Arsenic

Arsenic: Poison of Kings or King of Poisons?

In 2017, 377 occupational injuries or illnesses were a result of exposure to chemicals or chemical products.  Arsenic has been used for centuries in a variety of industries from wood preservation and agriculture, to glass manufacturing, and the medical field.  Arsenic has been so prevalent in general industry that 1,149 of 1,684 current or former sites on the EPA’s National Priorities List are there due to arsenic and other chemicals.  

When dealing with a chemical that’s known to cause respiratory and nervous system issues as well as cancer it’s important to formulate a plan that keeps you and your employees safe.   Good news, SafetyPlans.com does just that!

• [1910.1018(b)] – Definitions when dealing with Arsenic
• [1910.1018(e)] – Exposure Monitoring
• [1910.1018(g)(2)] – Employer’s Responsibility – Compliance Program
• [1910.1018(p)(1)] – Hazard Communication
• [1910.1018(n)] – Medical Monitoring

Does the Inorganic Arsenic standard apply to me?

Depending on the industry you work on, it’s very possible!  Under OSHA’s General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act) employers are responsible for protecting their employees from recognized hazards that cause, or are likely to cause, death or serious physical harm.

More from OSHA's website:

Inorganic Arsenic Standard (29 CRF 1910.1018) is a regulation that prescribes safeguards to protect workers against health hazards related to inorganic Arsenic. It has provisions for exposure control plans, engineering and work practice controls, hazard communication and training, and recordkeeping. The standard imposes requirements on employers of workers who may be exposed to inorganic arsenic.