Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CHEMICAL

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The %% employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazard of overexposure to xylene during spray painting operations and adequate engineering and/or administrative controls were not implemented to reduce airborne concentrations of xylene: (a) Veazie Street School Jobsite: One employee doing spray painting was exposed to xylene at concentrations of 655 ppm over 35 minutes and 325 ppm over 17 minutes; another employee working as an assistant was exposed to a xylene level of 386 ppm over a 40 minute period. These levels are in excess of the 150 ppm short-term exposure limit recognized as the level not to be exceeded to prevent adverse health effects. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable engineering and/or administrative controls to correct this hazard include but are not limited to: 1. Utilize a properly designed and adequate exhaust ventilation system. 2. Substitution of product with a less hazardous alternative. 3. Utilize other paint application methods such as rollers.