Subpart G - Occupational Health and Environmental Controls
Subpart G provides the ventilation standard for operations involving abrasive blasting, grinding, polishing, buffing and spray finishing and also the standards for noise and non-ionizing radiation exposures in the workplace.
To learn if subpart G applies to you, go to Does "Subpart G - Occupational Health and Environmental Control" Apply to You?
Special Requirements
Scope: This standard covers three operations: paragraph (a) - abrasive blasting; paragraph (b) - grinding, polishing and buffing; and paragraph (c) - spray finishing.
Special Requirements: Inspections, respiratory protection program, operational procedures, references other standards
1910.94(a)(3)(i)(e) - Slit abrasive-resistant baffles shall be installed in multiple sets at all small access openings where dust might escape, and shall be inspected regularly and replaced when needed.
1910.94(a)(4)(i) - The construction, installation, inspection, and maintenance of exhaust systems shall conform to the principles and requirements set forth in American National Standard Fundamentals Governing the Design and Operation of Local Exhaust Systems, Z9.2-1960, and ANSI Z33.1-1961, which is incorporated by reference as specified in 1910.6 - incorporation by reference..
1910.94(a)(5)(iv) - For employees who use respirators required by this section, the employer must implement a respiratory protection program in accordance with 1910.134.
1910.94(a)(7) - Operational procedures and general safety. Dust shall not be permitted to accumulate on the floor or on ledges outside of an abrasive-blasting enclosure, and dust spills shall be cleaned up promptly. Aisles and walkways shall be kept clear of steel shot or similar abrasive which may create a slipping hazard.
1910.94(c)(3)(iii)(a) - Overspray filters shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the requirements of 1910.107(b)(5) - Spray finishing using flammable and combustible materials, and shall only be in a location easily accessible for inspection, cleaning, or replacement.
1910.94(c)(5)(iii)(e) - Inspection or clean-out doors shall be provided for every 9 to 12 feet of running length for ducts up to 12 inches in diameter, but the distance between cleanout doors may be greater for larger pipes. A clean-out door or doors shall be provided for servicing the fan, and where necessary, a drain shall be provided.
Abrasive. A solid substance used in an abrasive blasting operation.
Particulate-filter respirator. An air purifying respirator, commonly referred to as a dust or a fume respirator, which removes most of the dust or fume from the air passing through the device.
Scope: This standard provides the requirements for protection against noise exposures.
Special Requirements: Controls, hearing conservation program, monitoring program, audiometric testing program, training program, notifications, strategies, results, testing, certified, audiograms, monitoring, competence, qualified persons (i.e., audiologist), information, records, procedures, training, materials, instructions, records, measurements, informed (written), calibration, checks
1910.95(b)(1) - When employees are subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16 - Permissible Noise Exposures, feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of Table G-16, personal protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table.
1910.95(c)(1) - The employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) - hearing conservation program, through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with appendix A - Noise Exposure Computation, and Table G-16a - Permissible Noise Exposures, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment.
1910.95(d)(1) - When information indicates that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer shall develop and implement a monitoring program.
- 1910.95(g)(7)(iii)(A) - A copy of the requirements for hearing conservation as set forth in paragraphs (c) through (n) of this section;
- 1910.95(g)(7)(iii)(B) - The baseline audiogram and most recent audiogram of the employee to be evaluated;
- 1910.95(g)(7)(iii)(C) - Measurements of background sound pressure levels in the audiometric test room as required in appendix D: Audiometric Test Rooms.
- 1910.95(g)(7)(iii)(D) - Records of audiometer calibrations required by paragraph (h)(5) - audiometer calibration, of this section.
- 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(A) - Employees not using hearing protectors shall be fitted with hearing protectors, trained in their use and care, and required to use them.
- 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(B) - Employees already using hearing protectors shall be refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protectors and provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation if necessary.
- 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(D) - The employee is informed of the need for an otological examination if a medical pathology of the ear that is unrelated to the use of hearing protectors is suspected.
- 1910.95(k)(3)(i) - The effects of noise on hearing;
- 1910.95(k)(3)(ii) - The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care; and
- 1910.95(k)(3)(iii) - The purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures.
1910.95(l) - Access to information and training materials.
- 1910.95(l)(1) - The employer shall make available to affected employees or their representatives copies of this standard and shall also post a copy in the workplace.
- 1910.95(l)(2) - The employer shall provide to affected employees any informational materials pertaining to the standard that are supplied to the employer by the Assistant Secretary.
- 1910.95(l)(3) - The employer shall provide, upon request, all materials related to the employer's training and education program pertaining to this standard to the Assistant Secretary and the Director.
1910.95(m)(1) - Exposure measurements. The employer shall maintain an accurate record of all employee exposure measurements required by paragraph (d) - monitoring, of this section.
1910.95(m)(2)(i) - Audiometric tests. The employer shall retain all employee audiometric test records obtained pursuant to paragraph (g) - audiometric testing program, of this section:
1910.95(m)(2)(ii)(F) - The employer shall maintain accurate records of the measurements of the background sound pressure levels in audiometric test rooms.
1910.95(m)(3) - Record retention. The employer shall retain records required in this paragraph (m) - records retention, for at least the following periods.
- 1910.95(m)(3)(i) - Noise exposure measurement records shall be retained for two years.
- 1910.95(m)(3)(ii) - Audiometric test records shall be retained for the duration of the affected employee's employment.
1910.95(m)(4) - Access to records. All records required by this section shall be provided upon request to employees, former employees, representatives designated by the individual employee, and the Assistant Secretary. The provisions of 29 CFR 1910.1020 (a)-(e) and (g)-(i) apply to access to records under this section.
1910.95(m)(5) - Transfer of records. If the employer ceases to do business, the employer shall transfer to the successor employer all records required to be maintained by this section, and the successor employer shall retain them for the remainder of the period prescribed in paragraph (m)(3) - record retention, of this section.
Scope: This standard applies to all radiations originating from radio stations, radar equipment, and other possible sources of electromagnetic radiation such as used for communication, radio navigation, and industrial and scientific purposes. This standard does not apply to the deliberate exposure of patients by, or under the direction of, practitioners of the healing arts.
Special Requirements: Radiation protection guide, warning symbol, warning information, instructions
1910.97(a)(2)(i) - Radiation protection guide. For normal environmental conditions and for incident electromagnetic energy of frequencies from 10 MHz to 100 GHz, the radiation protection guide is 10 mW/cm.2 (milliwatt per square centimeter) as averaged over any possible 0.1-hour period.
1910.97(a)(3)(i) - The warning symbol for radio frequency radiation hazards shall consist of a red isosceles triangle above an inverted black isosceles triangle, separated and outlined by an aluminum color border. The words “Warning—Radio-Frequency Radiation Hazard” shall appear in the upper triangle. See figure G-11.
1910.97(a)(3)(iii) - The inclusion and choice of warning information or precautionary instructions is at the discretion of the user. If such information is included it shall appear in the lower triangle of the warning symbol.
The term electromagnetic radiation is restricted to that portion of the spectrum commonly defined as the radio frequency region, which for the purpose of this specification shall include the microwave frequency region.
Radiation protection guide. Radiation level which should not be exceeded without careful consideration of the reasons for doing so.