Occupational hazards, chemicals

Occupational exposure limits (OEL), 749 Occupational hazards, chemicals, 747-9 Octalene, singlet oxygen ene reaction, 861,... 

For chemical faciUties in the United States, hazard analysis is not an option if inventories of hazardous chemicals are maintained in amounts greater than the threshold quantities specified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 1910.119. Many faciUties are finding that hazard analysis has many benefits. The process or procedure often works better, the quaUty of the product is improved, the process experiences less down time, and the employees feel more comfortable in the work environment after a hazard analysis has been completed. 

Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals Tide 29, Subtitie B, Chapt. XVII, Part 1910, Subpart H, Paragraph 119, of the Code ofFederal Regulations (29 CER 1910.119), FederalRegisterhl >()) 6403, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Feb. 24, 1992). 

The primary limitation of a HAZOP study is the length of time required to perform it. Because the study is designed to provide a complete analysis, study sessions can be intensive and lii ing. HAZOP studies typically do not look at occupational hazards (e.g., electrical equipment, rotating equipment, hot surfaces) or chronic hazards (e.g., chronic chemical exposure, noise, heat stress). For experience with HAZOP see Swann (1995). 

PSM Rule - The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration s rule "Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals," 29 CFR 1910.119. 

Thus, there is a clear need to establish the relationship between the health effects of hazardous chemical agents in the environment and the level of occupational exposure to the body by means of an occupational exposure limit, in which a reference figure for the concentration of a chemical agent is set. In fact, occupational exposure limits (OELs) have been a feature of the industrialized world since the early 1950s. They were introduced, primarily in the United States, at a time when measures to prevent occupational diseases were considered more beneficial than compensating victims, and in this sense OELs have played an important part in the control of occupational illnesses. 

Even a quick examination of Exhibits 2-5 and 2-6 points out the considerable duplication that exists within Xmple, Inc. Not only are there separate management systems delivering their three programs (PSM, occupational safety and industrial hygiene, and environment) there are also several duplicate programs. For example, storage of hazardous chemicals and spill response are covered by all three systems. The lists are also incomplete undoubtedly Xmple, Inc. implements all requirements of Responsible Care , but it is listed only under occupational safety and industrial hygiene. 

H. Safety considerations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), US Department of Labor, standard entitled Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories (29 CFR 1910.1450) makes it necessary to address safety issues in the SOP. The standard requires laboratories that use hazardous chemicals to maintain employee exposures at or below the permissible exposure limits specified for these chemicals in 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Z. Hazards associated with any specific chemicals used in a method must be addressed so that the user has the information needed to follow the Chemical Hygiene Plan for their laboratory. The method developer should limit the use of hazardous chemicals where feasible. The use of toxic and/or carcinogenic reagents should be avoided or eliminated as much as possible. Additionally, the cost of disposal is increasing and could impact the practicality of a method. Material Safety Data Sheets for the analyte(s) and any unusual or hazardous reagents should be provided for the user. 

OSHA. 1991. Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals explosives and blasting agents. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Federal Register 57(36) 6356. February 24, 1991. 

OSHA. 1998a. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Appendix A. List of highly hazardous chemicals, toxics, and reactives (mandatory). 29 CFR 1910.119. 

HAZOP studies typically do not look at occupational hazards (e.g., electrical equipment, rotating equipment, hot surfaces) or chronic hazards (e.g., chronic chemical exposure, noise, heat stress). 

Minter, J. G. 1996. Prevention of chemical accidents still a challenge. Occupational Hazards, September. 

Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories Yes OSHA 1974... 

An estimated 21,156, 33,257, 11,162, and 1,261,818 workers were potentially exposed to o-, p-, m-, and the mixture of isomers, respectively, in the workplace, according to the National Occupational Hazard Survey (NOHS) conducted between 1972 and 1974 (NIOSH 1984). According to the National Occupational Exposure Survey (NOES) conducted by NIOSH in the workplace between 1980 and 1983, 3,214, 3,269, 5,573, and 121,573 workers were potentially exposed to o-, p-, m-, and the mixture of isomers, respectively (NIOSH 1989). Neither the NOHS nor NOES data bases contain information on the frequency, concentration, or duration of exposure of workers to any of the chemicals listed therein. These surveys provide estimates of the number of workers potentially exposed to the chemicals in the workplace. The most probable routes of occupational exposure are inhalation and dermal contact at places where cresols and/or cresol-containing compounds are produced or used. 

Of importance is the OSHA Laboratory Standard, 29 CER 1910.1450, which is similar to the UK COSHH regulations (see below), and deals with occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories. Information on various aspects of this Laboratory Standard is found at ... 

The toxic properties of chemicals can be found in a reference such as Hazardous Chemicals Desk Reference (Sax and Lewis 1987), which lists a number of chemicals alphabetically by name. For instance, n-butane is classified (by the Department of Transportation) as a flammable gas, is moderately toxic via inhalation, causes drowsiness, is an asphyxiant, poses very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers, and is highly explosive when exposed to flame. Information about safety and environment is also provided and updated by websites maintained by government agencies, such as the U.S. EPA, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and the National Safety Data Sheet. 

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