Rynek pracy i bezpieczeństwo · 04/05/1998

Methylene Chloride; Notice of Motion for Reconsideration; Proposed Rule

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has received a motion for reconsideration of certain provisions of its standard regulating occupational exposure to methylene chloride (MC), 62 FR 1494 (Jan. 10, 1997). The motion, filed jointly by the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, UAW, the Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance, Inc., and others asks OSHA to amend the methylene chloride standard by adding to the medical surveillance provisions of the standard a provision for temporary medical removal protection benefits for employees who are temporarily removed or transferred to another job because of a medical determination that exposure to methylene chloride may aggravate or contribute to the employee's existing skin, heart, liver, or neurological disease; and modifying certain startup dates for employers in certain identified application groups, i.e., who use MC in certain work operations. The standard currently requires employers with fewer than 20 employees to complete installation of engineering controls by April 10, 2000 and larger employers to do so by earlier dates. The motion asks that the April 10,