Ethylene Oxide

Regulated areas

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Regulated areas must be created if employees may be exposed to ethylene oxide above the excursion limit

1a

Requirements

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Substance safety data sheet (Appendix A)

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Substance Technical Guidelines (Appendix B)

2a

Requirements

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Definitions: • • • • • • Ethylene oxide Permissible exposure limit Action level Excursion limit Engineering controls Work practices

2b

Detecting the presence of ethylene oxide

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On-going monitoring depends upon contaminant levels above the: • excursion limit • • action level 8-hour TWA

3a

Detecting the presence of ethylene oxide

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Monitoring may be stopped under some conditions

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Employees must be told of monitoring results within 15 working days in one of two ways: • • in person through group postings

3b

Detecting the presence of ethylene oxide

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Written notification must include corrective actions

3c

Detecting the presence of ethylene oxide

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Additional monitoring may be done whenever there is a change in: • processes • • • equipment personnel work practices

3d

Detecting the presence of ethylene oxide

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Written plans must be in place if an employee is exposed at or above the TWA or excursion limit

3e

Physical hazards

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Highly flammable

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Highly explosive

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Heavier than air

4a

Physical hazards

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Immediate (acute) health hazards • • • • eye irritation skin irritant ingestion inhalation

4b

Physical hazards

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Observable effects: • • • • • headache nausea vomiting shortness of breath cyanosis

4c

Health hazards

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Long-term (chronic) health hazards • • • carcinogen reproductive health changes mutagenic

4d

Work practices

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You should not wear contact lenses when working with ethylene oxide

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Do not store or use cosmetics, lip balm, food items, beverages, or smoking items in regulated areas

5a

Work practices

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Storage procedures

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Prohibit sources of ignition

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Use non-sparking tools

5b

Work practices

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Do not incinerate ethylene oxide cartridges, tanks, containers

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Flammable and combustible liquid regulations under 29 CFR 1910.106

5c

Work practices

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Locations with ethylene oxide must follow Class I electrical safety practices

5d

Emergency procedures

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Fire extinguishers and emergency showers must be readily available

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First aid measures • • • • Eyes Skin Breathing Swallowing

6a

Emergency procedures

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Remove ignition sources

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Evacuate the area

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Persons must wear appropriate PPE to enter clean-up area

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Properly dispose of waste

6b

Personal protective equipment

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PPE requires special attention

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Impermeable clothing may be necessary

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Decontamination procedures

7a

Personal protective equipment

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Splashproof goggles are required in areas where liquid ethylene oxide is present

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Training for hospitals and healthcare facilities

7b

Proper use and limitations of respirators

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Respirators are required whenever engineering controls and work practices do not keep exposure levels below the TWA

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Donning, use, limitations, doffing, decontamination, and storage

8a

Proper use and limitations of respirators

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Ethylene oxide is odorless until the exposure limit has been exceeded by approximately 700 percent

8b

Medical surveillance

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Medical surveillance is required for all employees who are exposed at or above the action level for at least 30 days

9a

Medical surveillance

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Examinations will be: • prior to assignment to an area where exposure may be at or above the action level for at least 30 days a year • at least annually where exposure may be at or above the action level for at least 30 days a year

9b

Medical surveillance

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Examinations will be: • at termination of employment or transfer to an area where exposure is not at or above the action level for at least 30 days a year • as appropriate for an emergency exposure

9c

Medical surveillance

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Examinations will be: • on employee request • at intervals recommended by the company physician

9d

Medical surveillance

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Examinations will have, at a minimum: • • • • medical and work histories physical examinations complete blood count tests deemed necessary by the physician

9e

Medical surveillance

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Workers may request pregnancy testing or fertility evaluation at no cost

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Related physical conditions not directly related to ethylene oxide may be included in examinations

9f

Medical surveillance

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Employees will receive a copy of the physician’s written opinion within 15 working days

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Records are kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years

9g

Hazard communication

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Signs around regulated areas must read:

10a

Hazard communication

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Report any faded or missing signs

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Labels on containers should read:

10b

Hazard communication

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Labels must have warning statements against breathing ethylene oxide

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Know where to get copies of MSDSs

10c

Copies of the regulation

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Know where to get a copy of the ethylene oxide regulation

11a