OSHA General Industry Standards (29 CFR Part 1910) 1910.1018: 1910.1018 Inorganic arsenic

Applies to all occupational exposure to inorganic arsenic (copper acetoarsenite and all inorganic arsenic compounds except arsine, measured as As), except agriculture, pesticide application, wood preservative treatment and use of arsenically preserved wood. PEL: 10 µg/m3 averaged over any 8-hour period; action level 5 µg/m3 averaged over any 8-hour period; no short-term limit. Exposure monitoring: full-shift personal samples of at least 7 continuous hours, at least one per shift per job classification per work area, ignoring respirator use; initial monitoring of each workplace and operation; if below the action level no repeat except after changes; above the PEL at least quarterly; between action level and PEL at least every six months; monitoring may stop after two consecutive results at least 7 days apart are below the action level; additional monitoring after production, process, control or personnel changes. Accuracy at 95 percent confidence of plus or minus 25 percent at or above 10 µg/m3 and 35 percent between 5 and 10 µg/m3. Written notification within 15 working days, stating any PEL exceedance and the corrective action. Regulated areas where exposure exceeds the PEL: demarcated, authorized access, respirators for all entrants, no eating, smoking, chewing or cosmetics (drinking water permitted). Methods of compliance: engineering and work practice controls to reach the PEL (deadline December 31, 1979) supplemented by respirators; employee rotation not required before respirators; a written compliance program describing each emitting operation, engineering studies, technology considered, monitoring data and an implementation schedule, available at the worksite and revised at least annually. Respirators under 1910.134: no half masks for arsenic trichloride, HEPA filters, combination HEPA and acid-gas cartridges where gases also exceed limits, selection by concentration, PAPR on employee request, and examination by a physician trained in pulmonary medicine for anyone with breathing difficulty during fit testing or use. Protective clothing for regulated-area workers and where skin or eye irritation is possible (impervious clothing for arsenic trichloride), freshly laundered at least weekly and daily above 100 µg/m3, removed only in change rooms, in closed labelled containers, launderers informed in writing, no blowing or shaking. Housekeeping: no compressed air, shoveling or brushing only where vacuuming is ineffective, and a written housekeeping and maintenance plan with frequencies, plus periodic cleaning and effectiveness checks of dust collection and ventilation with a notation of the last check. Hygiene: change rooms, end-of-shift showers, temperature-controlled positive-pressure filtered lunchrooms, hand and face washing before eating, clothing vacuuming facilities above 100 µg/m3, and no skin or eye contact with arsenic trichloride or irritating inorganic arsenic. Medical surveillance for employees above the action level at least 30 days per year, and for those with 10 or more years of such exposure: initial exam (work, medical and smoking history, respiratory symptoms, chest X-ray, nasal and skin examination), periodic exams at least annually, termination exam if none in the prior six months, and exams on signs or symptoms; physician written opinion copied to the employee. Training at initial assignment and at least annually for those above the action level or at risk of skin or eye irritation, including Appendix A. Hazard communication under 1910.1200; illuminated DANGER INORGANIC ARSENIC MAY CAUSE CANCER signs. Records: monitoring and medical records (including initial X-ray, most recent 5 years of X-rays and all abnormal X-rays onward) kept at least 40 years or duration of employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer; successor employers receive records. Appendices A to C are informational; Appendix C describes annual periodic exams for covered employees aged 45 or less with fewer than 10 years of employment above the action level, and six-monthly exams for other covered employees.