Does "Subpart C - Surface Preparation and Preservation" Apply to You?

Subpart C provides the scope and application which states that it applies to ship repairing and shipbuilding but does not apply to shipbreaking. It provides standards for toxic cleaning solvents, chemical paint and preservative removers, mechanical paint removers, painting and flammable liquids. Do you have operations involving cleaning solvents, chemical paint, preservative removers, mechanical paint removers, painting and/or flammable liquids? If yes, then you may need to comply with all or portions of this subpart. Click on the tabs below for more information. 

Hazardous substance means a substance which by reason of being explosive, flammable, poisonous, corrosive, oxidizing, irritant, or otherwise harmful is likely to cause injury.

Hazardous material means a material which has one or more of the following characteristics:

  • Has a flash point below 140 degrees Fahrenheit (F), closed cup, or is subject to spontaneous heating;
  • Has a threshold limit value below 500 parts per million (PPM). in the case of a gas or vapor, below 500 milligram/meter (mg./m).
  • For fumes, and below 25 millions of particles per cubic foot (MPPCF). In case of a dust; (3) has a single dose oral Lethal Dose (LD (50) below 500 milligram/kilogram (mg./kg.);
  • Is subject to polymerization with the release of large amounts of energy;
  • Is a strong oxidizing or reducing agent;
  • Causes first degree burns to skin in short time exposure, or is systemically toxic by skin contact; or
  • In the course of normal operations, may produce dusts, gases, fumes, vapors, mists, or smokes which have one or more of the above characteristics. 

Subpart C - Surface Preparation and Preservation

Tab/Accordion Items

If yes, then you need to comply with the standard on toxic cleaning solvents. It provides requirements for measures that safeguard the health of employees, threshold limit values, ventilation, respiratory protection, and personal protective equipment. It also references complying with the standard on flammable liquids when flammable solvents are used. 

Additional information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topics pages for hazard communicationrespiratory protectionorganic solventshierarchy of controls, medical services and first aidflammable liquids and personal protective equipment

 

If yes, then you need to comply with the standard on chemical paint and preservative removers. It provides requirements for eye and face protection, skin protection, face shields, and the use of steam guns.

It also requires complying with the standard on flammable liquids when using flammable paint and preservative removers and the standard on toxic cleaning solvents when using chemical paint and preservative removers which contain volatile and toxic solvents. In addition, the personal protective equipment must meet the criteria of subpart I - personal protective equipment.

Additional information can be found on the safety and health topics pages for hazard communicationrespiratory protectionorganic solventsflammable liquids, spray finishing operations and personal protective equipment

If yes, then you need to comply with the standard on mechanical paint removers. This standard provides the requirements for power tools, flame removal, personal protective equipment, and abrasive blasting. 

Additional information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topics pages for hazard communicationrespiratory protectionorganic solventsflammable liquidscompressed air and compressed air equipment and personal protective equipment

If yes, then you need to comply with the standard on painting. It includes requirements for using paints mixed with toxic solvents, use in confined spaces, ventilation requirements, use of explosion proof lights, personal protective equipment, respiratory protection, ignition hazards, having a competent person, along with grounding and bonding requirements. It also states that when flammable paints or vehicles are used, you must meet the requirements of the standard on flammable liquids. In addition, the use of respirators must meet the requirements of the respiratory protection standard.

Competent person means a person who is capable of recognizing and evaluating employee exposure to hazardous substances or to other unsafe conditions and is capable of specifying the necessary protection and precautions to be taken to ensure the safety of employees as required by the particular regulation under the condition to which it applies. 

Confined space means a compartment of small size and limited access such as a double bottom tank, cofferdam, or other space which by its small size and confined nature can readily create or aggravate a hazardous exposure.

Additional information can be found on the safety and health topics pages for confined spaceshazard communicationrespiratory protectionorganic solventsflammable liquidscompetent person, spray finishing operations and personal protective equipment

If yes, then you need to comply with the standard on flammable liquids. It has requirements pertaining to ignition hazards, competent person, ventilation, fire extinguishing equipment, use of covered metal containers, and explosion proof lights. 

Competent person means a person who is capable of recognizing and evaluating employee exposure to hazardous substances or to other unsafe conditions and is capable of specifying the necessary protection and precautions to be taken to ensure the safety of employees as required by the particular regulation under the condition to which it applies. 

Additional information can be found on the safety and health topics pages for hazard communicationrespiratory protectionorganic solventsflammable liquidscompetent person and personal protective equipment