www.osha.gov

Reducing Worker Exposure to

Perchloroethylene 

(PERC) in Dry Cleaning 

OSHA 3253-05N 2005
Employers are responsible for providing a safe and

healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role

is to assure the safety and health of America’s

workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing

partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. 

This handbook provides a general overview of a

particular topic related to OSHA standards. It does

not alter or determine compliance responsibilities in

OSHA standards or the Occupational Safety and

Health Act of 1970. Because interpretations and enforcement policy may change over time, you should

consult current OSHA administrative interpretations

and decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health

Review Commission and the Courts for additional

guidance on OSHA compliance requirements.

This publication is in the public domain and may be

reproduced, fully or partially, without permission.

Source credit is requested but not required.

This information is available to sensory impaired

individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-

1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.
U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 3253-05N

2005

Reducing Worker Exposure to

Perchloroethylene 

(PERC) in Dry Cleaning 
2

Contents

Executive Summary . . . 3

Introduction . . . 4

Health Hazards . . . 4

Perc Exposure . . . 5

Current Regulations and Recommendations . . . 6

Machine Design and Maintenance . . . 7

Ventilation . . . 10

PPE, Work Practices and Training . . . 10

Perc Air Monitoring . . . 12

Assistance . . . 13

Case Studies . . . 14

Appendix A. Recommended Maintenance Schedule for

Dry Cleaning Machines . . . 16

Appendix B. International Chemical Safety Card for

Tetrachloroethylene . . . 18

OSHA Assistance . . . 21

OSHA Regional Offices . . . 26
Executive Summary

This document has been prepared by the Occupational Safety

and Health Administration (OSHA) to help dry cleaning establishments reduce employee exposures to perchloroethylene (also

known as perc, tetrachloroethylene, C2Cl4 or Cl2C=CCl2). The dry

cleaning industry has improved the control of perchloroethylene in

recent years, and modern dry cleaning equipment involves much

lower exposures than older style equipment. However, there is still

a need to reduce employee exposure to the chemical to reduce any

possible health effects that could result from long-term exposure to

the chemical.

Many dry cleaning employers have found that equipment

design, preventive maintenance, control of leaks in equipment,

proper ventilation, and good work practices can reduce perc exposure to workers, reduce costs by recovering perc for reuse, help

create a cleaner environment, and help comply with federal and

state environmental regulations.

This booklet is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no

new legal obligations. The document is advisory in nature, informational in content, and is intended to assist employers in providing a

safe and healthful workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health

Act requires employers to comply with hazard-specific safety and

health standards. In addition, pursuant to Section 5(a)(1), the

General Duty Clause of the Act, employers must provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to

cause death or serious physical harm. Employers can be cited for

violating the General Duty Clause if there is a recognized hazard

and they do not take reasonable steps to prevent or abate the

hazard. However, failure to implement these recommendations is

not, in itself, a violation of the General Duty Clause. Citations can

only be based on standards, regulations, and the General Duty

Clause.

3
Introduction

Perchloroethylene (“perc”) has long been recognized as an

effective dry cleaning solvent and today it is by far the most

commonly used solvent in dry cleaning shops. However, as a

volatile organic solvent, perc may pose serious health hazards if

exposure is not properly controlled. Dry cleaning workers who

routinely breathe excessive amounts of the solvent vapor or spill

perc on their skin are at risk of developing health problems. 

Special precautions are recommended to avoid health risks from

perc exposure. The purpose of this guidance is to provide practical

and effective ways for dry cleaning operators to reduce worker exposure to perc. The guidance emphasizes reducing perc exposure

through a combination of using modern equipment and preventive

maintenance, control of leaks in dry cleaning equipment, proper

ventilation, and good work practices.

Health Hazards

During dry cleaning, perc primarily enters the body from inhalation of the vapors, potentially resulting in the following health

hazards:

■ Dizziness, drowsiness, and loss of coordination;

■ Mild loss of memory, visual perception, and reaction time 

after several years of exposure; or

■ Redness and blistering of the skin after prolonged dermal

contact.

There is some evidence of an association between perc and

increased risk of certain cancers in dry cleaning workers exposed

for many years. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health (NIOSH) has designated perc as a “potential occupational

carcinogen.” The National Toxicology Program has designated it as

“reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has designated perc

as a “probable human carcinogen.” 

4
The possibility of these health hazards can be minimized by

reducing worker exposures to perc vapor and by avoiding skin

contact with perc.

Perc Exposure

Primary Sources of Perc Exposure

Dry cleaning employees may be exposed to perc while performing both routine tasks and machine maintenance. Activities

that result in elevated exposure include the following:

■ Loading dirty clothes into the machine (when perc-contaminated

air is displaced and forced out of the machine);

■ Removing clothes, especially thick items, before the drying cycle

is finished;

■ For transfer machines, transferring solvent-laden clothes into the

dryer;

■ Cleaning lint and button traps;

■ Raking out the still (distillation unit residue);

■ Changing the solvent filter;

■ Maintenance of water separator; and

■ Handling and storage of hazardous waste.

Machine Fugitive Emissions 

Uncontrolled emissions, so-called “fugitive emissions,” from dry

cleaning machines can also expose workers to high levels of perc.

These include:

■ Perc emissions not captured by vapor recovery and thus

released when the loading door is opened or through the vent;

and

■ Perc emissions from leaks in machines, hoses, valves, and ducts.

Secondary Sources of Perc Exposure

Other possible sources of perc exposure not directly associated

with the dry cleaning equipment include:

■ Pressing freshly dry-cleaned clothes;

5
■ Using a perc-based spotting agent; and

■ Using a perc-based waterproofing agent.1

Current Regulations and Recommendations

OSHA has set mandatory permissible exposure limits (PELs) for

perc, presented in Table 1. This table also lists perc exposure limits

recommended by other safety and health organizations. 

1 Use of perc-based spotting or waterproofing agents is not current practice in the

dry cleaning industry. However, these operations are addressed in this document

for those few dry cleaning establishments that may continue to use these

products.

6

Table 1. Worker Exposure Limits for 

Perchloroethylene (Tetrachloroethylene)

Organization 8-hour time-weighted Other limits

average (TWA)

OSHA Permissible Exposure Ceiling: 200 ppm

(mandatory) Limit (PEL): 100 parts (for 5 mins. in any

per million (ppm) 3-hr. period), with

a maximum peak

of 300 ppm 

ACGIH Threshold Limit Value Short-term exposure

(voluntary) (TLV): 25 ppm limit (STEL): 100 ppm 

(as a 15-min. TWA)

NIOSH Potential Occupational 

Carcinogen; Minimize 

workplace exposure 

concentrations.
Other OSHA standards that may apply when workers are

exposed to perc include: Hazard Communication (29 CFR

1910.1200); General requirements for personal protective equipment (29 CFR 1910.132); and Respiratory Protection (29 CFR

1910.134).

In addition to these worker exposure limits, dry cleaning

facilities must comply with EPA regulations controlling the release

of perc into the environment – air, land, and water. EPA has

developed regulations that affect many aspects of dry cleaning

operations, including machine operation and maintenance, building

design and ventilation, work practices, as well as perc storage and

disposal. There are also EPA requirements on air monitoring for

perc release, recordkeeping, and perc use reporting. (For further

information on EPA regulations, see Plain English Guide for Perc

Cleaners, EPA, 2003.)

Machine Design and Maintenance

Dry cleaning technology has evolved substantially over the

decades. The newer machine designs (dry-to-dry, closed looped)

greatly reduce the amount of perc vapor released into the air inside

the shop as well as outdoors, resulting in cost savings since more

perc is recovered for reuse, as well as safer working conditions and

a cleaner environment. 

The oldest type of dry cleaning machines – transfer machines –

can expose workers to high amounts of perc, particularly during

transfer of solvent-laden clothing from washer to dryer. Newer

equipment (dry-to-dry machines) reduces worker exposure by

eliminating this transfer step (clothes enter and exit the machine

dry). 

The first dry-to-dry equipment, dry-to-dry vented, exhausts

residual solvent vapors either directly outside or first through a

perc vapor recovery system. The present designs, dry-to-dry closed

loop machines, recirculate perc rather than release it outdoors. The

7
latest technology incorporates a secondary vapor recovery system

on the dry-to-dry closed loop machines that most effectively

minimizes perc usage, environmental releases, and worker

exposure to perc. Figure 1, below, illustrates the perc exposure

levels of machine operators associated with the various dry

cleaning machines.

Source: NIOSH.

Replacing equipment that wears out with modern equipment

can reduce exposures. Also, routine machine maintenance combined with detection and timely repair of identified leaks can be

extremely effective in controlling airborne levels of perc vapor. (See

the Case Studies starting on page 14.) The EPA estimates that as

much as 25 percent of solvent emissions can be attributed to leaks.

In addition to creating unsafe airborne levels of perc, leaks are

waste-ful and costly. Routine machine maintenance needs to be performed to ensure optimal operation of all components. Appropriate

personal protective equipment (PPE) needs to be worn during

maintenance activities to ensure protection from perc hazards. (See

page 10 for more information on PPE.) 

Recommended machine maintenance activities include the

following: 

■ Clean lint and button traps regularly to prevent clogging of

condensers and fans.

8

Figure 1. Perc Full-Shift Operator Exposure

by Machine Type 

Transfer Vented Closed Closed

Looped Looped 

w/ 2nd

Controls

25

20

15

10

5

0

Perc Concentration

(ppm)
■ Rake out still daily. (Consider installing a pump that allows

residue to be pumped directly to a safety can.)

■ Change all filters as necessary.

■ Desorb carbon adsorber before saturation point.

■ Adjust refrigerated condensers to ensure proper temperature of

drying air. 

■ Maintain and repair exhaust fans.

A recommended schedule of maintenance activities is provided

in Appendix A at pages 16 -17.

NEVER PERFORM MAINTENANCE WHILE 

DRY CLEANING EQUIPMENT IS OPERATING.

To control perc leaks from dry cleaning equipment:

■ Perform daily checks for leaks in door gaskets, valves,

hoses, pumps, tubing, and piping connections. Look for

liquid pools and droplets on or around equipment.

Unusual solvent odor may indicate a vapor leak (do not

rely only on the sense of smell for detecting leaks).

■ Replace gaskets before they become hard, cracked, or

worn.

■ Use a direct-reading air-monitoring device (see page 13)

to detect vapor leaks in piping, exhaust ductwork, and

associated components. 

■ Use perc-resistant seals and fittings recommended by the

manufacturer of the machine. 

■ Repair leaks immediately.

9
Ventilation

Adequate ventilation is essential for controlling perc levels

within the dry cleaning shop. General ventilation, provided by

equipment such as overhead fans, is useful for reducing heat and

humidity, and diluting perc levels. Such ventilation can be designed

to move the perc vapors away from workers and customers while

continuously supplying clean, fresh air to the dry cleaning area. 

Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) captures perc vapor at the source

of the release, removing the vapor before it enters the air inside the

shop. Well-designed LEV may be provided where perc exposure is

highest, for example, at the loading door. Newer dry cleaning

equipment has built-in LEV designed to prevent escape of vapors

during machine loading and unloading. For machines without builtin LEV, an external ventilation hood outside the machine door can

be installed to control vapors when the door is open. (A study describing this method of control is summarized in Case Study #5 at

page 16.)

Detailed information regarding desirable configurations for

general ventilation and LEV as well as recommendations on exhaust fan placement and capacity can be found in pamphlets by the

International Fabricare Institute (IFI) (1989)2 and NIOSH (1998)3

. 

PPE, Work Practices and Training

Personal protective equipment (PPE) – including aprons, gloves,

goggles, and respirators approved for use with organic chemicals –

is used to help workers avoid perc exposure. Workers must wear

respirators equipped with filters or cartridges specifically designed

for organic vapors when elevated perc exposures are anticipated (29

CFR 1919.134). Tasks where elevated exposure may occur include

10

2 IFI. 1989. Reducing Vapor Exposure: OSHA compliance. International Fabricare

Institute. Vol. 13, No. 5.

3 NIOSH. 1998. Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial

Drycleaning. NIOSH Hazard Controls. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-154.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hc16.html
machine maintenance, filter changes, waterproofing operations, and

loading/unloading machines (depending on the equipment in use).

Workers using transfer machines may also need to wear chemicalresistant aprons. Spotters can wear goggles, chemical-resistant

aprons, and gloves. Spill cleanup workers always need to wear

respirators and gloves. 

Work Practices – Good work practices can greatly minimize

worker exposure to perc vapors. For example, peak exposure

levels can be reduced by several hundred parts per million simply

by proper positioning of the worker’s head and body during transfer operations. Other important work practices to reduce perc

exposures are listed below.

Work Practice Tips for Dry Cleaning Operators

■ Do not load the machine past its capacity. 

■ Do not open the machine door when the cycle is running.

■ Keep the machine door CLOSED as much as possible. 

■ Do not “shortcut” the drying cycle by removing garments

from the machine before the cycle is finished.

■ Keep your head and face turned away from the machine

door and clothes when removing solvent-laden clothes

from the washer.

■ Do not transfer perc to machines by hand or with open

buckets. Use a closed piping system that connects directly

to the machine drum.

■ WAIT until the machine and solvent are cold before

performing maintenance.

■ Use spotting agents sparingly.

■ Use perc-free spotting agents.

■ Clean up perc spills immediately. (The shop should have

in place a plan for safely responding to perc spills.)

■ Store containers of perc and perc wastes in tightly sealed

containers.

■ Position your hand away from the door when opening a

transfer machine.

11
Training – Dry cleaning employees need training on how to

protect themselves from the hazards of perc (OSHA Hazard

Communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200). Employees should be

trained in proper work practices for all of their expected tasks –

operating and maintaining machines, spotting, waterproofing,

housekeeping, and perc transfer and storage. 

Workers must be trained on the health hazards and symptoms

associated with perc exposure. Workers should become familiar

with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and container labels for

perc (OSHA Hazard Communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200).

The International Chemical Safety Card for perc can be found in

Appendix B on pages 18-20 of this publication to help with this

training.

In addition, workers should be familiar with the location and

proper use of eyewash stations as well as procedures for responding to first aid emergencies, such as eye splashes and skin

contamination. OSHA requires employers to train their employees

about hazards and methods to prevent exposure to chemicals used

in the workplace (OSHA Hazard Communication standard, 29 CFR

1910.1200). Workers must also be trained on the proper use of

respirators (Respiratory Protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.134). 

Perc Air Monitoring

A variety of devices and instruments are available to measure

perc levels in the air. Reasons for performing air monitoring

include:

■ To determine the perc exposure levels of individual employees;

■ To identify sources of leaks in equipment; and

■ To measure perc levels before and after modifications to

equipment or procedures.

The type of air monitoring method used depends on the

purpose of the sampling, the technical abilities of the person who

conducts the testing, and the cost of the equipment. To determine

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the perc exposures of individual workers, a sample can be obtained

by clipping a monitoring device to the worker’s collar either with a

battery-powered pump or a simple monitoring badge.

The samples are then sent to a qualified laboratory to analyze

the perc concentration. The results can be compared with the

OSHA PEL and other recommended exposure limits for perc (listed

in Table 1, on page 6).

For detecting equipment leaks and other emissions, portable,

direct-reading devices provide either a visual/audible indication of a

leak or an instantaneous measurement of the perc vapor concentration at the source of the emission. These instruments vary in terms

of cost, accuracy, and ease of use. 

Two relatively inexpensive, easy to use leak-detection devices

are:

■ Small, hand-held refrigerant leak detectors that indicate a perc

leak by a visual and audible signal; and

■ Colorimetric detector tubes (used with small, hand-operated

pumps) that change color depending on the perc vapor concentration.

More sophisticated types of direct reading devices include infrared analyzers and photoionization detectors that provide accurate

measurements of perc concentration, but are more expensive and

require technical expertise to operate. 

Assistance

OSHA has a free consultation service for small and mediumsized businesses with hazardous operations. The service is confidential and offers the expertise of qualified occupational safety and

health professionals to employers who request advice and

assistance. OSHA consultation is available in all 50 States, the

District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana

Islands and the Virgin Islands. Information on OSHA consultation

services can be found at:

www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/consult.html

13
14

For assistance with perc monitoring, consult your perc

supplier's product stewardship program or a professional dry

cleaning association, such as the International Fabricare Institute. 

If you need the technical expertise of an industrial hygienist, the

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) offers a listing of

qualified consultants at:

http://www.aiha.org/ConsultantsConsumers/html/consultants

client.asp

Case Studies

Dry cleaning shop owners have numerous options available for

reducing the perc exposures of their employees. The case studies

below describe the effectiveness of measures such as installing

relatively low-cost machine retrofits, installing LEV, and performing

routine machine maintenance and leak detection.

Case Study #1: Emission Control Retrofit – Carbon Adsorber

Installing a new carbon adsorber on a dry cleaning machine

reduced the perc exposures of operators by 92 percent, according

to a NIOSH study. The 60-pound, closed-loop carbon adsorber was

installed to remove residual perc not collected by the existing refrigerated condenser on the closed-loop, dry-to-dry machine. The

retrofit cost less than $5,000. 

Before the retrofit, the average perc exposure of operators

during the one-minute machine loading and unloading process

was 353 ppm. After the carbon adsorber was installed, the average

exposure was 29 ppm, a reduction of approximately 92 percent. 

Case Study #2: Emission Control Retrofit – Refrigerated Condenser

A NIOSH study found that perc exposures of dry cleaning

machine operators were reduced by 60 percent after a refrigerated condenser was installed on a dry cleaning machine.
A 5-ton cooling capacity refrigerated condenser was installed on

a vented, dry-to-dry machine in place of its original water-cooled

condenser and single-pass carbon adsorber. The retrofit cost less

than $5,000. Before the installation of the refrigerated condenser,

the average perc exposure of machine operators during the oneminute machine loading and unloading phase was 1,139 ppm. After

the retrofit, the average exposure was 456 ppm, a reduction of

about 60 percent. NIOSH cautioned that only dry cleaning machines

in good repair with few leaks should be considered for retrofitting.

Although this technology significantly reduced perc exposure in this

case, it does not eliminate it and additional controls would be

needed to achieve further reductions.

Case Study #3: Gasket Leak – Detection and Repair

Repairing a leaking gasket on a dry cleaning machine resulted 

in a full-shift perc exposure reduction of 22 ppm, according to a

NIOSH study of retrofit emission controls (described further in Case

Study #2). The gasket at the rear of the machine being retrofitted

with a new refrigerated condenser sprung a leak during the installation. Before the retrofit, TWA perc concentrations averaged 47 ppm.

Measurements taken after the leak was fixed resulted in an average

perc exposure of 25 ppm.

Case Study #4: Distillation Unit Leak – Detection and Repair

During the LEV evaluation (described in Case Study #5), NIOSH

noted that the full-shift perc exposures of machine operators were

up to four times higher on the day when the distillation unit was

operating (about 20 ppm vs. 5 ppm when the unit was turned off).

These elevated readings led to the identification and repair of a leak

in the distillation system. If perc monitoring had not been conducted, the leak might not have been detected. This study underscores the importance of routine perc air monitoring to identify and

repair equipment leaks.

15
Case Study #5: Local Exhaust Ventilation

A NIOSH study showed that installation of a simple, inexpensive

LEV system was effective in reducing average full-shift TWA perc

exposures of machine operators by 37 percent.

Before the LEV installation, the average full-shift perc exposure

was 4.7 ppm. The 12-year-old dry cleaning machine was a dry-todry, closed-loop design with a 50-pound capacity. The LEV system,

including fabrication, installation, and electric wiring, was installed

for $2,560. The LEV was positioned directly above the dry cleaning

machine door and exhausted air from in front of the door only

when the door was opened. The average perc exposure was reduced by about 37 percent, to 3.0 ppm, after the LEV installation.

Appendix A

Recommended Maintenance Schedule for

Dry Cleaning Machines

Daily Maintenance Tasks

■ Clean button trap strainer and lint bag.

■ Dispose of contaminated water from the water separator.

■ Desorb the carbon adsorber.

■ Rake out the still of the distillation unit (or weekly as needed).

Weekly Maintenance Tasks*

■ Check door seatings and gaskets of machine cylinder for liquid

and vapor leaks.

■ Check the button trap for lid leaks.

■ Launder the lint bag.

■ Check seals and gaskets of the refrigerated condenser’s diverter

valve, distillation unit, filters, filter housings, and muck cooker

for liquid and vapor leaks.

16
■ Rake out the still of the distillation unit (or daily as needed).

■ Clean the separator tank of the water separator and perform leak

checks.

■ Measure the exhaust temperature of the refrigerated condenser.

■ Measure perc in the exhaust system.

■ Perform leak checks on hose and pipe connections, fittings,

couplings, and valves.

Monthly Maintenance Tasks

■ Check the exhaust damper (vented machines) for liquid and

vapor leaks.

■ Check for lint buildup on the heating and condensing coils and

refrigerated condenser coils.

■ Check for leaks in the ductwork of the lint trap and carbon

adsorber.

■ Check for lint buildup on the temperature probe of the lint trap.

■ Clean the vent of the water separator.

Semi-Annual Maintenance Tasks

■ Clean the muck cooker’s steam and condensation coils.

Annual Maintenance Tasks

■ Clean the heating/condensing and refrigerated condenser coils.

Other

■ Clean and change filters according to the manufacturer’s

schedule.

*Note: The EPA requires weekly leak detection and repair for large dry cleaners and

bimonthly leak detection and repair for small dry cleaners. The type of machine (dryto-dry or transfer) and the amount of perc purchased each year determines whether

a dry cleaner is large or small. Refer to the Plain English Guide for Perc Cleaners for

details (http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/dfe/pubs/garment/perc/).

17
Appendix B

International Chemical Safety Card 

for Tetrachloroethylene

The following International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC) for

tetrachloroethylene was published in 2000. The ICSCs project is an

undertaking of the International Programme on Chemical Safety

(IPCS). The project is being developed in cooperation between the

IPCS and the Commission of the European Communities. The IPCS

is a joint activity of three cooperating international organizations:

the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the

International Labour Office (ILO) and the World Health Organization

(WHO). The main objective of the IPCS is to carry out and disseminate evaluations of the hazards posed by chemicals to human

health and the environment.

ICSC cards summarize essential health and safety information

on chemicals for their use at the shop floor level by workers and

employers. Cards are available for over 1,300 chemicals, and they

are provided in several languages, including English, Korean,

Spanish, Russian, French, German, Japanese and Chinese.

To access the most recent ICSC card for perc, to locate the perc

card in another language, or to find the card for another chemical,

access the NIOSH Internet site at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/

ipcsneng/neng0076.html. 

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19

SPILLAGE DISPOSAL
20
OSHA Assistance

OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety of programs,

including technical assistance about effective safety and health

programs, state plans, workplace consultations, voluntary protection programs, strategic partnerships, training and education,

and more. An overall commitment to workplace safety and health

can add value to your business, to your workplace and to your life.

Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines

Effective management of worker safety and health protection is

a decisive factor in reducing the extent and severity of work-related

injuries and illnesses and their related costs. In fact, an effective

safety and health program forms the basis of good worker protection and can save time and money (about $4 for every dollar

spent) and increase productivity and reduce worker injuries,

illnesses and related workers’ compensation costs.

To assist employers and employees in developing effective

safety and health programs, OSHA published recommended Safety

and Health Program Management Guidelines (54 Federal Register

(16): 3904-3916, January 26, 1989). These voluntary guidelines

apply to all places of employment covered by OSHA.

The guidelines identify four general elements critical to the

development of a successful safety and health management

program:

■ Management leadership and employee involvement.

■ Work analysis.

■ Hazard prevention and control.

■ Safety and health training.

The guidelines recommend specific actions, under each of 

these general elements, to achieve an effective safety and health

program. The Federal Register notice is available online at

www.osha.gov 

State Programs

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) encourages states to develop and operate their own job safety and

21
health plans. OSHA approves and monitors these plans. Twentyfour states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands currently operate

approved state plans: 23 cover both private and public (state and

local government) employment; 3 states, Connecticut, New Jersey

and New York, cover the public sector only. States and territories

with their own OSHA-approved occupational safety and health

plans must adopt standards identical to, or at least as effective as,

the Federal standards. 

Consultation Services

Consultation assistance is available on request to employers

who want help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful

workplace. Largely funded by OSHA, the service is provided at no

cost to the employer. Primarily developed for smaller employers

with more hazardous operations, the consultation service is delivered by state governments employing professional safety and

health consultants. Comprehensive assistance includes an appraisal

of all mechanical systems, work practices and occupational safety

and health hazards of the workplace and all aspects of the employer’s present job safety and health program. In addition, the

service offers assistance to employers in developing and implementing an effective safety and health program. No penalties are

proposed or citations issued for hazards identified by the consultant. OSHA provides consultation assistance to the employer

with the assurance that his or her name and firm and any information about the workplace will not be routinely reported to OSHA

enforcement staff.

Under the consultation program, certain exemplary employers

may request participation in OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement

Recognition Program (SHARP). Eligibility for participation in SHARP

includes receiving a comprehensive consultation visit, demonstrating exemplary achievements in workplace safety and health by

abating all identified hazards and developing an excellent safety

and health program.

Employers accepted into SHARP may receive an exemption

from programmed inspections (not complaint or accident investigation inspections) for a period of one year. For more information

concerning consultation assistance, see the OSHA website at

www.osha.gov

22
Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)

Voluntary Protection Programs and on-site consultation services,

when coupled with an effective enforcement program, expand

worker protection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act. The 

three levels of VPP are Star, Merit, and Demonstration designed to

recognize outstanding achievements by companies that have successfully incorporated comprehensive safety and health programs

into their total management system. The VPPs motivate others to

achieve excellent safety and health results in the same outstanding

way as they establish a cooperative relationship between employers,

employees and OSHA.

For additional information on VPP and how to apply, contact the

OSHA regional offices listed at the end of this publication.

Strategic Partnership Program

OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program, the newest member of

OSHA’s cooperative programs, helps encourage, assist and

recognize the efforts of partners to eliminate serious workplace

hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health.

Whereas OSHA’s Consultation Program and VPP entail one-on-one

relationships between OSHA and individual worksites, most

strategic partnerships seek to have a broader impact by building

cooperative relationships with groups of employers and employees. These partnerships are voluntary, cooperative relationships between OSHA, employers, employee representatives and

others (e.g., trade unions, trade and professional associations, 

universities and other government agencies). 

For more information on this and other cooperative programs,

contact your nearest OSHA office, or visit OSHA’s website at

www.osha.gov

Alliance Programs

The Alliances Program enables organizations committed to

workplace safety and health to collaborate with OSHA to prevent

injuries and illnesses in the workplace. OSHA and the Alliance 

participants work together to reach out to, educate and lead the

nation’s employers and their employees in improving and advancing workplace safety and health. 

23
Groups that can form an Alliance with OSHA include employers,

labor unions, trade or professional groups and educational institutions. In some cases, organizations may be building on existing

relationships with OSHA that were developed through other cooperative programs. 

There are few formal program requirements for Alliances and

the agreements do not include an enforcement component. However, OSHA and the participating organizations must define, implement and meet a set of short- and long-term goals that fall into

three categories: training and education; outreach and communication; and promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and

health. 

OSHA Training and Education

OSHA area offices offer a variety of information services, such as

compliance assistance, technical advice, publications, audiovisual

aids and speakers for special engagements. OSHA’s Training

Institute in Arlington Heights, IL, provides basic and advanced

courses in safety and health for Federal and state compliance

officers, state consultants, Federal agency personnel, and private

sector employers, employees and their representatives.

The OSHA Training Institute also has established OSHA Training

Institute Education Centers to address the increased demand for its

courses from the private sector and from other Federal agencies.

These centers are nonprofit colleges, universities and other organizations that have been selected after a competition for participation

in the program.

OSHA also provides funds to nonprofit organizations, through

grants, to conduct workplace training and education in subjects

where OSHA believes there is a lack of workplace training. Grants

are awarded annually. Grant recipients are expected to contribute

20 percent of the total grant cost.

For more information on grants, training and education, contact

the OSHA Training Institute, Office of Training and Education, 2020

South Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, (847)

297-4810 or see “Outreach” on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.

For further information on any OSHA program, contact your nearest

OSHA area or regional office listed at the end of this publication.

24
Information Available Electronically

OSHA has a variety of materials and tools available on its

website at www.osha.gov. These include e-Tools such as Expert

Advisors, Electronic Compliance Assistance Tools (e-cats), Technical

Links; regulations, directives and publications; videos and other

information for employers and employees. OSHA’s software programs and compliance assistance tools walk you through challenging safety and health issues and common problems to find the best

solutions for your workplace.

A wide variety of OSHA materials, including standards, interpretations, directives, and more, can be purchased on CD-ROM from

the U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents,

phone toll-free (866) 512-1800.

OSHA Publications

OSHA has an extensive publications program. For a listing of

free or sales items, visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov or

contact the OSHA Publications Office, U.S. Department of Labor,

200 Constitution Avenue, NW, N-3101, Washington, DC 20210.

Telephone (202) 693-1888 or fax to (202) 693-2498. 

Contacting OSHA

To report an emergency, file a complaint or seek OSHA advice,

assistance or products, call (800) 321-OSHA or contact your nearest

OSHA regional or area office listed at the end of this publication.

The teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889-5627.

You can also file a complaint online and obtain more information on OSHA Federal and state programs by visiting OSHA’s

website at www.osha.gov

25
OSHA Regional Offices

* These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved job

safety and health programs (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York plans

cover public employees only). States with approved programs must have a

standard that is identical to, or at least as effective as, the Federal standard.

Note: To get contact information for OSHA Area Offices, OSHAapproved State Plans and OSHA Consultation Projects, please visit us

online at www.osha.gov or call us at 1-800-321-OSHA.

Region I

(CT,* ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*) 

JFK Federal Building, Room E340

Boston, MA 02203

(617) 565-9860

Region II

(NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*)

201 Varick Street, Room 670

New York, NY 10014

(212) 337-2378

Region III

(DE, DC, MD,* PA, VA,* WV)

The Curtis Center

170 S. Independence Mall West

Suite 740 West

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309

(215) 861-4900

Region IV 

(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,* SC,* TN*)

61 Forsyth Street, SW

Atlanta, GA 30303

(404) 562-2300

Region V

(IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)

230 South Dearborn Street 

Room 3244

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-2220

Region VI

(AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX)

525 Griffin Street, Room 602

Dallas, TX 75202

(214) 767-4731 or 4736 x224

Region VII

(IA,* KS, MO, NE)

City Center Square

1100 Main Street, Suite 800

Kansas City, MO 64105

(816) 426-5861

Region VIII

(CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*)

1999 Broadway, Suite 1690

PO Box 46550

Denver, CO 80202-5716

(720) 264-6550

Region IX 

(American Samoa, AZ,* CA,* HI,* NV,*

Northern Mariana Islands)

71 Stevenson Street, Room 420

San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 975-4310

Region X

(AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)

1111 Third Avenue, Suite 715

Seattle, WA 98101-3212

(206) 553-5930