Scope: This standard provides the requirements pertaining to toxic cleaning solvents.

Special Requirements: Measures, respiratory protection, precautions, references other standards

1915.32(a) - When toxic solvents are used, the employer shall employ one or more of the following measures to safeguard the health of employees exposed to these solvents. [Reference paragraph (a)(1) - (3)].

• 1915.32(a)(3) - Employees shall be protected against toxic vapors by suitable respiratory protective equipment in accordance with the requirements of Subpart I - personal protective equipment, of this Part and, where necessary, against exposure of skin and eye contact with toxic solvents and their vapors by suitable clothing and equipment.

1915.32(b) - The principles in the threshold limit values to which attention is directed in § 1915.4 - definitions, will be used by the Department of Labor in enforcement proceedings in defining a safe concentration of air contaminants.

1915.32(c) - When flammable solvents are used, precautions shall be taken in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.36 - flammable liquids.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for chemical paint and preservative removers.

Special Requirements: PPE, precautions, references other standards

1915.33(a) - Employees shall be protected against skin contact during the handling and application of chemical paint and preservative removers and shall be protected against eye injury by goggles or face shields in accordance with the requirements of Subpart I - personal protective equipment, of this part.

1915.33(b) - When using flammable paint and preservative removers, precautions shall be taken in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.36 - flammable liquids.

1915.33(c) - When using chemical paint and preservative removers which contain volatile and toxic solvents, such as benzol, acetone and amyl acetate, the provisions of § 1915.32 - toxic and cleaning solvents, shall be applicable.

1915.33(d) - When using paint and rust removers containing strong acids or alkalies, employees shall be protected by suitable face shields to prevent chemical burns on the face and neck.

1915.33(e) - When steam guns are used, all employees working within range of the blast shall be protected by suitable face shields. Metal parts of the steam gun itself shall be insulated to protect the operator against heat burns.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for mechanical paint removers.

Special Requirements: PPE, respiratory protection, signals, references other standards

1915.34(a) - Power tools. [Reference paragraph (a)(1) - (4)].

• 1915.34(a)(1) - Employees engaged in the removal of paints, preservatives, rusts, or other coatings by means of power tools shall be protected against eye injury by using goggles or face shields in accordance with the requirements of Subpart I - personal protective equipment of this part.
• 1915.34(a)(3) - Portable electric tools shall be grounded in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.132 - portable electric tools.
• 1915.34(a)(4) - In a confined space, mechanical exhaust ventilation sufficient to keep the dust concentration to a minimum shall be used, or employees shall be protected by respiratory protective equipment in accordance with the requirements of Subpart I - personal protective equipment  of this part.

1915.34(b) - Flame removal.

• 1915.34(b)(1) - Hardened preservative coatings shall not be removed by flame in enclosed spaces unless the employees exposed to fumes are protected by air line respirators in accordance with the requirements of Subpart I - personal protective equipment . Employees performing such an operation in the open air, and those exposed to the resulting fumes shall be protected by a fume filter type respirator in accordance with the requirements of Subpart I - personal protective equipment of this part.

1915.34(c)(1)(iv) - Dead man control. A dead man control device shall be provided at the nozzle end of the blasting hose either to provide direct cutoff or to signal the pot tender by means of a visual and audible signal to cut off the flow, in the event the blaster loses control of the hose. The pot tender shall be available at all times to respond immediately to the signal.

1915.34(c)(3) - Personal protective equipment. [Reference paragraph (c)(3)(i) - (v)].

Scope: This standard provides the requirements pertaining to paint.

Special Requirements: PPE, respirators, tests, determination, precautions, competent person, approved, MSHA, reference other standards

1915.35(a) - Paints mixed with toxic vehicles or solvents.

• 1915.35(a)(1) - When paints mixed with toxic vehicles or solvents are sprayed, the following conditions shall apply:
  • 1915.35(a)(1)(i) - In confined spaces, employees continuously exposed to such spraying shall be protected by air line respirators in accordance with the requirements of Subpart I - personal protective equipment of this part.
  • 1915.35(a)(1)(ii) - In tanks or compartments, employees continuously exposed to such spraying shall be protected by air line respirators in accordance with the requirements of Subpart I - personal protective equipment. Where mechanical ventilation is provided, employees shall be protected by respirators in accordance with the requirements of Subpart I - personal protective equipment of this part.
  • 1915.35(a)(1)(iii) - In large and well ventilated areas, employees exposed to such spraying shall be protected by respirators in accordance with the requirements of Subpart I - personal protective equipment of this part.
• 1915.35(a)(2) - Where brush application of paints with toxic solvents is done in confined spaces or in other areas where lack of ventilation creates a hazard, employees shall be protected by filter respirators in accordance with the requirements of Subpart I - personal protective equipment of this part.
• 1915.35(a)(3) - When flammable paints or vehicles are used, precautions shall be taken in accordance with the requirements of § 1915.36 - flammable liquids.

1915.35(b) - Paints and tank coatings dissolved in highly volatile, toxic and flammable solvents. Several organic coatings, adhesives and resins are dissolved in highly toxic, flammable and explosive solvents with flash points below 80 °F. Work involving such materials shall be done only when all of the following special precautions have been taken: [Reference paragraph (b)(1) - (14)].

• 1915.35(b)(1) - Sufficient exhaust ventilation shall be provided to keep the concentration of solvent vapors below ten (10) percent of the lower explosive limit. Frequent tests shall be made by a competent person to ascertain the concentration.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for flammable liquids. 

Special Requirements: Precautions, competent person, inspect, tests, fire extinguishing equipment, approved, UL, MSHA/USCG, references other standards

1915.36(a) - In all cases when liquid solvents, paint and preservative removers, paints or vehicles, other than those covered by § 1915.35(b) - painting, are capable of producing a flammable atmosphere under the conditions of use, the following precautions shall be taken: [Reference paragraph (a)(1) - (6)].

• 1915.36(a)(2) - Ventilation shall be provided in sufficient quantities to keep the concentration of vapors below ten (10) percent of their lower explosive limit. Frequent tests shall be made by a competent person to ascertain the concentration.
• 1915.36(a)(4) - Only explosion proof lights, approved by the Underwriters' Laboratories for use in Class I, Group D atmospheres, or approved as permissible by the Mine Safety and Health Administration or the U.S. Coast Guard, shall be used.
• 1915.36(a)(5) - A competent person shall inspect all power and lighting cables to ensure that the insulation is in excellent condition, free of all cracks and worn spots, that there are no connections within fifty (50) feet of the operation, that lines are not overloaded, and that they are suspended with sufficient slack to prevent undue stress or chafing.
• 1915.36(a)(6) - Suitable fire extinguishing equipment shall be immediately available in the work area and shall be maintained in a state of readiness for instant use.