INDOOR AIR QUALITY

 

Click on any of the following links for detailed information.

 

·       OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS

·       WORKPLACE MONITORING

·       EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

·       VENTILATION

·       SMOKING

 

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS

Employer must ensure that worker’s exposure is kept as low as reasonable practicable and does not exceed the occupational exposure limit listed in the table below.

 

Chemical name

8-hour

exposure limit

15 minute or ceiling limit

Acetic acid

10 ppm

15 ppm

Acetone

750 ppm

1000 ppm

Ammonia

25 ppm

35 ppm

Carbon black

3.5 mg/m3

--

Carbon dioxide

5000 ppm

30,000 ppm

Carbon monoxide

25 ppm

--

Ethyl acetate

400 ppm

--

Formaldehyde

0.75 ppm

2 ppm

Hydrogen sulfide

10 ppm

15 ppm

Hydroquinone

2 mg/m3

--

Isopropyl alcohol

400 ppm

500 ppm

Sulfur dioxide

2 ppm

5 ppm

 

If a worker is exposed to a substance in a concentration greater than its 8-hour limit but less than its 15-minute limit, the employer must ensure that each 15 minute period is followed by a period of at least 60 minutes below the 8-hour limit. The worker cannot be exposed to more than 4 of the 15-minute periods in any one 24-hour period.

 

If there is no 15-minute limit, the 8-hour limit must be complied with except the worker may be exposed to no more than 3 times the 8-hour limit for more than 30 minutes during a 24-hour period and 5 times the 8-hour limit at any time.

(Occupational Health and Safety Code, 16)

 

WORKPLACE MONITORING

If a worker may be exposed to a harmful substance, the employer must identify the health hazards and assess the workers’ exposure. The employer must inform exposed workers of the health hazards associated with exposure to that substance and of results of air testing at the work site.

 

If a worker may be exposed to a concentration greater than the exposure limit, the employer must measure concentrations.

(Occupational Health and Safety Code, 21 - 22)

 

EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

If a worker is exposed to more than the exposure limit, the employer must immediately protect the worker from further exposure, control the situation so that no other workers are exposed, and explain to the worker the nature and extent of the overexposure.

(Occupational Health and Safety Code, 22)

 

VENTILATION

The employer must ensure that a ventilation system is designed, installed and maintained in accordance with established engineering principles and maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

 

The employer must ensure that externally exhausted air is prevented from entering a work site, make up air is provided and the concentration of a contaminant controlled by the ventilation system and discharged within the work site does not exceed 10% of the contaminants occupational exposure limit.

 

The employer must ensure that workers are trained in the correct use of the ventilation system and use it properly.

(Occupational Health and Safety Code, 386-8)

 

SMOKING

Check local bylaws to determine whether there are any municipal smoking regulations.

 

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