OEH&S Chemical Safety Manual Chapter 3

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE MONITORING

In January of 1990 Cal-OSHA issued a Laboratory Standard (Lab Standard). This standard was created because Cal-OSHA realized that laboratory use of hazardous materials was quite different than industrial use. In the science laboratory, small quantities of many hazardous materials are used. The main requirement of the Lab Standard is that employers must control exposures to hazardous chemicals at safe levels established by Cal-OSHA. For laboratory workers, this standard supersedes the Hazard Communication standard. For non-laboratory University of California employees, there are Cal-OSHA exposure limits with which we must comply. The best documentation of compliance is air monitoring to evaluate employee exposure levels.

A. MONITORING REQUIREMENTS

Cal-OSHA Standards require employers to monitor hazardous materials levels in the work area if there is concern that the exposure levels may exceed recognized safety limits (see Glossary for definintion of hazardous material) . Evidence that may suggest overexposure includes symptoms of overexposure, a hazardous materials accident, or monitoring that reveals routine levels exceeding permissible exposure levels. If such monitoring indicates that overexposure occurred, the employer must reduce those levels. The employer must re monitor the hazardous levels after implementation of corrective action to make sure the problem has been abated. Occupational Exposure may include radiation, chemicals, biological, or be physical in nature. These include noise, chemical vapor, ergonomics, indoor air quality, electrical safety, radioactive waste, and others. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEH&S) performs routine air monitoring for labs using formaldehyde or other chemicals, and non-routine air monitoring upon request.

B. EMPLOYEE OPPORTUNITY FOR MEDICAL OPINION

Employers must provide employees with an opportunity to obtain a medical examination if they may have been overexposed to a hazardous chemical in the laboratory. The employer must provide this examination at no cost to the employee and at a time and place convenient for the employee. The employee and employer will be provided with the results of the exam including recommendations for follow up.

C. REGISTERED CARCINOGEN MONITORING

Cal-OSHA has also established special guidelines for workplace and employee monitoring in areas where "registered carcinogens" are used. If you use Cal-OSHA registered carcinogens, or are concerned with exposures, please contact OEH&S for baseline exposure monitoring.

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