INDOOR AIR QUALITY

 

Click on any of the following links for detailed information.

 

·        OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS

·        EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

·        VENTILATION

Ø      Make-up air

Ø      Design

·        SMOKING

 

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS

Worker exposure to a hazardous substance must not exceed the exposure limit specified in the schedule in the regulation. The table below is excerpted from the schedule, and contains some common hazardous substances and their exposure limits. (Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents Regulation 833/90, 3, Schedule)

 

Chemical name

8-hour

exposure limit

15-minute

exposure limit

Ceiling

Acetic acid

10 ppm

15 ppm

--

Acetone

500 ppm

750 ppm

--

Ammonia

25 ppm

35 ppm

--

Carbon black

3.5 mg/m3

--

--

Carbon dioxide

5,000 ppm

30,000 ppm

--

Carbon monoxide

35 ppm

400 ppm

--

Ethyl acetate

400 ppm

--

--

Formaldehyde

1 mg/m3

2 mg/m3

--

Hydrogen sulfide

10 mg/m3

15 mg/m3

--

Isopropyl alcohol

400 ppm

500 ppm

--

Sulfur dioxide

2 ppm

5 ppm

--

 

 

EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

The employer must take measures that are reasonably necessary to protect workers from exposure. Measures include engineering controls, work practices, hygiene facilities and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE can only be used to protect workers from exposure when other measures are not practicable. (Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents Regulation 833/90, 6-7)

 

VENTILATION

Make-up air

Fresh make-up must be tempered to maintain the temperature at greater than 18oC, must be free of contaminants, must not cause drafts, and must not spread dust. (Industrial Establishments Regulation 851/90, 128)

 

Design

A workplace must be adequately ventilated so the atmosphere does not endanger workers. (Industrial Establishments Regulation 851/90, 127)

 

SMOKING

Smoking is not allowed in the workplace. (Smoke-Free Ontario Act and regulations)

 

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