Vinyl Chloride

Health hazards Acute (immediate) health effects Inhalation Direct contact Ingestion 1a

Health hazards Chronic (long-term) effects Raynaud’s syndrome Liver damage Nervous system damage Cancer, especially liver cancer Make effective use of warning labels 1b

Permissible exposure limits No employee may be exposed to vinyl chloride at concentrations greater than 1 ppm TWA No employee may be exposed to vinyl chloride at concentrations greater than 5ppm over any 15 minute period 2a

Permissible exposure limits No employee may be exposed to VC by direct contact with liquid VC 2b

Vinyl chloride operations Areas, processes that use vinyl chloride Handling equipment 3a

Vinyl chloride operations Jobs that involve vinyl chloride activities Operations where exposure to vinyl chloride exceeds PEL 3b

Protective measures to prevent exposure Use exhaust ventilation systems Minimize the release of vinyl chloride Follow proper operating procedures 4a

Protective measures to prevent exposure Wear required personal protective equipment Keep containers closed, protected from damage, properly stored 4b

Protective measures to prevent exposure Establish regulated areas where concentrations are in excess of PEL 4c

Respiratory protection Required whenever engineering and work practice controls do not reduce exposure levels below the PEL Use engineering and work practice controls to reduce exposure levels to the lowest practical level 5a

Respiratory protection Select the type of respirator based upon atmospheric concentration of vinyl chloride Limitations of respiratory equipment 5b

Exposure monitoring Initial monitoring to determine if exposures are above action level (0.5 ppm TWA) Test after changes in production, processes, or controls 6a

Exposure monitoring Test if any employee may be exposed above the action level Repeat the monitoring if any exposures are above the action level 6b

Exposure monitoring Repeat monitoring at least monthly if exposures are above the PEL Repeat monitoring at least every three months if exposures are above the action level 6c

Exposure monitoring Monitoring can only be discontinued after two consecutive tests, made five days apart, show exposure is at or below the action level 6d

Exposure monitoring Monitoring methods must meet accuracy standards Employers must notify employees in writing within 10 working days if exposure is in excess of PEL 6e

Exposure monitoring Maintain monitoring records according to 29 CFR 1910.1020 6f

Medical surveillance Available to employees having exposure in excess of the action level Exams must be conducted under the supervision of a licensed physician 7a

Medical surveillance Exams are without cost to employees Exams consist of: general physical exam review of employee’s medical history specific blood tests 7b

Medical surveillance Medical surveillance must be started when: an employee is initially assigned to work where exposure exceeds the action level operations change so that exposure levels increase to above the action level 7c

Medical surveillance Medical surveillance must be started when: an employee is exposed to vinyl chloride as a result of an emergency Exams are repeated annually for most employees exposed above the action level 7d

Medical surveillance Physician issues a statement of the employee’s suitability for continued exposure to vinyl chloride Employee receives a copy of the statement 7e

Emergency situations Employees engaged in hazardous operations are required to use respiratory protection and protective clothing Emergencies must be reported to OSHA within 24 hours 8a

Emergency situations A written operation plan must be developed for each facility storing, handling, using vinyl chloride Remember that vinyl chloride is flammable; consult MSDSs 8b

Training Review paragraphs (a) through (o) of 29 CFR 1910.1017 9a