Organic Solvents

A solvent is a substance that is capable of dissolving or dispersing other substances. An organic solvent is a carbon-based solvent for which the class of compound (type and arrangement of other atoms present) can determine what substances will dissolve in it.

Organic Solvents

Tab/Accordion Items

What are the hazards associated with organic solvents?

Because organic solvents are carbon-based, many of them are highly flammable. In addition, several solvents have been determined to be health hazards including, but not limited to, carcinogens (e.g., benzene, formaldehyde), reproductive hazards (e.g., 2-ethoxyethanol, 2-butoxyethanol) and neurotoxins (e.g., n-hexane, chloroform, methylene chloride). Other health hazards associated with the use of organic solvents include dermatitis.

 

What can I do to protect myself?

Review the safety data sheet for any organic solvent chosen to become familiar with its physical and health hazards. Use organic solvents only with adequate ventilation and away from any ignition sources. Be sure to use appropriate personal protective equipment, especially gloves, when transferring organic solvents from one container to another.

What resources are available to assist employers?

Safety and Health Programs

These example programs, hazard communication, respiratory protection, hazardous chemical program, chemical hygiene plan, HAZWOPER program (General Industry and Construction) and PPE and hazard analysis can assist the employer in the development of their programs. Other example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions. 

Training and Outreach Services

The presentations on hazard communication, respiratory protection and personal protective equipment are available to assist employers in training their staff. Each of 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 (streaming video services) and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC). 

Safety and Health Topics

The safety and health topics page on 1-bromopropane,  dipping and coating,  flammable liquids, hazard communication, hierarchy of controls, laboratory safety, personal protective equipment, hazardous waste operations and emergency response, medical services and first aid, chemical hazards and toxic substances and respiratory protection can provide additional 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 which are applicable to organic solvents 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

Maritime, Shipyard Employment

Construction

Other standards associated with employee exposure to organic solvents include:

General Industry

Construction

Recordkeeping

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?

Industry Guides

Compliance Documents

The following compliance directives establish the enforcement policy and provide an explanation of the standards with which they are associated:

  • Compliance Directive - CPL 02-01-065 - Process Safety Management (PSM) of Highly Hazardous Chemicals, establishes enforcement policy and provides an explanation of the standard to ensure uniform enforcement.
  • CPL 02-02-070 - inspection procedures for occupational exposure to methylene chloride, establishes policies and provides clarification to ensure uniform inspection procedures are followed when conducting inspections to enforce the Methylene Chloride Standard.
  • CPL 02-02-073 - inspection procedures for 29 CFR 1910.120 & 1926.65, paragraph (q): emergency response to hazardous substances releases, updates policies and provides clarification to ensure uniform enforcement of paragraph (q) of the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZWOPER), 29 CFR 1910.120 and 1926.65, which covers emergency response operations for releases of, or substantial threats of releases of, hazardous substances without regard to the location of the hazard.
  • CPL 02-02-079 - inspection procedures for the hazard communication standard (HCS 2012), applies to enforcement procedures related to the requirements of the hazard communication standard.
  • CPL 03-00-021 - process safety management (PSM) covered facilities, describes a National Emphasis Program for inspecting all facilities with highly hazardous chemicals in amounts at or above the threshold quantities listed in 29 CFR 1910.119 - process safety management of highly hazardous materials.
  • Field Operations Manual (FOM) Chapter XV - Industrial Hygiene Compliance provides guidance on industrial hygiene procedures. 
  • Compliance Directive: CPL 02-00-124 - Multi-Employer Citation Policy provides guidance to Compliance Officers regarding the issuance of citations for employers who exercise control in creating, controlling, exposing and correcting hazards for their employees and those of other employers on site.
  • OSHA Technical Manual (TED 01-00-015) provides technical information about workplace hazards and controls to OSHA’s Compliance Safety and Health Officers.

Technical Assistance

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