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Methylene Chloride (MC)

Methylene Chloride (MC). Familiarization with MC. MC is used as a solvent, especially where quick evaporation is needed Methylene chloride dissolves oils, fats, waxes, resins, rubber. 1a. Familiarization with MC. Methylene chloride is used: in paint strippers as an ingredient in adhesives

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Methylene Chloride (MC)

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  1. Methylene Chloride(MC)

  2. Familiarization with MC • MC is used as a solvent, especially where quick evaporation is needed • Methylene chloride dissolves oils, fats, waxes, resins, rubber 1a

  3. Familiarization with MC • Methylene chloride is used: • in paint strippers • as an ingredient in adhesives • as a degreasing agent • in propellant mixtures for aerosols • as an extracting agent in the pharmaceutical industry • as a blowing agent in polyurethane foam manufacture 1b

  4. Training requirements • How to detect the chemical’s presence or release • The physical and health hazards of the chemical 2a

  5. Training requirements • Safe work practices • Emergency procedures • Personal protective equipment 2b

  6. Training requirements • The hazard communication program • Chemical labeling • How to use MSDSs 2c

  7. Training requirements • Training is required under OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard • Training on MC is required before, or at the time of initial assignment to a job involving potential exposure to MC 2d

  8. Training requirements • Hazard communication training must include the hazards of: • cancer • cardiac effects • central nervous system effects • liver effects • skin and eye irritation 2e

  9. Training requirements • In addition to HazCom training, you need to know: • the requirements of the MC standard • the information that is available for MC • how to access or obtain copies of the standard and its appendices 2f

  10. Training requirements • When exposures may be above the action level (12.5 ppm as an 8-hour TWA), you need to know: • quantity • location • manner of use • release • storage locations 2g

  11. Training requirements • Specific operations in our workplace that could result in exposure to MC 2h

  12. Training requirements • Employees who are exposed above the action level or the STEL (125 ppm for any 15-minute sampling period) may need to be re-trained • Changes in the workplace can also trigger re-training 2i

  13. Physical hazards • Methylene chloride: • is a clear colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor • is only slightly soluble in water and mixes completely with most solvents • evaporates very quickly • vapors are heavier than air 3a

  14. Physical hazards • MC forms flammable vapor/air mixtures at temperatures at or above 212 degrees F • When MC is involved in a fire, it decomposes into highly toxic and irritating chemicals 3b

  15. Physical hazards • Fires and explosions may result if MC comes into contact with strong oxidizers, caustics, and chemically active metals • Heat and moisture contribute to the instability of MC 3c

  16. Health hazards • The primary route of entry for MC is inhalation of its vapors • MC can also be ingested or absorbed by the skin • Direct contact with the liquid is irritating to the eyes/skin 4a

  17. Health hazards • Health hazards can be either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) • The effects of long-term overexposure to MC may include cancer 4b

  18. Health hazards • There is evidence that MC can have adverse effects on the heart, central nervous system, and liver 4c

  19. Material Safety Data Sheets • The Hazard Communication standard requires MSDSs for products that contain hazardous materials 5a

  20. Material Safety Data Sheets • When the product contains MC, make sure you are familiar with its health hazards in regards to: • cancer • cardiac effects • central nervous system effects • liver effects • skin and eye irritation 5b

  21. Material Safety Data Sheets • MSDSs provide other useful information about how to handle the product and protect yourself from its hazards 5c

  22. Labeling • All containers of MC must have legible labels that include the hazards • Labels must comply with the Hazard Communication standard 6a

  23. Labeling • The label’s legend can be similar to the following: 6b

  24. Exposure limits • Exposures to airborne MC must be at safe levels • An employee’s exposure is determined without the use of a respirator • Exposures are given in parts per million (ppm) 7a

  25. Exposure limits • OSHA has set safe exposure limits as follows: • 25 ppm as an 8-hour Time Weighted Average Permissible Exposure Limit (TWA PEL) • 125 ppm as a 15-minute Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) 7b

  26. Exposure limits • The action level is 12.5 ppm as an 8-hour TWA 7c

  27. Monitoring • When MC is present in the workplace, the employer must determine each employee’s exposure • One or more samples can be used to represent the exposures of several employees 8a

  28. Monitoring • The employer has to conduct initial monitoring unless: • there is objective evidence that airborne concentrations of MC will not reach the action level or STEL 8b

  29. Monitoring • The employer has to conduct initial monitoring unless: • employees are exposed to MC less than 30 days per year • adequate monitoring results were obtained in the year before the MC rule was effective (within 12 months prior to April 10, 1997) 8c

  30. Monitoring • Periodic air monitoring must be conducted, depending on the results of the initial monitoring • Monitoring may need to be done as frequently as every three months 8d

  31. Monitoring • Employees or their representatives have the right to observe any exposure monitoring • Anyone who is an observer must wear all necessary PPE and protective equipment 8e

  32. Monitoring • Observers must follow all safety rules and procedures for the area • Employees must be informed of the monitoring results within 15 working days after the employer receives them 8f

  33. Monitoring • The written notification of the results must include corrective actions being taken to reduce any exposures to below the 8-hour TWA PEL or STEL 8g

  34. Medical screening/surveillance • Guidelines for the medical screening and surveillance program are in Appendix B of the standard • Initial screening is provided before initial assignment 9a

  35. Medical screening/surveillance • Screening is conducted at no cost to the employee, without loss of pay, and at a reasonable time and place 9b

  36. Medical screening/surveillance • Medical screening and surveillance will be provided for a worker whose exposure to MC is: • at or above the action level on 30 or more days per year • above the 8-hour TWA PEL or STEL for 10 days or more per year 9c

  37. Medical screening/surveillance • Medical screening & surveillance will be provided for a worker whose exposure to MC is: • above the 8-hour TWA PEL or STEL for any period of time if the employee has been identified as being at risk from cardiac disease or any other serious MC related health condition 9d

  38. Medical screening/surveillance • Medical screening & surveillance will be provided for a worker whose exposure to MC is due to an emergency involving MC 9e

  39. Medical screening/surveillance • Continuing medical screening and surveillance is provided as follows: • Employees 45 or older will receive annual periodic medical surveillance • Employees under 45 will receive periodic medical surveillance every 36 months 9f

  40. Medical screening/surveillance • A medical examination and appropriate tests are provided upon termination of employment if six months or more have elapsed since the last physical examination 9g

  41. Medical screening/surveillance • A medical screening includes a baseline health questionnaire that emphasizes: • Neurological symptoms • Skin conditions • History of hematologic or liver diseases • Signs or symptoms of congestive heart disease 9h

  42. Medical screening/surveillance • A medical screening includes a baseline health questionnaire that emphasizes: • Risk factors for heart disease • MC exposure • Work practices used • PPE 9i

  43. Medical screening/surveillance • The physician issues a written medical opinion no more than 30 days after the examination • The written opinion is provided to both the employer and the employee 9j

  44. Medical screening/surveillance The information in the written opinion is limited to: • Occupationally pertinent results 9k

  45. Medical screening/surveillance • A medical opinion concerning whether exposure to MC may contribute to or aggravate the employee’s existing cardiac, hepatic, neurological, or dermal disease 9l

  46. Medical screening/surveillance • A medical opinion as to whether the employee has any other medical condition(s) that would place the employee’s health at increased risk from exposure to MC • Recommended limitations on the employee’s exposure to MC 9m

  47. Medical screening/surveillance • A statement that the employee has been informed of the health risks associated with MC exposure • A statement that the employee has been informed of the results of the medical evaluation 9n

  48. Temporary medical removal protection benefits • In some situations, physicians can recommend that an employee be removed from exposure to MC 10a

  49. Temporary medical removal protection benefits • When exposure to MC is determined to aggravate an employee’s existing condition, medical removal protection benefits are in order 10b

  50. Temporary medical removal protection benefits • The employer can either: • transfer the employee to comparable work where MC exposure is below the action level; or • remove the employee from MC exposure 10c

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