INDOOR AIR QUALITY

 

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·       OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS

·       EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

·       VENTILATION

Ø    Local exhaust

Ø    Make-up air

Ø    Design

Ø    Maintenance

Ø    Recirculated air

·       SMOKING

 

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS

Worker exposure to a hazardous substance must not exceed the exposure limit specified in table 21 in the regulation. The table below is excerpted from table 21, and contains some common hazardous substances and their exposure limits.

 

Chemical name

8-hour

exposure limit

15-minute

exposure limit

Ceiling

Acetic acid

10 ppm

15 ppm

--

Acetone

250 ppm

500 ppm

--

Ammonia

25 ppm

35 ppm

--

Carbon black

3.5 mg/m3

7 mg/m3

--

Carbon dioxide

5,000 ppm

15,000 ppm

--

Carbon monoxide

25 ppm

100 ppm

--

Ethyl acetate

150 ppm

--

--

Formaldehyde

0.3 ppm

--

1

Hydrogen sulfide

--

--

10

Hydroquinone

--

--

2

Isopropyl alcohol

400 ppm

500 ppm

--

Sulfur dioxide

2 ppm

5 ppm

--

 

(Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 307)

 

EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

When a worker is exposed to hazardous airborne concentrations of a contaminant, written procedures must be developed and implemented. The procedures must identify the substances workers are exposed to, the conditions of work allowed, and preventative steps to ensure that workers are not exposed to harmful concentrations. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 307)

 

VENTILATION

The employer must ensure that there is adequate ventilation of the workplace. Contaminants must be rendered harmless by providing clean air and circulation. Mechanical ventilation must be provided where contaminants are likely to be hazardous to workers or where there is a large quantity. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 65-66)

 

Local exhaust

Where practical, local exhaust should be provided and be near the point of origin of the contaminants. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 66)

 

Make-up air

Sufficient fresh and tempered air must be provided to replace exhausted air. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 66)

 

Design

A mechanical ventilation system must be constructed and maintained to minimize bacterial growth and insects. Components must be readily accessible for cleaning and inspection. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 67)

 

Maintenance

A competent person must maintain the ventilation system. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 67)

 

Recirculated air

Airborne contaminants must be exhausted clear of the workplace and prevented from re-entering. If an air cleaning system is used for recirculated air, it must be designed, installed, and maintained to remove particles and gaseous contaminants to protect workers. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 66)

 

SMOKING

Smoking must only be permitted in designated areas. Signs must be posted where smoking is permitted. (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 1996, 77)

 

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