Inorganic arsenic

Action level

(a) Scope and application . This section applies to all occupational exposures to inorganic arsenic except that this section does not apply to employee exposures in agriculture or resulting from pesticide application , the treatment of wood with preservatives or the utilization of arsenically preserved wood. (b) Definitions. Action level means a concentration of inorganic arsenic of 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (5 µg/m 3) averaged over any eight (8) hour period.

PEL

Department of Health and Human Services, or designee. Inorganic arsenic means copper aceto- arsenite and all inorganic compounds containing arsenic except arsine, measured as arsenic (As). (c) Permissible exposure limit . The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to inorganic arsenic at concentrations greater than 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air (10 µg/m 3), averaged over any 8-hour period.

Surveillance trigger

The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to skin or eye contact with arsenic trichloride, or to skin or eye contact with liquid or particulate inorganic arsenic which is likely to cause skin or eye irritation. (n) Medical surveillance —(1) General—(i) Employees covered. The employer shall institute a medical surveillance program for the following employees: (A) All employees who are or will be exposed above the action level, without regard to the use of respirators, at least 30 days per year; and (B) All employees who have been exposed above the action level, without regard to respirator use, for 30 days or more per year for a total of 10 years or more of combined employment with the employer or predecessor employers prior to or after the effective date of this standard.

Exam frequency

(ii) A medical examination which shall include at least the following: (A) A standard film or digital posterior-anterior chest x-ray; (B) A nasal and skin examination; and (C) Other examinations which the physician believes appropriate because of the employees exposure to inorganic arsenic or because of required respirator use. (3) Periodic examinations . (i) Examinations must be provided in accordance with paragraphs (n)(2)(i) and (n)(2)(ii)(B) and (C) of this section at least annually.

Record retention

(B) A description of the laboratory procedures and a copy of any standards or guidelines used to interpret the test results or references to that information; (C) The initial X-ray; (D) The X-rays for the most recent 5 years; and (E) Any X-rays with a demonstrated abnormality and all subsequent X-rays; (iv) The employer shall maintain or assure that the physician maintains those medical records for at least 40 years, or for the duration of employment plus 20 years whichever is longer.