Source: https://www.osha.gov/Reduction_Act/HAZARDOU.html
Timestamp: 2015-05-22 23:49:47
Document Index: 224344792

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1910', '§1910', '§1910', '§1910', '§1910', '§1910']

Supporting Statement For The Information Collection Rquirements For The Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories Standard
SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR THE INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS IN LABORATORIES STANDARD
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request;
Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories Standard
The Occupational Safety and Health Act's (OSH Act) main objective is to " . . . assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources." As one means of achieving this objective, the Act specifically authorizes "the development and promulgation of occupational safety and health standards" to ensure that employees will be furnished "employment and a place of employment . . . free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm."
The OSH Act contains specific statutory language for toxic substances. Thus, as appropriate, health standards are required to include provisions for monitoring and measuring employee exposure, medical examinations or other tests, control methods and personal protective equipment, and the use of labels or other appropriate forms of warning to ensure that employees are apprised of hazards, relevant symptoms and treatment, as well as precautions for safe use or exposure [Section (6)(b)(7) OSH Act]. In addition, the Act specifically mandates the issuance "of regulations requiring employers to maintain accurate records of employee exposures to potentially toxic materials or other harmful physical agents which are required to be monitored and measured" and further requires that employees exposed to concentrations over prescribed limits be notified of this fact and of the corrective action being taken [Section (8)(c)(1),(c)(3) OSH Act].
Pursuant to OSHA's statutory authority, under Section (b) of the OSH Act, OSHA published a health standard governing occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories (29 CFR 1910.1450). The basis for this standard is a determination of the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, that occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals poses a significant risk to workers. Exposure to these chemicals causes aplastic anemia, leukemia, multiple myeloma, tumors, colon and lung cancer, and death.
The standard's information collection requirements are fully discussed in section 2 and 12.
Exposure Monitoring[§1910.1450(d)]
Employers are required to perform initial monitoring in order to determine the extent of exposure in their workplace. Initial monitoring assists employers in identifying areas of operation that may require additional efforts to reduce exposure and come into compliance with the standard. Initial monitoring results also assist employers in determining the necessity for using engineering controls, instituting or modifying work practices and in selecting appropriate respiratory protection to prevent employees from over exposure. If the initial monitoring exceeds the standard's action level, then the employer must conduct periodic monitoring.
Periodic monitoring would be appropriate because relative minor changes in the process, materials or environmental conditions might change the airborne concentration levels. By using periodic monitoring, employers can evaluate the effectiveness of selected control methods. In addition, these measurements remind both the employer and employee of the continued need to protect against the hazards which could result from employee's over exposure.
The collection of exposure monitoring will also enable the examining physician to be informed of the existence and extent of potential sources of occupational diseases.
Employee Notification of Results
Employers are required to either post or individually inform employees of their monitoring results either by posting the results or by individually notifying the employee. Notification ensures employees are notified of their results, and what corrective action the employer is going to take to ensure that employees are not overexposed.
Chemical Hygiene Plan [§1910.1450(e)]
Where hazardous chemicals are used in the workplace, the employer shall develop and carry out the provisions of a written Chemical Hygiene Plan. This plan shall include standard operating procedures relevant to the safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals. It should also include the criteria that the employer uses to determine and implement control measures to reduce employee exposure to hazardous chemicals including engineering controls, the use of personal protective equipment and hygiene practices; particular attention shall be given to the selection of control measures for chemicals that are known to be extremely hazardous. As well as information involving employee training, fume hoods, medical surveillance, and designation of responsible personnel. The written plan requirement commits the employer to evaluating employee exposure and setting down an organized and complete plan of reducing employee exposure. The plan
also provides employees and their designated representatives a resource to ensure that all appropriate protective steps will be taken to protect them from hazardous exposure.
Information and Training [§1910.1450(f)]
The standard requires employers to provide employees with information and training at the time of initial assignment and when necessary thereafter (determined by the employer). Training is essential to inform employees of the hazards to which they are exposed and to provide employees with the necessary understanding of the degree to which they themselves can minimize the health hazard potential. Training serves to explain and reinforce the information presented to employees on signs, labels and MSDS's. These written forms of information and warning will be successful and relevant only when employees understand the information presented and are aware of the actions to be taken to avoid or minimize exposures.
Training provides information to the employee to enable them to be able to recognize how and where he or she might be occupationally exposed and what steps should be taken to limit exposure. Workers must be provided information on location, use, work practices.
Medical Consultation and Medical Examinations [§1910.1450(g)]
The standard requires that employees whose duties require them to be potentially exposed be provided annual physical examinations.
Medical examinations and the related information collection requirements provide continuous monitoring of the health of potentially exposed employees. Records of medical examinations are used by physicians who must periodically examine employees exposed to hazardous chemicals. Without records of previous medical examinations, the physician may not be able to determine whether an employee has suffered adverse health effects since his or her last examination. Further, when symptoms of organic damage appear, the physician often needs information as to the patient's previous medical conditions to make an accurate diagnosis of the new problem, its apparent cause, and the course of treatment required.
Medical records are also designed so that employees can determine whether or not treatment is needed for occupational exposures.
The maintenance period for records regarding employee health is necessary because of the lengthy latency periods associated with the manifestation of disease due to exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Information Provided to Physician [§1910.1450(g)(3)]
Making the required information available to the physician will aid in the evaluation of the employee's health and fitness for each job assignment where potential exposure to hazardous chemicals exist.
Physician's Written Opinion [§1910.1450(g)(4)]
The purpose in requiring the employer to obtain a written opinion from the examining physician is to provide the employer with a medical basis to aid in the determination of initial placement of employees and to assess the employee's ability to use protective clothing and equipment. The physician's opinion will also provide information to the employer as to whether the employee may be suffering from overexposure to hazardous chemicals. The requirement that a physician's opinion be in written form will ensure that employers have had the benefit of the information.
The requirement that an employee be provided a copy of