OSHA News

OSHA Conducts Lookback Review of Methylene Chloride Standard

(July 17, 2007)-- The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced in the July 11, 2007 Federal Register they are accepting public comments on the review of its Methylene Chloride (MC) Standard 29 CFR sections 1910.1052 (62 FR 1494). In 1997, OSHA promulgated the Standard to protect
employees from occupational exposure to MC.

The notice asks the public to suggest how the Standard's applicability or requirements could be changed
or tailored to reduce the burden on employers while maintaining employee protection. OSHA is accepting comments until Oct. 9, 2007."This is a major health Standard that affects many small businesses.

Overexposure to Methylene Chloride can cause respiratory or central nervous system failure, and poses an increased risk of cancer to exposed employees." said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.

OSHA's Directorate of Evaluation and Analysis conducts retrospective reviews of final standards in accordance with the regulatory review provisions of Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601
et seq.) and Section 5 of Executive Order 12866 on Regulatory Planning and Review (58 FR 51735, 51739, October 4, 1993). These retrospective reviews are more commonly referred to as "lookback," or Section 610 reviews.

Methylene chloride has a number of uses such as metal degreasing and aircraft paint removal. It is also used to strip finishes from furniture prior to refinishing as well as in the manufacture of other chemicals.

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