Health Hazards Special Emphasis Program
The North Carolina Special Emphasis Programs (SEPs) are part of the NC OSH Division's five year strategic management plan for which its two principal goals are: 1) to reduce the state's workplace fatality rate by at least 2%; and 2) to reduce the state's non-fatal injury and illness rate by at least 5%. For each SEP that applies to a specific industrial sector, similar goals for reducing the fatality rate and/or non-fatal injury and illness rate are applied.
SEP: Occupational Exposure to Health Hazards
What are the goals of the health hazards special emphasis program (SEP)?
- Conduct emphasis inspection, training and consultation activity in establishments where employees might be exposed to health hazards such as lead, silica, asbestos, hexavalent chromium and isocyanates.
What industries are covered by this SEP?
- General industry establishments and construction worksites where employees may be exposed to one or more of the following substances:
- Beryllium
- Hexavalent chromium - Cr(VI)
- Isocyanates, including diisocyanates
- Lead
- Silica, respirable crystalline
What are the principal hazard categories on which this SEP is focused?
Injuries and illnesses attributed to the substances covered by this SEP are the result of one or more of the following health effects:
- Eye and skin irritation
- Eye and skin corrosion
- Chemical hypersensitization
- Acute toxicity
- Chronic toxicity
- Carcinogenicity
What regulations apply to this SEP?
OSH has adopted the following regulations that govern the requirements for protection against the hazards associated with occupational exposure to health hazards. 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 Subpart I - personal protective equipment
- 29 CFR 1910.132 - general requirements
- 29 CFR 1910.133 - eye and face protection
- 29 CFR 1910.134 - respiratory protection
- 29 CFR 1910.138 - hand protection
- 29 CFR 1910.151 - medical services and first aid
- 29 CFR 1910.1000 - air contaminants
- 29 CFR 1910.1024 - beryllium
- 29 CFR 1910.1025 - inorganic lead
- 29 CFR 1910.1026 - hexavalent chromium
- 29 CFR 1910.1053 - respirable crystalline silica
- 29 CFR 1910.1200 - hazard communication
- 29 CFR 1910.1450 - occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories
Construction
- 29 CFR 1926 Subpart E - personal protective and life saving equipment
- 29 CFR 1926.95 - criteria for personal protective equipment
- 29 CFR 1926.102 - eye and face protection
- 29 CFR 1926.103 (29 CFR 1910.134) - respiratory protection
- 29 CFR 1926.50 - medical services and first aid
- 29 CFR 1926.55 - gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
- 29 CFR 1926.59 (29 CFR 1910.1200) - hazard communication
- 29 CFR 1926.62 - lead
- 29 CFR 1926.1124 - beryllium
- 29 CFR 1926.1126 - hexavalent chromium
- 29 CFR 1926.1153 - respirable crystalline silica
Maritime, Shipyard Employment
- 29 CFR 1915.1024 - beryllium
General Duty Clause
- NCGS 95-129(1) - General Duty Clause
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 about this SEP?
Compliance Documents
- Operational Procedure Notice: OPN 135, Special Emphasis Programs for Health Hazards, describes the conduct of inspections and associated activities under this SEP.
- OSHA Technical Manual (TED 01-00-015) provides technical information about workplace hazards and controls to OSHA’s Compliance Safety and Health Officers.
Training and Outreach
- Health Hazards Special Emphasis Program webinar presentation provides an overview of this SEP.
- Health Hazards Special Emphasis Program presentation provides an overview of this SEP.