Chemical Hazards and Toxic Substances

What are the hazards associated with chemicals and toxic substances?

Failure of the employer to inform employees about the hazards of chemicals in the workplace can result in property damage, serious physical harm and death. Exposure to chemicals can cause irritation, sensitization, dermatitis, burns, and other serious health effects including cancer. Additionally, chemicals can cause physical hazards such as flammability, corrosion and explosibility.  

What can I do to protect myself?

Before using any chemical, information on the label and accompanying information (e.g., safety data sheets) should be consulted in order to identify any personal protective equipment necessary to prevent direct contact through inhalation, splash or spatter to eyes, nose or mouth, or skin contact.

What resources are available to assist employers?

Safety and Health Programs

These example programs, hazard communication program, respiratory protection, and PPE and hazard analysis can assist the employer with their hazard communication program and identifying the appropriate personal protective equipment required in the workplace. Other example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions. 

Training and Outreach Services

Presentations on hazard communication, respiratory protection, and personal protective equipment (general industry and construction) can assist employers in training their staff.  These presentations should be modified to address site-specific conditions and hazards. Other example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time. 

In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request. 

Lastly, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos (including streaming video services) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).

Safety and Health Topics

More related information can be found on the safety and health topic pages for medical services and first aid, hazard communication, respiratory protection, eyewash stations and emergency showers, hierarchy of controls, ventilation and personal protective equipment can provide more resource information. 

Consultation Services

The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.

Which standards apply?

OSH has adopted the following standards for chemical hazards and toxic substances in North Carolina. This is not all inclusive.

Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic.

General Industry

• 29 CFR 1910.1200 - hazard communication
• 29 CFR 1910 Subpart Z - toxic and hazardous substances

Other applicable general industry standards that may apply:

• 29 CFR 1910.132 - personal protective equipment, general requirements
• 29 CFR 1910.133 - eye and face protection
• 29 CFR 1910.134 - respiratory protection
• 29 CFR 1910.138 - hand protection

Maritime, Shipyard Employment

• 29 CFR 1915.1200 - hazard communication
• 29 CFR 1915 Subpart Z - toxic and hazardous substances

Other applicable maritime standards that may apply:

• 29 CFR 1915.152 - personal protective equipment - general requirements
• 29 CFR 1915.153 - eye and face protection
• 29 CFR 1915.154 - respiratory protection

Maritime, Marine Terminals

• 29 CFR 1917.1(a)(2)(vi) - hazard communication
• 29 CFR 1917.1(a)(2)(xii) - toxic and hazardous substances
• 29 CFR 1917.91 - eye and face protection
• 29 CFR 1917.1(a)(2)(x) - respiratory protection
• 29 CFR 1917.23 - hazardous atmospheres and substances
• 29 CFR 1917.24 - carbon monoxide
• 29 CFR 1917.25 - fumigants, pesticides, insecticides and hazardous preservatives

Construction

• 29 CFR 1926.59 - hazard communication
• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart D - occupational health and environmental controls
• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart Z - toxic and hazardous substances

Other applicable construction standards that may apply:

• 29 CFR 1926.28 - personal protective equipment
• 29 CFR 1926.95 - criteria for personal protective equipment
• 29 CFR 1926.102 - eye and face protection
• 29 CFR 1926.103 - respiratory protection

Agriculture

• 29 CFR 1928.21(a)(2) - storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia
• 29 CFR 1928.21(a)(5) - hazard communication
• 29 CFR 1928.1027 - cadmium

Recordkeeping

• Refer to Recording and Reporting

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can also help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.

Where can I learn more?

Compliance Documents

• Compliance Directive CPL 02-02-079 - Inspection Procedures for the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012) provides guidance for inspections related to hazard communication. 
• Field Operations Manual Chapter 15 - Industrial Hygiene Compliance provides citation guidance for health hazards. 
• CFR 117 - Air Contaminants provides the promulgation of changes to the rule.
• Standards Notice: SN 38 - Eye and Face Protection for Chemical Use provides guidance for the selection of proper PPE for eye and face protection when working with chemicals.
• Standards Notice: SN 70 - Revised ASTM Standards for Foot Protection clarifies that the OSH Division will accept foot protection designed to ASTM standards.
• CFR 128 - Personal Protective Equipment for General Industry; Final Rule provides the promulgation for the rule.
• Compliance Directive: CPL 02-00-158, Inspection Procedures for the Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134 establishes an enforcement policy and provides an explanation of the standard to ensure uniform enforcement.
• Standards Notice: SN 55 - Facial Hair and Respirator Use provides interpretive guidance regarding the OSH Division enforcement of the use of respirators when facial hair is present.
• Standards Notice: SN 63 Requirements for Workers Who Are Actively Conducting Operations in IDLH Atmospheres discusses the requirements for workers conducting operations in atmospheres classified as being immediately dangerous to life and health.
• Standards Notice: SN 68 - Use of Non-NIOSH Approved Respirators for Voluntary Use provides interpretive guidance regarding the OSH Division enforcement of voluntary use of non-NIOSH approved respirators.
• OSHA Technical Manual (TED 01-00-015) provides technical information about workplace hazards and controls to OSHA’s Compliance Safety and Health Officers.
• A compliance memo - Clarification to CPL 02-02-079, Inspection Procedures for the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012), clarifies several issues raised regarding compliance directive CPL 02-02-079 and which will be included in the next revision of this directive.

Industry Guides

• Industry Guide 48 - OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, includes requirements for chemical hazards and toxic substances along with many other construction industry standards.
• Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, includes requirements for chemical hazards and toxic substances along with many other general industry standards.
• Industry Guide 50 - OSHA Agriculture Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training includes requirements for chemical hazards and toxic substances along with other agriculture standards.
• Industry Guide 53 - OSHA Shipyard Employment Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, highlights the requirements of standards for chemical hazards and toxic substances in shipyard employment.
• Industry Guide 54 - Marine Terminals Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, highlights the requirements of standards for chemical hazards and toxic substances at marine terminals. 

Technical Assistance

• Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.