CPL 2-2.6 OSHA Instruction October 30, 1978

OSHA PROGRAM DIRECTIVE #300-2

TO: Field and National Offices/OSH

SUBJECT: Inorganic Mercury and Its Compounds

1. PURPOSE

This directive provides guidelines to be followed in inspection, andwhere necessary, the issuance of citations, regarding exposure to mercury inthe workplace.

2. DOCUMENTATION AFFECTED

None

3. DOCUMENTATION REFERENCED

a. Field Operations Manual, Chapter XIII. b. OSHA StandardMethods for Sampling Total Dust, Metal Fumes, and Liquid Aerosols.

c. Guidelines for Controlling Occupational Exposure to Mercury orits Inorganic Compounds.

4. BACKGROUND

a. Chemical Data. On the following page is a table of propertiesof some commonly encountered mercury compounds. A vapor pressure curve formercury follows the table.

b. Fire, Explosion Potential, and Reactivity. Although elementalmercury presents little danger of fire or explosion, several mercurialcompounds do pose such a threat. Some organic mercurial compounds (e.g.mercury fulminate) pose a serious threat, however, they are not the concernof this directive. Among the inorganic mercurial compounds, several arereported as being physical hazards. Mercury nitride poses an explosion hazardwhen exposed to heat. Upon contact with acids or moisture, mercuric selenidereadily liberates flammable gas. Mercurous chromate, mercurous chloride,mercurous oxide, and mercury ore (cinnabar) are also reported to be flammableunder certain conditions and potential physical hazards.

c. Other relevant Information. This section is for informationpurposes only, not for compliance action.

(1) Common Processes. A brief description of the commonprocesses involved in the production, use, and handling or mercury and itsinorganic compounds is impossible due to its numerous industrialapplications. There are over 600 major industrial plants currently usingmercury in its elemental form. Listed below are several broad industrialareas in which mercury is used.

Vapor Melting Pt. Boiling Pt. Compound Appearance Pressure C C--------------------------------------------------------------------- Mercury Silver-White 1mm Hg -38.87 deg 356.58 deg (elemental) heavy,mobile, at 126.2 C Hg liquid metal--------------------------------------------------------------------- MercuryOre Bright scarlet- Sublimes (Cinnabar, red powder or at 583.5 deg Mercuric lumps; blackens Sulfide) on exposure to Hgs light---------------------------------------------------------------------Mercuric White powder 1 mm Hg 277 deg. 302 Chloride orcrystals at 136.2C HgCl2---------------------------------------------------------------------Mercurous White crystals, Sublimes Chloride or crystalline at 400 deg. HgCl2 powder; taste-

less, odorless_____________________________________________________________________

Mercurous Black to Decomposes Oxide grayish-black at 100 deg C Hg20 powder--------------------------------------------------------------------- Mercury Brown powder Explodes Nitride Hg2N2---------------------------------------------------------------------Mercurous Red needles Decomposes Chromate or powderHg2Cr04 ---------------------------------------------------------------------Mercuric Gray plates Sublimes Selenide HgSe--------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Continued From Above--------------------

Compound Weight In H20--------------------------------------------------------------------- Mercury 200.59 Insoluble (elemental) Hg--------------------------------------------------------------------- MercuryOre 232.68 10 mg/1 When ignited in (Cinnabar, at18 C air, decomposes Mercuric tometal and sulfur Sulfide) which burns toS02. HgS---------------------------------------------------------------------Mercuric 271.52 1 gm/13.5 ml Chloride HgCl2---------------------------------------------------------------------Mercurous 472.14 Practically Chloride InsolubleHg2Cl2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------Mercurous 417.22 Insoluble Moderate Oxide Hg20--------------------------------------------------------------------- Mercury 629.85 Severe explosion Nitride hazard when Hg2N2 exposedto heat.---------------------------------------------------------------------Mercurous 517.23 Moderate, by Chromate chemical reaction; Hg2Cr04 an oxidizer---------------------------------------------------------------------Mercuric 279.57 Readily liberates Selenide flammable gas upon HgSe contact with acids or moisture---------------------------------------------------------------------

For Graph entitled "Elemental Mercury Vapor Pressures at VariousTemperatures", see printed copy.

(a) Mechanical. Because mercury is a liquid at lowtemperatures with no tendency to wet glass, it is widely used in scientificinstruments such as thermometers and barometers. Mercury is also used in thepressure gauges of vacuum pumps. Potential mercury exposure is a problem notonly in the production of such instruments, but also in research institutionswhere such instruments are used extensively.

(b) Electrical. Mercury's very high level of electricalconductivity lends itself to use in electrical appliances. The principal useof mercury in this category is for batteries. Mercury is also used inrectifiers, oscillators, power control switches, and vaporlamps.

Mercuric oxide is used extensively in dry cells. Insuch a battery, the depolarizer is composed of mercuric oxide, theelectrolyte is a strongly alkaline solution of potassium hydroxide saturatedwith potassium zincate, and the anode is of zinc. In the manufacture ofthese cells, processes such as mixing, blending, and tableting of the mercurypresent potential exposure problems. The exposure may be to mercury dust orvapor.

(c) Chlorine. The chlor alkali process uses saturated andheated salt brine (25% NaCl in water) to produce Cl2 (chlorine gas), H2(hydrogen); and NaOH (sodium hydroxide) by electrolysis. The two basic celltypes are diaphragm cells and the mercury cells. Several different designsin each cell type can be found. Low-voltage, high-amperage power is used inboth types. The cells are usually hooked up in series. Diaphragm cellconstruction materials include asbestos, lead, concrete, stoneware, andpossibly fiberglass. Diaphragm cells do not contain mercury. The mercurycell uses mercury in a two-chamber system; in the first (electrolyzing)chamber, chlorine gas is produced and the sodium ion is amalgamated in themercury. In the second (denuding) chamber, hydrogen is formed when theamalgam contacts water and the sodium ions combine with the remaininghydroxyl ion (OH-) to form NaOH. The basic process reaction for theelectrolytic cells is

Na+ + Cl- + H+ + OH- -----

Na+ + 1/2Cl2 + 1/2H2 + OH-

In this process the NaOH is extremely corrosive andmercury leaks, spillage, and recovery are always a problem. As the cells ageand become inefficient, they have to be rebuilt. Rebuilding is a routineoperation in chlor alkali plants, where cells are operated in batteries oftens and even hundreds. During the rebuilding process, the cells are leveledoff, exposing the mercury surface, creating a potential exposureproblem.

(d) Paint. In the paint industry, mercury is commonly usedin its organic form. In the primary paint industry, however, mercury mayinitially be in its elemental form, even though the final product may beorganic. In such primary manufacture, there may be some potential mercuryexposure.

OSHA Instruction CPL 2-2.6 CH-1 June 3, 1985 Office of Health ComplianceAssistance

(e) Medicinals. Mercury is used primarily in dental supplyand equipment. Dentists have a variety of uses for mercury, the primary onebeing a filler for cavities. Due to mercury's use in medical equipment andsupplies, dental schools and offices and hospitals are sites of potentialexposure.

(2) Signs and Symptoms of Intoxication. Intoxication may occurin workers excessively exposed to mercury or to its compounds. The exposuremay be due to mercury vapor, mist, dust, or fume, by inhalation, ingestion,or through skin.

chronic and acute. Chronic mercury intoxication is causedby exposure to a low concentration of mercury over an extended period oftime. Acute mercury intoxication is due to a greater exposure and isunrelated to time factors. Definite symptoms of chronic mercurialism may notappear until after six months of exposure, or longer. The symptoms areprimarily of the nervous and digestive systems.

include such personality manifestations as:

irritability, excitability, or excessive timidness. Othersymptoms include: headaches, drowsiness or insomnia, and weakness. Manycases also include reports of sore mouths, excessive salivation, andperspiration. In mercury intoxication, a common symptom is a tremor which isaggravated by emotion or excitement. Also included in the literature assymptoms of mercury intoxication are: loss of appetite, weakness, digestivedisorders, kidney damage, and bleeding gums.

monitoring methods used for mercury, he or she should checkwith his Senior Industrial Hygienist. When evaluating biological symptoms,trends within groups of employees should be noted. Elevation in mercurylevels within a group is often a more significant finding than elevations inan individual because it indicates a common source.

CPL 2-2.6 OSHA Instruction October 30, 1978

Dear Sir:

The nature of work at your establishment indicates to the OccupationalSafety and Health Administration (OSHA) that mercury in various forms may beused in your manufacturing process. As you know, the present permissibleexposure limit to mercury is 1 mg/10 M3 (.1 mg/M3) expressed as atime-weighted average concentration for an 8-hour period. In order toachieve compliance with this mandatory airborne mercury level, you mustimplement feasible engineering or administrative controls or maintain aneffective respiratory protection program should such controls be foundinfeasible. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health hasrecommended that the permissible exposure limit for mercury be lowered to .05mg/M3. This recommendation is currently being considered by OSHA.

As an interim measure until such time as a complete standard is promulgatedwe are forwarding herewith recommended guidelines for protection of youremployees against the risk of illness resulting from exposure to inorganicmercury and its compounds. These recommendations involve preventive steps ofgood housekeeping, personal hygiene, medical surveillance, monitoring andmeasuring of exposure levels, employee training, and respirator informationwhich should ensure a healthful workplace for those of your employees who areinvolved in such manufacturing processes. The issuance of these guidelinesdoes not alter our intention to continue our compliance activities.

The threat of mercury poisoning is ever present if mercury and its compoundsare not treated with utmost care in the manufacturing process. Therefore,voluntary compliance with the enclosed nonmandatory guidelines would furtherthe overall objective of the Occupational Safety and Health Act - to assureso far as possible, safe and healthful working conditions.

Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. Protection of youremployees from overexposure to mercury is, I am confident, our common goal.

Bert M. Concklin Deputy Assistant Secretary

     Guidelines for Controlling Occupational Exposure to Mercury                     or Its Inorganic Compounds

In accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's(OSHA) standard for air contaminants (29 CFR 1910.1000), employee exposure toairborne mercury or its inorganic compounds shall not exceed an 8-hourtime-weighted average limit of 1 mg/10 M3 (0.1 mg/M3) or a limit set by astate agency whenever a state-administered Occupational Safety and HealthPlan is in effect. It should be emphasized that the permissible exposurelimit is a time-weighted average. The first mandatory requirement is thatemployee exposure be eliminated through the implementation of feasibleengineering controls. After all such controls are

implemented and do not fully control to permissible exposure limits, eachemployer must rotate its employees to the extent possible in order to reduceexposure. Only when all engineering or administrative controls have beenimplemented, and the level of mercury still exceeds permissible exposurelimits, may an employer rely on a respirator program pursuant to themandatory requirements of 1910.134. In addition it is mandatory that noemployee be allowed to consume food or beverages in an area exposed tomercury (29 CFR 1910.141(g)(2)). Generally, where working conditions orother practices constitute recognized hazards likely to cause death orserious physical harm, they must be corrected pursuant to Section 5(a)(1) ofthe Occupational Safety and Health Act.

In addition to these mandatory requirements, the National Institute ofOccupational Safety and Health has recommended that the limit be lowered to0.05 mg/M3; this recommendation is currently being considered by OSHA. Pending such consideration, the following recommendations are made to ensurethat employee exposure to mercury and its inorganic compounds is controlledto the permissible exposure limit.

1. MONITORING

a. Initial Evaluation Each employer who has a place of employmentin which mercury or its inorganic compounds are occupationally produced,reacted, released, packaged, repackaged, transported, stored, handled, orused should inspect each workplace and work operation to determine if anyemployee may be exposed to mercury or its inorganic compounds. Indicatorsthat an evaluation of employee exposure should be undertaken wouldinclude:

(i) Any information or observations which would indicateemployee exposure to mercury or its inorganic compounds;

(ii) Any measurement of airborne mercury vapor or the dust ofits inorganic compounds;

(iii) Any employee complaints of symptoms which may beattributable to exposure to mercury or its inorganiccompounds;

(iv) Whenever there has been a production, process, or controlchange which may result in an increase in the airborne concentration ofmercury vapor or the dust of its inorganic compounds, or whenever theemployer has any other reason to suspect an increase in the airborneconcentrations of mercury vapor or the dust of its inorganiccompounds.

b. Air Monitoring

(i) Employee exposure measurements should represent the actualbreathing zone exposure conditions for each employee. Any appropriatecombination of long-term or short-term samples would be acceptable, but allexposures should be calculated on an 8-hour time-weighted average, assuming a40-hour work week, to arrive at the permissible exposurelimit.

(ii) Accuracy of Measurement. The method of monitoring andanalysis should have an accuracy of not less than plus or minus 20% forconcentrations of airborne mercury vapor or the dust of its inorganiccompounds equal to or greater than the permissible exposure limit. (Onemethod meeting this accuracy requirement is available in the "NIOSH Manual ofAnalytical Methods," Government Printing Office Stock No. 1733-00041.) (iii)Frequency of Monitoring. Where the employer has determined that employeesare exposed to mercury or its inorganic compounds in excess of thepermissible exposure limit, monitoring should be repeatedquarterly.

2. MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE

Each employer should institute a medical surveillance program forall employees who are or will be exposed to airborne concentrations ofmercury vapor or the dust of its inorganic compounds above the permissibleexposure limit. The program should provide each employee with an opportunityfor biological monitoring and medical examination performed by or under thesupervision of a licensed physician and provided during the employee's normalworking hours without cost to the employee.

a. Medical Examination

(i) Each employer should provide a medical examination whichincludes a complete medical history and physical examination, complete bloodcount, routine urinalysis (specific gravity, sugar, protein determinations,and microscopic examination), and voluntary pregnancy test, whereappropriate, to each employee exposed to mercury or its inorganic compoundsin excess of the permissible exposure limit.

(ii) Medical examinations should also be made available:

(a) To employees prior to their assignment to areas inwhich airborne concentrations of mercury or its inorganic compounds are abovethe permissible exposure limit;

(b) At least annually for each employee exposed to airborneconcentrations of mercury or its inorganic compounds above the permissibleexposure exposure limit at any time during the preceding sixmonths;

(c) For each employee whose urine analysis sampling seriesindicates elemental mercury level at or above 0.02 mg per liter of urine ortotal mercury level in excess of .200 mg per liter of urine, which is notreceding;

(d) Immediately upon notification by the employee that theemployee has developed signs or symptoms commonly associated with toxicexposure to inorganic mercury or its compounds.

(iii) Where medical examinations are performed, the employershould provide the examining physician with the followinginformation:

(a) The reason for the medical examinationrequested;

(b) A description of the affected employee's duties as theyrelate to the employee's exposure;

(c) A description of any personal protective equipment usedor to be used;

(d) The results of the employee's exposure measurements, ifavailable;

(e) The employee's anticipated or estimated exposurelevel;

(f) The results of the employee's biological monitoring;and

(g) Upon request of the physician, information concerningprevious medical examination of the affected employee.

b. Biological Monitoring

(i) Urine sampling and analysis should be the biologicalmonitoring method used. The method of analysis for total, ionic andelemental mercury in urine is described in the American Industrial HygieneAssociation Journal, September 1974, pp. 576-580. For the analysis at least100 ml of urine should be collected during a work day when sampling isscheduled.

(ii) Accuracy of Measurement. Sample analysis should have anaccuracy to a confidence level of 95% as it pertains to the repeatability ofseveral analyses from any given urine sample.

(iii) Frequency of Monitoring

(a) If possible, a urine sample should be obtained of allemployees who will be assigned to work with mercury or its inorganiccompounds prior to exposure to the work area.

(b) For employees exposed to less than permissible levelsof airborne mercury, urine sampling and analysis should be done every sixmonths.

(c) For employees exposed to airborne mercury vapor orinorganic mercury compounds above the permissible exposure limit, urinesampling and analysis should be performed every three months for eachemployee. It should continue at least six months after the last knownexposure above the permissible exposure limit if the employee is availablefor sampling.

(d) Where the total mercury level exceeds .200 mg ofmercury per liter of urine, or 0.02 mg of elemental mercury per liter ofurine, sampling should be accelerated to a weekly basis. The activities ofthe employees should be observed to detect the potential source of mercuryintake.

(e) If the total mercury level in urine does not decreaseduring the one month sampling period, or if the elemental mercury level inurine does not decrease in two weeks, a physician should beconsulted.

           (iv) (a)  The results of employee urine sampling should                     also be considered as a group exposure by area                     of assignment and/or by job description.                     Elevated group urine mercury levels should be a                     cause for review of operational practices,                     process controls, and a change in either or both                     to reduce employee exposures.

(b) If several employee urine samples from the same area ofassignment indicate excessive elemental mercury urine levels, correctiveaction in the area should be started by the employerimmediately.

c. Physician's Written Opinion

(i) The employer should obtain and furnish the employee with awritten opinion from the examining physician containing thefollowing:

(a) The signs or symptoms of mercury exposure manifested bythe employee, if any;

(b) A laboratory report of the mercury content in blood orurine if such analysis is performed by or under the supervision of thephysician, or reported to the physician by a laboratory to which such sampleshave been submitted for analysis;

(c) The physician's opinion as to whether the employee hasany detected risk of material impairment to the employee's health fromexposure to mercury or its inorganic compounds or would directly orindirectly aggravate any detected medical condition;

(d) Any recommended limitation upon the employee's exposureto mercury or its inorganic compounds or upon the use of personal protectiveequipment and respirators; and

(e) A statement that the employee has been informed by thephysician of any medical condition which requires further examination ortreatment.

(ii) The written opinion obtained by the employer should notreveal specific findings or diagnoses unrelated to occupational exposure tomercury or its inorganic compounds.

(iii) If the employer determines, on the basis of thephysician's written opinion, that any employee's health would be materiallyimpaired by maintaining the existing exposure to mercury or its inorganiccompounds, the employer should place specific limitations, based on thephysician's written opinion, on the employee's continued exposure to mercuryor its inorganic compounds.

3. TRAINING

a. Each employer who has a workplace in which elemental mercury orits inorganic compounds are stored and used occasionally in small quantities,and where airborne mists, fumes, vapors, or dusts may be accidentally orintentionally produced and released in the work environment due to handling,storage, or use should:

(i) Inform employees who work or will be working with mercury orits inorganic compounds occasionally of potential healthhazards;

(ii) Inform employees of the correct work and storage practices,written emergency procedures to be followed in case of spills or leaks, andpersonal protective equipment necessary in emergencies;

(iii) Provide equipment and/or materials necessary to controlmercury-containing spills or leaks in quantity sufficient to control theentire amount of mercury or compound used;

(iv) Provide written procedures and means for removal of mercuryor its compounds from body surfaces and working surfaces, machinery, or toolsto be used later for other work activities;

(v) Establish limited areas within the workplace where mercuryor its compounds can be used;

(vi) Inform and local fire department of the exact location ofstorage and the hazards in case of fire;

(vii) Assure that the permissible exposure limit is not exceededin the work environment during the occasional uses.

b. A training program for all new employees prior to workassignment and for all affected employees at least annually should beprovided by employers:

(i) Who have a workplace in which mercury metal, its vapors,fumes, solutions, or inorganic mercury compound dusts, mists, solutions orvapors are routinely produced, reacted, used, stored, handled in the openwork environment, and where the possibility of exceeding the permissibleexposure limit exists; or (ii) Whose employees may have the opportunity forroutine significant contacts with mercury metal or its inorganic compounds assolutions, dusts, or mists because such materials are the ingredients orbyproducts of a handling, use, or production process.

c. The training program should:

(i) Advise affected employees of the signs and symptoms ofover-exposure to mercury;

(ii) Instruct affected employees to advise the employer of thedevelopment of the signs and symptoms of overexposure tomercury;

(iii) Inform employees of the specific nature of operationswhich could result in exposure to mercury above the permissible exposurelimit, as well as safe work practices for the handling, use, release,storage, or disposal of the mercury or its compounds in normaloperations;

(iv) Instruct employees in proper housekeeping practices,decontamination procedures in the event of a mercury or mercury compoundspill, and fire emergency procedures;

(v) Emphasize the possibility of ingesting mercury byhand-to-mouth contact when good personal hygiene is notpracticed;

(vi) Inform employees of measures necessary to protect them fromexposures in excess of the permissible exposure limit. The wearing andturning-in of protective clothing should be stressed;

(vii) Instruct employees as to the purpose, proper use, andlimitations of respirators;

(viii) Provide employees with a description of, and explain thepurposes for, the medical surveillance program;

(ix) Inform employees where written procedures and hazardinformation are available on the premises.

4. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

a. Where respirators are required under 1910.1000(e) and 1910.134,the employer should select and provide an appropriate respirator from thetable below.

b. Recommendations for Respirator Usage at Mercury ConcentrationsAbove Permissible Exposure Limit

-----------------------------------------------------------

| Airborne Concentration | | | of Mercury | Recommended Respirator |----------------------------------------------------------- | 1. Fume, dust,vapor | (A) A type C supplied-air | | or mist in excess | respirator with a full | | of 5 mg/M3 | facepieceoperated in | | | pressure-demand or other || | positive pressure mode, | | | or | | | (B) Aself-contained breathing| | | apparatus with afull | | | facepiece operated in | | | pressure-demand or other | | | positive pressure mode. | | | | | 2. Fume, dust, vapor | (A) A type C supplied-air || or mist less than | respirator with a full | | 5 mg/M3 | facepiece operated in | | | pressure-demand or other | | | positive pressuremode, | | | or | | | (B) A self-contained breathing| | | apparatus with a full | | | facepieceoperated in | | | pressure-demand or other || | positive pressure mode, | | | or | | | (C)Cartridge type respirator,| | | when approved(TC) and | | | available. |-----------------------------------------------------------

c. Only those respiratory protection devices which have beenapproved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health underthe provisions of 30 CFR Part 11 should be used.

d. There should be an established in-plant procedure and means andfacilities provided to issue respiratory protective equipment, to return usedcontaminated equipment, to decontaminate and disinfect the equipment, and torepair or exchange damaged equipment. Record keeping of these activitiesshould be considered, especially on recharge of self-contained breathingapparatus air cylinders.

5. PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

a. Where protective clothing is required under 1910.132, theemployer should provide and ensure that employees wear appropriate, clean,protective clothing, such as, but not limited to, coveralls, smocks, aprons,gloves, shoes, hair covers or hats, in the following situations:

(i) Where employees may be exposed to concentrations of mercuryabove the permissible exposure limit; or

(ii) Where the skin, hair, or clothing of employees may haverepeated contact with accumulations of mercury fume, dust, mist, orsolutions.

b. The employer should launder, maintain, and/or dispose of allcontaminated personal clothing discarded by employees.

c. The removal of mercury fume or dust from protective clothing byblowing or shaking should be prohibited.

d. The employer should ensure that all protective clothing isremoved in change rooms and deposited in marked laundry bags.

e. The employer should inform any person who launders or cleansmercury-contaminated protective clothing of the potentially harmful effectsof exposure to mercury and of precautions to take, such as not airing orshaking the clothing to remove mercury fume or dust.

f. Street clothing and street footwear should not be permitted inthe workplace whenever airborne mercury concentrations exceed the permissibleexposure limit or potential contacts with mercury or its inorganic compoundsexist. Contaminated clothing or footwear should not leave the plant except inpackages for laundering, decontamination, or disposal.

g. Employees who work with elemental mercury should turn in allprotective clothing used after each shift of use.

h. If protective clothing and plant footwear is provided for alonger period of use, they should be stored separately from personal streetclothing, street footwear, food, tobacco products, and other personaleffects.

6. HOUSEKEEPING

a. All exposed surfaces should be maintained free of accumulationof mercury which, if dispersed, would result in airborne concentrations inexcess of the permissible exposure limit or in a visible dustcloud.

b. Dry sweeping and the use of compressed air for the cleaning offloors and other surfaces should be prohibited. If vacuuming is used, theexhaust air should be properly filtered to prevent generation of airbornemercury concentrations.

c. Persons not wearing respiratory protective equipment should beexcluded from areas where spills or leaks of mercury or inorganic mercurycompounds have occurred until cleanup has been completed.

d. All hand contact points (such as tools, door knobs, table tops,etc.) should be maintained free of mercury contamination. If this isimpossible, gloves should be provided.

e. Carpeting should not be used anywhere within the workplace.Doormats should be treated as mercury-contaminated objects.

f. Used industrial wipe rags, floor cleaning mops, or paper towelsused on mercury contaminated surfaces should be treated as potentiallycontaminated. They should not be rehandled, reused, compressed and stuffed,or dried on in-plant uncontrolled heaters.

7. PERSONAL HYGIENE FACILITIES AND PRACTICES

a. All food, beverages, tobacco products, nonfood chewingproducts, and unapplied cosmetics should be prohibited in areas where thereis a likelihood that skin or clothing may come in contact with fume, dust,mist, or solutions of mercury or where the airborne concentrations of mercuryare above the permissible exposure limit. See the mandatory portion (page 1)of this Guideline.

b. The employer should ensure that employees or visitors who workin or need access to areas specified in paragraph 5.a. wash their hands,forearms, face, and neck before each occasion of eating, drinking, smoking,or applying cosmetics and at the end of each work shift. All other employeesshould be encouraged in this practice.

c. Employers should provide an adequate number of lavatories,maintained and provided with soap, hand brushes, and towels. Employeesshould be instructed in using the handbrushes on fingernails submerged inwashwater. Used paper or fabric towels should be considered and treated ascontaminated.

d. Where employees wear protective clothing or equipment, or both,change rooms shall be provided in accordance with 1910.141(e).

e. Rings, watches, wallets, combs, and other personal itemsusually carried on a person should not be brought in contact with mercury orits compounds if at all possible. The frames of safety glasses or personalglasses should be carefully cleaned after each shift of work.

f. Contact lenses should not be used in areas where eyes may beexposed to vapors, dusts, or mists containing mercury.