www.osha.gov

Methylene Chloride

OSHA 3144-06R 2003
This informational booklet 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

Elaine L. Chao, Secretary

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

John L. Henshaw, Assistant Secretary

OSHA 3144-06R

2003

Methylene Chloride
Introduction...3

OSHA’s Methylene Chloride Standard...3

Exposure Monitoring...5

Medical Surveillance...8

Control Measures...11

Respiratory Protection...13

Hygiene Facilities and Protective 

Clothing and Equipment...15

Recordkeeping Requirements...16

Information and Training...17

OSHA Assistance ...18

OSHA Regional Offices...24

Contents
Methylene chloride and its uses

Methylene chloride, also called dichloromethane, is a volatile,

colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor. Methylene chloride is

used in various industrial processes in many different industries:

paint stripping, pharmaceutical manufacturing, paint remover 

manufacturing, metal cleaning and degreasing, adhesives 

manufacturing and use, polyurethane foam production, film base

manufacturing, polycarbonate resin production, and solvent 

distribution and formulation.

Employee exposure and health consequences 

The predominant means of exposure to methylene chloride is

inhalation and skin exposure. 

OSHA considers methylene chloride to be a potential occupational carcinogen. Short-term exposures to high concentrations

may cause mental confusion, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting,

and headache. Continued exposure may also cause eye and 

respiratory tract irritation. Exposure to methylene chloride may

make symptoms of angina more severe. Skin exposure to liquid

methylene chloride may cause irritation or chemical burns. 

OSHA’s Methylene Chloride Standard

Industries covered

The OSHA methylene chloride standard (Title 29 Code of Federal

Regulations, Parts 1910.1052, 1915.1052, and 1926.1152) covers all

occupational exposures to methylene chloride in all workplaces in

general industry, shipyard employment, and construction.

Exposure limits 

The standard sets a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 25 parts

methylene chloride per million parts of air (ppm) as an eight-hour

time-weighted average (TWA). This refers to the average exposure

during an eight-hour period. Employers must use engineering and

work practice controls to limit employee exposures. Respiratory

protection must be used in addition if these controls are insufficient

to reduce exposures to below the limits.

3

Introduction 
The action level for airborne methylene chloride is set at a 

concentration of 12.5 ppm, calculated as an eight-hour TWA.

Reaching or exceeding the action level signals that employers must

begin compliance activities such as exposure monitoring and

medical surveillance. There is also a short-term exposure limit

(STEL) of 125 ppm, as measured over a 15-minute period.

Requirements for regulated areas

The standard requires that the employer establish a regulated

area where exposure to airborne concentrations of methylene

chloride exceeds or can be expected to exceed either the PEL or the

STEL. Employers must mark regulated areas to alert employees to

the hazard and minimize the number of authorized employees

exposed to methylene chloride. 

Employers at multi-employer worksites must notify other

employers at the workplace of the locations of all regulated areas

and access restrictions. The employer must supply appropriate 

respiratory protection for each person entering a regulated area. In

addition, the employer must ensure that employees wearing respirators do not take medication, chew gum or tobacco, drink, smoke,

or apply cosmetics in regulated areas. Nor can employees store any

products associated with these activities in a regulated area where

the items can become contaminated.

Hazard communication requirements

OSHA’s methylene chloride standard requires employers to

inform employees that they are working with methylene chloride

and to ensure that they understand the hazards associated with

exposure to the chemical. Specifically, the rule requires the

employer to use labels and material safety data sheets (MSDSs) to

let employees know about the health hazards of working with

methylene chloride. These include cancer, cardiac effects (including

the elevation of carboxyhemoglobin), central nervous system

effects, and skin and eye irritation.

4


These requirements are consistent with those in OSHA’s hazard

communication standard—29 CFR 1910.1200, 29 CFR 1915.1200,

and 29 CFR 1926.59. 

Exposure Monitoring

Benefits 

Through air sampling and monitoring, employers can better

determine methylene chloride exposure, identify the source, and

select the proper control methods—resulting in better protection for

employees. Exposure monitoring also is key to helping employers

determine which other requirements of the standard need to be met. 

Measuring employee exposures 

To measure an employee’s exposure to methylene chloride, the

employer must use breathing zone air samples representative of

the employee’s eight-hour TWA as well as a short-term, 15-minute

exposure. To determine eight-hour TWA exposures by representative sampling, employers must take one or more personal

breathing zone air samples covering the full-shift exposure for each

shift for at least one employee in each job classification in each

work area. Employees sampled must be those who are expected to

have the highest exposure. 

To determine how employee exposures relate to the STEL

through representative sampling, employers must take one or more

samples covering the highest likely 15-minute exposures associated

with those operations for each shift for at least one employee in

each job classification in each work area. Employees sampled must

be those who are expected to have the highest exposure. When

the employer can document comparable exposure levels for similar

operations in different work shifts, the employer needs to

determine only representative employee exposures for the one shift

when the highest exposure is expected.

Initial exposure monitoring

Each employer whose employees are exposed to methylene

chloride must perform initial exposure monitoring to accurately

5


determine each affected employee’s exposure. However, initial

monitoring can be waived when

■ Objective data—representing the highest methylene chloride 

exposure likely to occur during processing, using, or handling—

demonstrate that methylene chloride cannot be released in 

airborne concentrations above the action level or the STEL, or

■ Employees are exposed to methylene chloride for fewer than 30 

days per year (for example, on a construction site) and the 

employer uses direct-reading instruments such as a detector 

tube that gives immediate results, providing enough information to determine what control measures are necessary to 

reduce exposure to acceptable levels.

Requirements for periodic monitoring

The employer must begin an exposure monitoring program for

all tasks where initial monitoring shows that employee exposures

are above the action level or STEL. (See Table 1 for monitoring

requirements in the standard.) If employee exposure is above the

action level, but at or below both the PEL and STEL, employers

must monitor employees at least every six months. If exposure is

above the PEL or STEL, employers must monitor employees at

least every three months. For employees with two consecutive

measurements taken at least seven days apart that indicate that

exposure has decreased below both the PEL and STEL, employers

may change the monitoring schedule from every three months to

every six months. When periodic monitoring taken two consecutive

times at least seven days apart shows employee exposure is below

the action level and the STEL, employers may discontinue monitoring for those employees represented by the monitoring data.

Employers must perform additional monitoring when workplace

conditions change—for example, when there is an indication that

employee exposures have increased; changes occur in the production process, control equipment, or work practices that could affect

exposure levels; and leaks, ruptures, or other breakdowns occur.1

1 Cleanup of methylene chloride spills and repairs to leaks must be made before 

performing exposure monitoring.

6


Employers must notify employees of all monitoring results, in

writing, either individually or by posting the results in an accessible

location, within 15 working days after receipt. When monitoring

results show exposures above the PEL or STEL, the notification also

must describe the corrective action being taken to reduce exposures

to or below these limits.

Employers must allow affected employees or their designated

representatives to observe any monitoring. The employer also must

provide employees with appropriate protective clothing or

equipment needed to enter regulated areas where the monitoring is

performed. Employees and their designated representatives must

wear the protective clothing and equipment provided and must

comply with all other applicable safety and health procedures.

Table 1: Monitoring Requirements 

Exposure Scenario Required Monitoring Activity

Below the action level (12.5 ppm) and No eight-hour TWA or STEL 

at or below the STEL (125 ppm) monitoring required

Below the action level (12.5 ppm) and No eight-hour TWA monitoring 

above the STEL (125 ppm) required; monitor STEL exposures 

every three months.

At or above the action level (12.5 ppm), Monitor eight-hour TWA exposures

at or below the PEL (25 ppm TWA), and every six months

at or below the STEL (125 ppm)

At or above the action level (12.5 ppm), Monitor eight-hour TWA exposures

at or below the PEL (25 ppm TWA), and every six months and

above the STEL (125 ppm) monitor STEL exposures

every three months.

Above the PEL (25 ppm TWA), and Monitor eight-hour exposures

at or below the STEL (125 ppm) every three months.

Above the PEL (25 ppm TWA) and Monitor eight-hour TWA exposures

above the STEL (125 ppm) and STEL exposures

every three months.

7


Medical Surveillance

Employer responsibility

Medical surveillance is a comprehensive way to determine if

exposure to workplace hazards adversely affects employee health.

Frequent, required medical exams or tests can lead to early

detection of occupational diseases so preventive measures can be

taken to curtail overexposure. 

Employers must put a medical surveillance program in place for

all employees exposed to methylene chloride. The only exception is

when affected employees will be exposed to methylene chloride at

or above 

■ The action level for fewer than 30 days per year, and

■ The PEL or STEL for fewer than 10 days during the year. 

Employers also must provide medical surveillance to

■ Any employee exposed above the PEL or STEL whom a 

physician or other licensed health-care professional has 

identified as being at risk for cardiac disease or some other 

serious methylene chloride-related health condition and who 

requests inclusion, regardless of the duration of methylene 

chloride exposure; and 

■ All employees during an emergency. 

Employers must provide medical surveillance at no cost to the 

employee, without loss of pay, and at a reasonable time and 

place. Medical surveillance must be available

■ Before initial work assignment, unless adequate records show 

an affected employee has received appropriate medical 

surveillance within the past 12 months. 

■ Within one year of any initial or subsequent medical 

surveillance. The frequency of required periodic medical exams 

varies by age of the employee.2

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2 Periodic physicals, including appropriate laboratory surveillance, are required as

follows: employees 45 years or older—within 12 months of initial or subsequent

medical surveillance; employees younger than 45 years—within 36 months of

initial or subsequent medical surveillance (unless warranted sooner by a

physician or other licensed health-care professional, based on employee’s annual

medical and work history).
■ At the end of employment or reassignment to an area where 

methylene chloride exposure is consistently below the action 

level and STEL, if six months or more have elapsed since the 

last medical surveillance.

■ When recommended in the physician’s or other licensed healthcare professional’s3 written opinion.

For employees working in an atmosphere with methylene

chloride concentrations that require them to use a respirator, the

examining physician or licensed health-care professional must

determine their ability to wear an air-supplied respirator in a

negative-pressure mode or a gas mask with an organic vapor

canister for emergency escape. The examiner must state this in a

written opinion to both the employee and employer. 

Requirements for medical surveillance

A physician or licensed health-care professional must perform

all medical surveillance procedures. Medical exams4 must include 

at least

■ A comprehensive medical and work history;5 and

■ A physical exam with special emphasis on the lungs, 

cardiovascular system including blood pressure and pulse, liver, 

nervous system, and skin.

The extent of laboratory surveillance6 is based on the

employee’s observed health status and medical and work history.

The medical surveillance must also include any other information7

the examining physician or licensed health-care professional determines necessary to provide an appropriate assessment.

9

3 A person whose legally permitted scope of practice allows him or her to independently perform the required health-care surveillance activities.

4 Medical surveillance, such as referrals for consultation or examination, may be

provided.

5 See Appendix B of the standard for an example of the medical and work history

format that satisfies this requirement.

6 See Appendix B of the standard for an example of the methylene chloride standard

for medical test recommendations.

7 When the examining physician or other licensed health-care professional deems it

necessary, the scope of the medical exam may be expanded and the appropriate

additional medical surveillance provided.


Employers must ensure that medical emergency exams are

available in emergency situations and include, at a minimum,

■ The appropriate medical treatment and decontamination of the 

exposed employee;

■ A comprehensive physical exam with special emphasis on the 

nervous system, cardiovascular system including blood 

pressure and pulse, lungs, liver, and skin;

■ An updated medical history as appropriate for the employee’s 

medical condition; and

■ Laboratory surveillance as indicated by the employee’s health 

status.

Information for examiners

The employer must provide the examining physician or other

licensed health-care professional who is involved in the diagnosis

of methylene chloride-induced health effects with

■ A copy of the methylene chloride standard and its appendices;

■ A description of the affected employee’s past, current, and 

anticipated future duties relating to methylene chloride 

exposure;

■ The employee’s former or current methylene chloride exposure 

levels or anticipated levels, their frequency, and anticipated 

exposure levels associated with emergencies;

■ A description of any personal protective equipment (such as 

respirators) used or to be used; and

■ Information from previous employment-related medical 

surveillance.

Services employers must arrange

The employer must arrange for the physician or other licensed

health-care professional to provide the employer and affected

employee a written opinion regarding exam results. This must

occur within 15 days of completing the evaluation of the medical

and lab findings and not more than 30 days after the exam. The

written medical opinion must be limited to

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■ The physician or licensed health-care professional’s opinion 

whether the employee has any detected medical conditions that 

would increase the risk of impairment from exposure to 

methylene chloride;

■ Any recommended limitations on employee exposure to 

methylene chloride and on the use of personal protective 

clothing or equipment and a respirator;

■ A statement that the physician or licensed health-care 

professional has informed the employee that methylene 

chloride is a potential carcinogen, of the risk factors for heart 

disease, and of the potential exacerbation of underlying heart 

disease from methylene chloride exposure and its metabolism 

to carbon monoxide; and

■ A statement that the physician or licensed health-care 

professional has informed the employee of medical exam 

results and any medical conditions resulting from methylene 

chloride exposure requiring further explanation or treatment.

The examining physician or licensed health-care professional

must not reveal to the employer, orally or in writing, any specific

records, findings, or diagnoses that have no bearing on occupational

exposures to methylene chloride.

Control Measures

How control measures protect employees

Engineering and work practice controls are the primary methods

used to reduce workers’ exposure to methylene chloride.

Employers must use engineering controls and work practices to

reduce employee exposure to methylene chloride to or below the

PEL and to maintain exposure at these levels. The only exception is

when the employer can demonstrate that this is infeasible and that

other controls are necessary. 

Engineering controls 

Examples of engineering controls are local exhaust ventilation,

general and special isolation devices, and enclosures.

11


These controls reduce employee exposure in the workplace by

either removing or isolating the hazard or isolating the worker from

it. By reducing or removing contaminants from the air, engineering

controls reduce or eliminate exposure hazards. 

Work practice controls 

Work practice controls reduce the likelihood of exposure by

altering the way a task is performed. One example is having a

worker keep his or her face out of the methylene chloride vapor

zone above a dip tank. Another safe practice is to prohibit

employees from eating, drinking, smoking, taking medication, or

applying cosmetics inside the work area where methylene chloride

is used.

Administrative controls 

An administrative control removes the worker from exposure.

For example, one method of controlling worker exposure to contaminants involves scheduling operations that pose the highest risk

of exposure when the fewest employees are present. 

However, employee rotation—for example, scheduling several

employees to perform work in the exposure area for shorter time

limits—is not an effective way to control methylene chloride

exposure. That is because, although it may reduce individual

exposure, it may increase the number of employees exposed. For

this reason, the standard strictly prohibits employee rotation as a

means of compliance with the PELs. 

Handling methylene chloride leaks

Under the methylene chloride rule, employers must implement

procedures to detect methylene chloride leaks. In work areas where

spills may occur, provisions must be in place to contain them, clean

them up promptly, and dispose of any methylene chloride contaminated waste materials safely. All leaks must be repaired and spills

cleaned up by employees who wear appropriate personal protective equipment and are trained in proper cleanup methods.8

12

8 See Appendix A in the methylene chloride standard for examples of procedures

that satisfy this requirement.


Employers covered by this standard also may be covered by 

the provisions of 29 CFR 1910.120(q), Emergency Response to

Hazardous Substance Releases.

Respiratory Protection

When respiratory protection is required

Employers must institute engineering, work practice, and administrative controls and maintain their effectiveness to reduce

employee exposure to or below the PEL. When this combination of

controls does not reduce methylene chloride exposure to or below

the PEL and STEL, employers must supplement these controls by

providing employees respirators that offer the additional protection. 

Respirators protect employees individually by extracting

methylene chloride from the air as it is about to be inhaled, or by

providing an alternate, non-contaminated source of breathable air.

The employer must provide respirators at no cost to each affected

employee and ensure their use when

■ An employee’s exposure to methylene chloride is likely to 

exceed the PEL and STEL;

■ Feasible engineering and work practice controls are being 

installed or implemented;

■ The employer demonstrates that engineering and work 

practices controls are infeasible, such as in some maintenance 

operations and repair activities;

■ Feasible engineering controls and work practices do not 

sufficiently reduce exposures to or below the PEL; and

■ During emergencies.

More specific requirements are provided in 29 CFR

1910.1052(g)(2)(i).

Selecting a respirator 

Appropriate respiratory protection varies with exposure levels, as

specified in Table 2. Employers must choose atmosphere-supplying

respirators from among those approved by the National Institute for

13


Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Employers may provide

NIOSH-approved gas masks with organic vapor canisters, but only

for use in emergency escape. The canisters must be replaced after

each use before the respirator is returned to service.

14

Methylene Chloride Airborne Minimum Respirator

Concentration (ppm) Required*

or Condition of Use

Up to 625 ppm (25 X PEL) Continuous flow supplied-air

respirator, hood, or helmet

Up to 1,250 ppm (50 X PEL) (1) Full facepiece supplied-air

respirator operated in negativepressure (demand) mode

(2) Full facepiece self-contained

breathing apparatus (SCBA)

operated in negative-pressure

(demand) mode

Up to 5,000 ppm (200 X PEL) (1) Continuous flow supplied-air

respirator, full facepiece

(2) Pressure demand supplied-air

respirator, full facepiece

(3) Positive-pressure full facepiece

SCBA

Unknown concentration, or above 5,000 (1) Positive-pressure full facepiece

ppm (Greater than 200 X PEL) SCBA

(2) Full facepiece pressure

(demand) supplied-air respirator

with an auxiliary self-contained 

air supply

Firefighting Positive-pressure full facepiece

SCBA

Emergency Escape (1) Any continuous flow or

pressure-demand SCBA

(2) Gas mask with organic vapor

canister

*Respirators assigned for higher airborne concentrations may be used at the 

lower concentrations.

Table 2: Minimum Requirements for 

Respiratory Protection for Airborne Methylene Chloride


Where respirators are used, the employer must institute a 

comprehensive respiratory protection program that complies with

29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory Protection.

Each respirator issued must be fitted properly to ensure the least

possible facepiece leakage. For negative-pressure respirators used

during emergencies, the employer must perform either qualitative

or quantitative fit tests at the initial fitting and then, at least

annually. The employer must ensure that employees leave the

regulated area to wash their faces and respirator facepieces as

necessary to prevent eye or skin irritation associated with respirator

use, or if they detect changes in breathing resistance or leakage of

the respirator facepiece. If an employee leaves the regulated area

because the respirator is malfunctioning, the employer must correct

the problem before allowing the employee to return to the

regulated area. 

Hygiene Facilities and Protective 

Clothing and Equipment

Hygiene facilities employers must provide

In cases where employees could possibly have skin contact with

solutions containing 0.1 percent or more methylene chloride

through splashes, spills, or improper work practices, the employer

must provide conveniently located washing facilities and ensure

that employees use them as needed. Similarly, where there is a

potential for eye contact with solutions containing 0.1 percent or

more methylene chloride, the employer must provide eyewash

facilities within the immediate work area for emergency use and

ensure their use when necessary.

Protective clothing and equipment 

Employees must use personal protective clothing and

equipment where needed to prevent skin or eye irritation due to

exposure to methylene chloride. The employer must provide

methylene chloride-resistant clothing and equipment at no cost to

the employees and ensure that they use it. The employer also must

15


clean, launder, and repair the protective clothing and equipment 

to keep it effective, and when necessary, replace and dispose of it

properly.

Recordkeeping Requirements

Records employers must keep

The employer must establish and keep accurate records for all

objective data, exposure monitoring, and medical surveillance in

accordance with Access to Employee Exposure and Medical

Records, 29 CFR 1910.1020. Employee exposure and objective data

records must be available for examining and copying by 

■ Affected employees,

■ Former employees,

■ Designated employee representatives,

■ Anyone who has that employee’s written consent,

■ The Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and 

Health, and 

■ The Director of NIOSH.

Objective data records

If an employer relies on objective data to show that initial monitoring is unnecessary, the record supporting that exemption must

include information on 

■ The methylene chloride-containing material in question;

■ The source of the objective data;

■ The testing protocol, results, and/or analysis of the material for 

the release of methylene chloride;

■ A description of the exempted operation and how the data 

support that exemption; and

■ Other data relevant to the operations, materials, processing, or 

employee exposure levels covered by the exemption.

The employer must maintain this record for as long as he or she

relies on the objective data.

16


Exposure measurement records

Employers must keep records of employee exposure measurements for at least 30 years. These records must include the

■ Date of measurement for each sample taken;

■ Monitored operation involving methylene chloride exposure;

■ Sampling and analytical methods used and evidence of their 

accuracy;

■ Number, duration, and results of samples taken;

■ Type of personal protective equipment (for example, 

respirators) worn; and

■ Name, social security number, job classification, and exposure 

monitoring data for all represented employees, indicating which 

employees were actually monitored.

Medical surveillance records

The employer must keep medical surveillance records for the

duration of each affected employee’s employment, plus 30 years. 

These records must include the

■ Name and social security number of each affected employee 

and a description of duties,

■ Physician’s or other licensed health-care professional’s written 

medical opinions, and

■ Employee medical conditions related to methylene chloride 

exposure.

Information and Training

Information and training employers must provide

The employer must provide information and training to all

employees in a manner they understand before or when they are

initially assigned to a job in which they could potentially be

exposed to methylene chloride. In addition to information required

under OSHA’s hazard communication standard at 29 CFR

17


1910.1200, 1915.1200, or 1926.59, as appropriate, the employer

must inform each affected employee of

■ Requirements of the standard, information available in the 

standard’s appendices, and how to access a copy of it in the 

workplace; 

■ The quantity, location, manner of use, release, and storage of 

methylene chloride in cases where exposures could exceed the 

action level, and the specific nature of operations that could 

result in such exposure; and

■ Where exposures may be above the eight-hour TWA PEL or STEL.

The employer must retrain employees as needed to ensure that

each worker exposed at or above the action level or STEL maintains

a good understanding of the principles of safe use and handling of

methylene chloride in the workplace. Also, when changes in

workplace procedures could potentially increase employee

exposures so that they might exceed the action level, the employer

must update the training to ensure a continued understanding of

hazards and control measures. Employers at multi-employer

worksites must notify other employers onsite about methylene

chloride use in accordance with OSHA’s hazard communication

standard.

OSHA Assistance

OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety of programs,

including assistance about safety and health programs, state plans,

workplace consultations, voluntary protection programs, strategic

partnerships, alliances, and training and education. An overall 

commitment to workplace safety and health can add value to your

business, to your workplace, and to your life.

Benefits of a safety and health management system

Working in a safe and healthful environment can stimulate 

innovation and creativity and result in increased performance and

higher productivity. The key to a safe and healthful work environ18


ment is a comprehensive safety and health management system.

OSHA has electronic compliance assistance tools, or eTools, on

its website that walks users through the steps required to develop a

comprehensive safety and health program. The eTools are posted

at www.osha.gov, and are based on guidelines that identify four

general elements critical to a successful safety and health management system:

■ Management leadership and employee involvement,

■ Worksite analysis, 

■ Hazard prevention and control, and

■ Safety and health training.

State programs

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act)

encourages states to develop and operate their own job safety and

health plans. OSHA approves and monitors these plans and funds

up to 50 percent of each program’s operating costs. State plans

must provide standards and enforcement programs, as well as

voluntary compliance activities, that are at least as effective as

federal OSHA’s.

Currently, 26 states and territories have their own plans. Twentythree cover both private and public (state and local government)

employees and three states, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New

York, cover only the public sector. For more information on state

plans, see the list at the end of this publication, or visit OSHA’s

website at www.osha.gov.

Consultation assistance

Consultation assistance is available on request to employers

who want help establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful

workplace. Funded largely by OSHA, the service is provided at no

cost to small employers and is delivered by state authorities

through professional safety and health consultants. 

19


Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program

Under the consultation program, certain exemplary employers

may request participation in OSHA’s Safety and Health

Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). Eligibility for participation includes, but is not limited to, receiving a full-service, comprehensive 

consultation visit, correcting all identified hazards, and developing

an effective safety and health management system.

Employers accepted into SHARP may receive an exemption

from programmed inspections (not complaint or accident 

investigation inspections) for 1 year initially, or 2 years upon

renewal. For more information about consultation assistance, visit

www.osha.gov

Voluntary Protection Programs

Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) are designed to recognize

outstanding achievements by companies that have developed and

implemented effective safety and health management programs.

There are three VPP programs: Star, Merit, and Demonstration. 

All are designed to

■ Recognize employers who that have successfully developed and 

implemented effective and comprehensive safety and health 

management programs;

■ Encourage these employers to continuously improve their safety

and health management programs;

■ Motivate other employers to achieve excellent safety and health 

results in the same outstanding way; and

■ Establish a cooperative relationship between employers, 

employees, and OSHA.

VPP participation can bring many benefits to employers and

employees, including fewer worker fatalities, injuries, and illnesses;

lost-workday case rates generally 50 percent below industry

averages; and lower workers’ compensation and other injury- and

illness-related costs. In addition, many VPP sites report improved

employee motivation to work safely, leading to a better quality of

20


life at work; positive community recognition and interaction; further

improvement and revitalization of already-good safety and health

programs; and a positive relationship with OSHA.

After a site applies for the program, OSHA reviews an

employer’s VPP application and conducts a VPP onsite evaluation to

verify that the site’s safety and health management programs are

operating effectively. OSHA conducts onsite evaluations on a

regular basis.

Sites participating in VPP are not scheduled for regular, 

programmed inspections. OSHA does, however, handle any

employee complaints, serious accidents, or significant chemical

releases that may occur at VPP sites according to routine 

enforcement procedures.

Additional information on VPP is available from OSHA regional

offices listed at the end of this booklet and at www.osha.gov.

Cooperative partnerships 

OSHA has learned firsthand that voluntary, cooperative partnerships with employers, employees, and unions can be a useful alternative to traditional enforcement and an effective way to reduce

worker deaths, injuries, and illnesses. This is especially true when a

partnership leads to the development and implementation of a

comprehensive workplace safety and health management system.

Alliance program

Alliances enable organizations committed to workplace safety

and health to collaborate with OSHA to prevent injuries and

illnesses in the workplace. OSHA and its allies work together to

reach out to, educate, and lead the nation’s employers and their

employees in improving and advancing workplace safety and

health. 

Alliances are open to all, including trade or professional 

organizations, businesses, labor organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies. In some cases, organizations may

be building on existing relationships with OSHA through other

cooperative programs. 

21


There are few formal program requirements for alliances, which

are less structured than other cooperative agreements, 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 promotion of the national dialogue on workplace safety 

and health. 

Strategic Partnership Program 

OSHA Strategic Partnerships are agreements among labor, 

management, and government to improve workplace safety and

health. These partnerships encourage, assist, and recognize the

efforts of the 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 build cooperative relationships with groups of employers 

and employees.

For more information about this program, contact your nearest

OSHA office or visit www.osha.gov.

Occupational safety and health training 

The OSHA Training Institute in Arlington Heights, Ill., provides

basic and advanced training and education in safety and health 

for federal and state compliance officers, state consultants, other

federal agency personnel, and private-sector employers,

employees, and their representatives.

Training grants

OSHA awards grants to nonprofit organizations to provide 

safety and health training and education to employers and workers

in the workplace. Grants often focus on high-risk activities or

hazards or may help nonprofit organizations in training, education,

and outreach. 

22


OSHA expects each grantee to develop a program that

addresses a safety and health topic named by OSHA, recruit

workers and employers for the training, and conduct the training.

Grantees are also expected to follow up with students to find out

how they applied the training in their workplaces.

For more information contact OSHA Office of Training and

Education, 2020 Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005;

or call (847) 297-4810.

Other assistance materials 

OSHA has a variety of materials and tools on its website at

www.osha.gov. These include eTools such as Expert Advisors and

Electronic Compliance Assistance Tools, information on specific

health and safety topics, regulations, directives, publications,

videos, and other information for employers and employees.

OSHA also has an extensive publications program. For a list of

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. 

In addition, OSHA’s CD-ROM includes standards, interpretations,

directives, and more. It is available for sale from the U.S.

Government Printing Office. To order, write to the Superintendent

of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC

20402, or phone (202) 512-1800.

To contact 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 office listed at the end of this publication. The 

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

Employees can also file a complaint online and get more 

information on OSHA federal and state programs by visiting

OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.

23


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, OSHA-approved state plans,

and OSHA consultation projects, visit www.osha.gov or call (800) 321-OSHA (6742).

24



Region I

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

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*)

Atlanta Federal Center

61 Forsyth Street SW, Room 6T50

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

(303) 844-1600

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