having jurisdiction over the geographic
(ii) Vinyl chloride concentrations are
(iii) Any physician who conducts a area in which the employer's establish in excess of the permissible exposure
medical examination required by this ment is located.
limit.
paragraph shall furnish to the employer a statement of the employee's suitability for employment in the specific exposure.
[Sections 1910 1003-1910.1016 added at 39 FR 3755, January 29, 1974, effective February 11, 1974]
1910.1017 Vinyl chloride.
(a) Scope and application. (1) This section includes requirements for the control of employee exposure to vinyl chloride (chloroethene). Chemical Ab
stracts Service Registry No. 75014.
[Section 1910.93q(a)(l) amended at 39 FR 41848, December 3, 1974; 1910.93q was redesignated as 1910.1017 at 40 FR 23072, May 28, 1975]
(2) This section applies to the manu facture, reaction, packaging, repackag ing, storage, handling or use of vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride, but does not apply to the handling or use of fabri cated products made of polyvinyl chlo ride.
(3) This section applies to the trans portation of vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride except to the extent that the Department of Transportation may regulate the hazards covered by this sec
(9) "Polyvinyl chloride" means poly vinyl chloride homopolymer or copoly mer before such is converted to a fabri
cated product. (10) "Vinyl chloride" means vinyl
chloride monomer. (c) Permissible exposure limit. (1) No
employee may be exposed to vinyl chlo ride at concentrations greater than 1 ppm averaged over any 8-hour period, and
(2) No employee may be exposed to vinyl chloride at concentrations greater than 5 ppm averaged over any period not exceeding 15 minutes.
(3) No employee may be exposed to
vinyl chloride by direct contact with liquid vinyl chloride.
<d) Monitoring. (1) A program of Initial monitoring and measurement shall be undertaken in each establish
ment to determine if there is any em ployee exposed, without regal'd to the use of respirators, In excess of the action level.
(2) Where a determination conducted under paragraph (d)(1) of this section shows any employee exposures, without regard to the use of respirators, in ex cess of the action level, a program for de
(2) Access to regulated areas shall be limited to authorized persons.
[Section 1910.1017(e)(2) amended at 43 FR 49726, October 24, 1978, effective November 24, 1978]
(f) Methods of compliance. Employee exposures to vinyl chloride shall be con trolled to at or below the permissible ex posure limit provided in paragraph (c) of this section by engineering, work prac tice, and personal protective controls as follows:
(1) Feasible engineering and work practice controls shall Immediately be used to reduce exposures to at or below the permissible exposure limit.
(2) Wherever feasible engineering and work practice controls which can be in stituted Immediately are not sufficient to reduce exposures to at or below the per missible exposure limit, they shall none theless be used to reduce exposures to the lowest practicable level, and shall be supplemented bv respiratory protection
in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section. A program shall be established and implemented to reduce exposures to at or below the permissible exposure
tion.
termining exposures for each such em limit, or to the greatest extent feasible,
(b) Definitions. (1) "Action level" ployee shall be established. Such a pro solely by means of engineering and work
means a concentration of vinyl chloride gram:
practice controls, as soon as feasible.
of 0.5 ppm averaged over an 8-hour work day.
(2) "Assistant Secretary" means the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupa tional Safety and Health, U.S. Depart ment of Labor, or his designee.
(3) "Authorized person" means any person specifically authorized by the em
(i) Shall be repeated at least monthly where any employee is exposed, without regard to the use of respirators, in ex cess of the permissible exposure limit.
<li) Shall be repeated not less than
quarterly where any employee is exposed, without regard to the use of respirators. In excess of the action level.
(3) Written plans for such a program shall be developed end furnished upon request for examination and copying to
authorized representatives of the Assis tant Secretary and the Director. Such plans shall be updated at least every six months.
ployer whose duties require him to enter a regulated area or any person- entering such an area as a designated representa tive of employees for the purpose of ex ercising an opportunity to observe moni toring and measuring procedures.
(4) "Director" means the Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, or bis designee.
(5) "Emergency" means any occur rence such as. but not limited to, equip ment failure, or operation of a relief de vice which is likely to, or does, result in massive release of vinyl chloride.
(6) "Fabricated product" means a product made wholly or partly from
polyvinyl chloride, and which does not require further processing at tempera
tures, and for times, sufficient to cause mass melting of the polyvinyl chloride
(ili) May be discontinued for any em ployee only when at least two consecu tive monitoring determinations, made not less than 5 working days apart, show ex posures for that employee at or below the action level.
(3) Whenever there has been a pro duction, process or control change which may result in an increase in the release of vinyl chloride, or the employer has any other reason to suspect that any em ployee may be exposed in excess of the action level, a determination of employee exposure under paragraph (d)(1) of this section shall be performed.
(4) The method of monitoring and measurement shall have an accuracy (with a confidence level of 95 percent) of not less than plus or minus 50 percent
from 0.25 through 0.5 ppm, plus or minus 35 percent from over 0.5 ppm through
(g) Respiratory protection. Where respiratory protection is required under this section:
(1) The employer shall provide a respirator which meets the requirements of this paragraph and shall assure that the employee uses such respirator, except
that until April 1, 1976, wearing of respirators shall be at the discretion of each employee for exposures not in excess of 25 ppm, measured over any 15-minute period. Until April 1,1976, each employee who chooses not to wear an ap propriate respirator shall be informed at least Quarterly of the hazards of vinyl chloride and the purpose, proper use, and limitations of respiratory devices.
[Section 1910.93q(g)(l) amended at 40 FR 13211, March 25, 1975; Section 1910.93q was redesignated 1910.1017 at 40 FR 23072, May 28, 1975]
(2) Respirators shall be selected from
resulting in the release of vinyl chloride. 1.0 ppm, and plus or minus 25 percent among those jointly approved by the (7) "Hazardous operation" means any over 1,0 ppm. (Methods meeting these Mining Enforcement and Safety Admin
operation, procedure,, or activity where a accuracy requirements are available in istration, Department of the Interior,
cn release of either vinyl chloride liquid or the "NIOSH Manual of Analytical and the National Institute for Occupa
00 gas might be expected as a consequence Methods").
tional Safety and Health under the pro
of the operation or because of an accident in
(5) Employees or their designated rep visions of 30 CFR Part 11.
the operation, which would result in an employee exposure in excess of the permissi ble exposure limit.
[Section 1910.93q(b)(7) amended at 39 FR
resentatives shall be afforded reasonable opportunity to observe the monitor ing and measuring required by this paragraph.
(3) A respiratory protection program meeting the requirements of 1910.134 shall be established and maintained.
41848, December 3, 1974; Section 1910.93q
(e) Regulated area. (1) A regulated
(4) Selection of respirators for vinyl
was redesignated as 1910.1017 at 40 FR 23072, May 28, 1975]
area shall be established where:
chloride shall be as follows: [Sec. 1910.1017(g)(4))
CUSAROS
11-16-78
Published bv THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS, INC., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20037
219
31:8336
REFERENCE FILE
Atmospheric concentration of vinyl chloride
Unknown, or above 3,600 ppm... (11) Not over 3,600 ppm.
(iii) Not over 1,000 ppm.
(iv) Not ovet 100 ppm.
(v) Not over 25 ppm
(vi) Not over 10 ppm-
Required apparatus
Open-circuit, sellcontained breathing apparatus, pres
sure demand type, with full faoepleoe.
(A) Combination type C supplied air respirator, pres
sure demand type, with full or half facepiece,
and auxiliary self-contained air supply; or
(B) Combination Type C, supplied air respirator continuous (low type, full or half facepiece, and auxiliary selfcontained air supply.
Type C, supplied
air respirator,
continuous flow
type, with full
or half face-
piece, helmet or
hood. (A) Combination type C supplied air respirator de
mand type, with full facepiece, and auxiliary
self-contained air supply; or (B) Open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus
with full facepiece. In demand mode; or (C) Type C supplied sir respirator, demand type, with
full facepiece, (A) A powered air-purifying respirator with hood,
helmet, full or half facepiece, and a canister
which provides a service life of at least 4
hours for concenratlons of vinyl chloride up
to 25 ppm, or
., .
(B) Gas mask, front- or back-mounted canister which
provides a service life of at least 4 hours for
concentrations of vinyl chloride up to 25 ppm, (A) Combination type C supplled-alr respirator, de
mand type,- with half facepiece, and auxiliary
self-contained air supply; or (B) Type C supplled-alr respirator, demand type, with
half facepiece; or (C) Any chemical cartridge respirator with an organic
vapor cartridge which provides a service life
of at least 1 hour for concentrations of vinyl
chlorlds up to 10 ppm.
[Section 1910.93(1 (g)(4) amended at 39 FR 41848, December and redesignated as 1910.1017 (g)(4) at 40 FR 23072, May 28, 1975]
(5) (i> Entry Into unkown concentra tions or concentrations greater than 36,000 ppm (lower explosive limit) may he made only for purposes of life rescue:
and (ii) Entry into concentrations of less
than 36,000 ppm, but greater than 3,600 ppm may be made only for purposes of life rescue, firefighting, or securing equipment so as to prevent a greater hazard from release of vinyl chloride.
(6) Where air-purifying respirators are used:
(i) Air-purifying cannisters or car tridges shall be replaced prior to the expiration of their service life or the end of the shift in which they are first uSfed, whichever occurs first, and
(ii) A continuous monitoring and alarm system shall be provided where concentrations of vinyl chloride could reasonably exceed the allowable concen trations for the devices in use. Such sys tem shall be used to alert employees when vinyl chloride concentrations exceed the allowable concentrations for the devices
in use.
(7) Apparatus prescribed for higher concentrations may be used for any lower concentration.
(h) Hazardous operations. (1) Em ployees engaged in hazardous operations, including entry of vessels to clean poly}vinyl chloride residue from vessel walls, shall be provided and required to wear and use;
(i) Respiratory protection in accord ance with paragraphs <c> and (g) of this section; and
(ii) Protective garments to prevent skin contact with liquid vinyl chloride or with polyvinyl chloride residue from vessel walls. The protective garments shall be selected for the operation and its possible exposure conditions.
(2) Protective garments shall be pro vided clean and dry for each use.
(i) Emergency situations. A written operational plan for emergency situa tions shall be developed for each facility storing, handling, or otherwise using vinyl chloride as a liquid or compressed gas. Appropriate portions of the plan shall be implemented In the event of an emergency. The plan shall specifically provide that:
(1) Employees engaged in hazardous operations or correcting situations of ex isting hazardous releases shall be equipped as required in paragraph (h) of tills section;
(2) other employees not so equipped shall evacuate the area and not return until conditions are controlled by the methods required in paragraph (f) of this section and the emergency is abated.
(J) Training. Each employee engaged In vinyl chloride or polyvinyl chloride operations shall be provided training in a program relating to the hazards of vinyl chloride and precautions for its safe use.
(1) The program shall include; (i) The nature of the health hazard from chronic exposure to vinyl chloride including specifically the carcinogenic
hazard:
(ii) The specific nature of operations which could result in exDosure to vinyl
chloride in excess of the permissible limit and necessary protective steps;
(iii) The purpose for, proper use, and limitations of respiratory protective devices;
[Section 1910.93q(j)(l)(iii) amended at 39 FR 41848, December 3, 1974, and rede signated as 1910.1017 at 40 FR 23072, May 28, 1975]
(iv) The fire hazard and acute toxic
ity of vinyl chloride, and the necessary protective steDs:
(v) The purpose for and a description
of the monitoring program;
(vi) The purpose for, and a descrip tion of, the medical surveillance urogram;
(vii) Emergency procedures; (viii) Specific Information to aid the employee in recognition of conditions which may result In the release of vinyl chloride; and (ix) A review of this standard at the employee's first training and indoctrina tion program, and annually thereafter. (2) All materials relating to the pro gram shall be provided upon request to the Assistant Secretary and the Director. (k) Medical surveillance. A program of medical surveillance shall be insti tuted for each employee exposed, with out regard to the use of respirators, to vinyl chloride In excess of the action level. The program shall provide each such employee with an opportunity for examinations and tests In accordance with this paragraph. All medical ex aminations and procedures shall be per formed by or under the supervision of -a licensed physician, and shall oe provided without cost to the employee.
(l) At the time of Initial assignment, or upon institution of medical surveil lance;
(1) A general physical examination shall be performed, with specific atten tion to detecting enlargement pf liver, spleen or kidneys, or dysfunction in these organs, and for abnormalties in skin, connective tissues and the pulmonary system (See Appendix A).
(ii) A medical history shall be taken, including the following topics:
(A) Alcohol intake; (B) Past history of hepatitis; (C) Work history and past exposure to potential hepatotoxic agents, includ ing drugs and chemicals; CD) Past history of blood transfu sions; and (E) Past history of hospitalizations.
(iii) A serum specimen shall be ob tained and determinations made of:
(A) Total biiirufjin; (3) Alkaline phosphatase; (C) Serum glutamic oxalacetic trans aminase (SGOT):
(D) Serum glutamic pyruvic transam
inase (SGPT); and (E) Gamma glustamyl transpeptidase. (2) Examinations provided in accord
ance with this paragraph shall be per
formed at least;
(l> Every 6 months for each employee who has been employed in vinyl chlo ride or polyvinyl chloride manufacturing
for 10 years or longer; and (ii) Annually for all other employees, (3) Each employee exposed to _an
emergency shall be afforded appropriate medical surveillance.
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Occupational Safety & Health Reporter
(Sec, 19T0.1017(kH3)]
220
TOXIC SUBSTANCES
S-131
31:8337
(4) A statement of each employee's
Vinyl Chloride
(1) The address and location of each
suitability for continued exposure to Exiremely Flammarle Gas Under Pressure estaolishment which has one or more
vinyl chloride Including use of protec
Cancer-Suspect Agent
regulated areas; and
tive equipment and respirators, shall be or (ii) In accordance with 49 CFR Parts
<ii> The number of employees in each
obtained from the examining physician 170-189, with the additional legend:
regulated area during normal operations,
promptly after any examination. A copy of the physician's statement shall be pro vided each employee.
(5) If any employee's health would be
materially impaired by continued ex
Cancer-Suspect Agent
applied near the label or placard.
[Section 1910.93q (l)(5Hii) amended at 39 FR 41848, December 3, 1974 and redesignated as 1910.1017 at 40 FR 23072, May 28, 1975]
including maintenance. (31 Emergencies, and the facts ob
tainable at that time, shall be reported within 24 hours to the OSHA Area Di rector. Upon request of the Area Direc
tor, the employei shall submit additional
posure, such employee shall be with
drawn from possible contact with vinyl chloride.
(6) Laboratory analyses for all bio logical specimens included in medical examinations shall be performed in labo ratories licensed under 42 CFR, Part 74.
(7) If the examining physician deter mines that alternative medical examina tions to those required by paragraph (k)(l) of this section will provide at least equal assurance of detecting med ical conditions pertinent to the exposure to vinyl chloride, the employer may ac cept such alternative examinations as meeting the requirements of paragraph (kid) of this section, if the employer obtains a statement from the examining physician setting forth the alternative examinations and the rationale for sub stitution. This statement shall be avail able upon request for examination and copying to authorized representatives of the Assistant Secretary and the Director.
(1) Signs and labels. (1) Entrances to regulated areas shall be posted with leg ible signs bearing the legend:
Cancer-Suspect Agent Area Authorized Personnel Only
(6) No statement shall appear on or
near any required sign, label or instruc tion which contradicts or detracts from the effect of. any required warning, information or instruction.
(m) Records. (1) All records main tained in accordance with this section
shall include the name and social secu rity number of each employee where
relevant.
(2) Records of required monitoring and measuring, medical records, and au thorized personnel rosters, shall be made and shall be available upon request for examination and copying to authorized representatives of the Assistant Secre tary and the Director.
(i) Monitoring and measuring records shall:
(A) State the date of such monitor ing and measuring and the concentra tions determined and identify the instill ments and methods used;
(B) Include any additional informa tion necessary to determine individual employee exposures where such expo sures are determined by means other than individual monitoring of employees; and
(C) Be maintained for not less than
information in writing relevant to the nature ana extent oi employee exposures and measures taken to prevent future emergencies of similar nature.
(3) Within 10 working days following any monitoring and measuring which discloses that any employee has been exposed, without regard to the use of respirators in excess of the permissible exposure limit, each such employee shall be notified in writing of the results of
the exposure measurement and the steps
being taken to reduce the exposure to within the permissible exposure limit,
[Section 1910 93q (n)(3) amended at 39 FR 41848, December 3, 1974; Section 1910 93q was redesignated 1910 1017 at 40 FR 23072, May 28, 1975]
(o) Effective dates. (1) Until April 1, 1975, the provisions currently set forth in Sec tion 1910.93q of this Part shall apply. [Editor's note This paragraph refers to the emergency temporary standard published at 39 FR 12343]
(2) Effective April 1, 1975, the provisions set forth in Section 1910.93q of this Part shall apply.
[Section 1910.93q (0(1) amended at 39 FR 41848, December 3, 1974 and redesignated as 1910.1017 at 40 FR 23072, May 28, 1975]
(2) Areas containing hazardous oper ations or where an emergency currently exists shall be posted with legible signs bearing the legend:
30 years.
(ii) [Revoked]
(ill) Medical records shall be main tained for the duration of the employ ment of each employee plus 20 years, or 33 years, whichever is longer,
(3) In the event that the employer
[Section 1910.93q (o)(1) and (2) amended at 40 FR 13211, March 25, 1975; Section 1910.93q was redesignated 1910.1017 at 40 FR 23072, May 28, 1975]
Appendix A--Supplementary Medical Information
When required tests under paragraph
Cancer-Suspect Agent in This Area Protective Equipment Requires Authorized Personnel Onlt
[Section I910.93q (0(2) amended at 39 FR 41848, December 3, 1974 and redesignated as 1910.1017 at 40 FR 23072, May 28, 1975]
, <3) Containers of polyvinyl chloride resin waste from reactors or other waste contaminated with vinyi chloride ufiaii be legibly labeled:
Contaminated with Vinyl Chloride
Cancer-Suspect Agent
[Section I9l0.93q (0(3) amended at 39 FR
ceases to do business and there is no successor to receive and retain his rec ords for the prescribed period, these rec ords shall be transmitted by registered mad to the Director, and each employee individually notified m writing of this transfer,
(4) Employees or their designated representatives shall be provided access
to examine and copy records of required monitoring and measuring.
(5) Former employees shall be pro vided access to examine and copy re quired monitoring and measuring records
reflecting their own exposures. <fi) Upon wiitten request of any em
(k) (1) at this section show abnormalities, the tests should be repeated as soon as prac ticable, preferably within 3 to 4 weeks. If
tests remain abnormal, consideration should be given to withdrawal of the employee irern contact with vinyl chloride, while a more comprehensive examination Is made.
Additional tests which may be useful
A. For kidney dysfunction: urine examina tion for albumin, red blood cells, and ex foliative abnormal cells.
B. Pulmonary system: Forced vital capac ity, Forced expiratory volume at 1 seco:.,, and chest roentgenogram (poslcrlor-antert. 14 x 17 Inches).
C. Additional serum tests: Lactic acid dr hydrogenase, lactic acid dehydrogenase isoenzyme, protein determination, aud
41848, December 3, 1974 and redesignated as 1910 1017 at 40 FR 23072, May 28, 1975]
(4) Containers of polyvinyl chloride shall be legibly labeled;
ployee, a copy of the medical record of that employee shall be furnished to any physician designated by the employee,
[Section 1910.1017 (m)(2)(ii) revoked at 43
orotelii electrophoresis. D. For a more comprehensive examination
on repeated abnormal serum tests: Hepatitis
B antigen, and liver scanning. (Secs. 6 and 8. 84 Stat. 1596, 1599 (29 U.S.C.
FR 49726, October 24, 1978, effective 655 657): Secretary of Labor's Order Nc.
Polyvinyl Chloride (or Trade Name) Contains
Viny-l Chloride Vinyl Chloride is a Cancer-Suspect Agent
(5) Containers of vinyi chloride snail be legibly labeled eitiier:
November 24, 1978]
(n) Reports. (1) Not later than i month after the establishment of a reg ulated area, the following Information shall be reported to the OSHA Area Di rector, Any changes to such information shall be reported within 15 days.
12-71.36 FR 8754)
[Section 1910,93q added at 39 FR 12343, April 5, 1974, as emergency temporary stand ard issued as permanent standard at 39 FR 35896, October 4, 1974; Section 1910 93q was redesignated 1910 1017 at 40 FR 23072, May 28, 1975]
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[The next page is 31.8351]
[Sec. 1910.1017 (Appendix A)]
11-16-78
Published by THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS, INC., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20037
22 (