Methylene Chloride Case Study

My essay will determine if a local chemical manufacturing plant is in compliance with OSHA Methylene Chloride, specializing in paint stripper for the DOD. Occupational health standard establishes requirements for employers to control occupational exposure to methylene chloride. Exposure may occur through inhalation, by absorption through the skin, or through contact with the skin. 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.
Determine if the plant is using a soy-based stripper that do not contain methylene chloride, N-methylpyrrolidone, or other toxic solvents, when it comes to paint stripping

If employee exposure is above the action level, but at or below both the PEL and STEL, employers must monitor employees at least every 6 months. If exposure is above the PEL or STEL, employers must monitor employees at least every 3 months. For employees with two consecutive measurements taken at least 7 days apart that indicate that exposure has decreased below both the PEL and STEL, employers may change the monitoring schedule from every 3 months to every 6 months. When periodic monitoring taken two consecutive times at least 7 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.
In conclusion, OSHA 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. The employer must ensure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of methylene chloride in excess of 25 ppm as an 8-hour TWA. Reaching or exceeding the action level signals that employers must begin compliance activities such as exposure monitoring and medical