1910 Subpart H - Hazardous Materials

1910.120, Hazardous waste operations and emergency response. A spill or other uncontrolled release of liquids containing toluene in the workplace may be considered an emergency triggering the requirements of the HAZWOPER standard. These requirements would include an emergency response plan including training for responders, personal protective equipment and medical surveillance.

1910 Subpart I - Personal Protective Equipment

1910.132, General requirements. The employer is required to conduct a formal assessment in writing of personal protective equipment needs, such as gloves for skin contact and respirators for inhalation, where employees may come in contact with liquids containing toluene. Where indicated, the employer must provide the equipment at no cost to employees, and train employees in the use and limitations of the equipment.

1910.134, Respiratory protection. Where an employer requires respirators to protect against inhalation of toluene, the standard specifies selection of respirators, fit testing, medical surveillance and evaluation of effectiveness. Only NIOSH approved canister type air purifying respirators or air supplied respirators are effective against toluene vapors. Where respirators are provided for voluntary use, or employees chose to provide their own respirators, employers are required to provide information on safe use. [Appendix D]

1910 Subpart J - General Environmental Controls

1910.146, Permit-required confined spaces. The presence, use and evaporation of liquids containing toluene in a confined space may create an atmospheric hazard which would make the space permit required. Employers are required to evaluate the hazard, and institute a program of training, ventilation, stand by and pre-entry air testing.

1910 Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances

1910.1000, Air contaminants.

1910.1000 TABLE Z-2, TABLE Z-2. The Permissible Exposure Limit for toluene is 200 ppm 8-hour time weighted average, with an acceptable ceiling concentration of 300 ppm and an acceptable peak over the ceiling concentration of 500 ppm over 10 minutes.

1910.1020, Access to employee exposure and medical records. Employers must provide employees and employee representatives copies of air sample results and safety data sheets on request. Employers must inform employees at least annually of the existence of such records and how they may be obtained.

1910.1200, Hazard Communication. The employer must inform employees of the location and how to obtain a safety data sheet for any material containing more than 1% toluene. The employer must provide employees training about toluene if it is used in their work area. The training must include how to detect the presence or release of toluene in the work area, health effects of toluene, and the protective measures in place.

1910.94, Ventilation. Specifies construction, capture velocities and ventilation volumes for spray finishing operations, such as those in which toluene might be used.

1910.107, Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials. Detailed requirements for construction and maintenance of spray finishing and equipment largely related to fire protection.

1926 Subpart D - Occupational Health and Environmental Controls

1926.57, Ventilation. Specifies construction, capture velocities and ventilation volumes for spray finishing operations, such as those in which toluene might be used in construction, renovation and remodeling activities.

1926.65, Hazardous waste operations and emergency response.

1926.66, Criteria for design and construction of spray booths.

1926 Subpart E - Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment

1926.103, Respiratory protection.

1926 Subpart F - Fire Protection and Prevention

1926.152, Flammable liquids. The quantity of flammable or combustible liquids kept in the vicinity of spraying operations should be kept at a minimum and should not exceed a supply for one day or one shift.

1926 Subpart I - Tools - Hand and Power

1926.302, Power-operated hand tools.

1926 Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances