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Limited information is available on effective control measures, exposure assessments, and regulations dealing with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). However, OSHA does regulate exposures to specific chemical hazards. For additional information, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages for Chemical Hazards and Toxic Substances and Ventilation.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) is a highly controversial issue. In theory, MCS is an adverse physical reaction to low levels of many common chemicals. Chemical intolerance is generally accepted as a reaction to chemicals but debate continues as to whether MCS is classifiable as an illness. There are a number of synonyms for MCS, including 20th century disease, environmental illness, total allergy syndrome, idiopathic environmental illness, and chemical AIDS.
Silica sand is a basic component of soil, sand, and granite and can be found in many concrete and masonry products. Green roof workers may be exposed to many forms of silica dust from the cutting, grinding and drilling of these products, often used in the hard-scaping of rooftop landscapes. Silicosis is the permanent damage to the lungs caused by breathing the fine particles of crystalline silica dust. Silicosis can be debilitating and can lead to death.
Green roof workers can be exposed to many electrical hazards. Being on the roof, in many instances green roof workers often are working closer to electrical equipment and power lines on a roof surface and may be more vulnerable to those hazards than workers on the ground.
Use only equipment that is approved to meet OSHA standards.
Do not modify cords or use them incorrectly.
Use factory-assembled cord sets and only extension cords that are 3-wire type.
There is currently no surface contamination criteria or quantifications for skin absorption included in OSHA standards. However, some specific OSHA standards contain housekeeping provisions that address the issue of surface contamination. Exposures to various chemical components are addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry and construction. This section highlights OSHA standards and documents related to surface contamination.
Spray operations are addressed in specific OSHA standards for the general industry, maritime, and construction. This section highlights OSHA standards and documents related to spray operations.
There are currently no specific OSHA standards for smallpox. This section highlights OSHA standards and documents applicable to emergency response activities as a result of a bioterrorist attack. For additional information, see OSHA's Emergency Preparedness and Response Safety and Health Topics Page.
If an employee has an adverse reaction to a smallpox vaccination, the reaction is recordable if it is work related (see 29 CFR 1904.5) and meets the general recording criteria contained in
OSHA requirements for the sealant, waterproofing, and restoration industry are addressed in specific OSHA standards for construction. This section highlights OSHA standards and documents related to the sealant, waterproofing, and restoration industry.
