OSHA issued citations related to methylene chloride hazards, including allowing workers to be overexposed to the solvent and failing to provide PPE, eye wash stations and medical surveillance for workers exposed or potentially exposed to the solvent. Sinclair & Rush Inc. also failed to implement engineering controls and work practices to reduce employee exposure. OSHA issued 10 serious and one other-than-serious safety and health citations. The proposed penalties totalled $127,539.
“Allowing employees to be exposed to methylene chloride improperly puts them at an increased risk of certain cancers, damage to the heart, liver and central nervous system, and skin or eye irritation. Employers must ensure critical safety and health precautions are in place to protect workers using or potentially exposed to this highly hazardous solvent from injury or illness,” said OSHA Area Director Lisa Levy. “OSHA recommends employers use alternative, less hazardous chemicals or methods to prevent worker exposure to methylene chloride.”
Source : OH&S