230122 Case against OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits [PELs]

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 11:10 AM - 11:30 AM

Peter Dooley, MS, CIH, CSP , LaborSafe, Dexter, MI
OSHA cannot realistically lower PELs to levels that would be protective of health because there is not enough time, money, or toxicity data to do the job right, even if derived limits like those from EPA, California, or REACH are used. Updating PELs should not be an OSHA priority. In fact, PELs like those in 1910.1000 that are decades out of date, should be revoked because they are a license to overexpose workers. Instead of updating PELs, OSHA should require employers to find and control exposures as part of a Health and Safety Program Standard. Employers should also be required to implement the hierarchy of controls for all chemical exposures as part of a Health and Safety Program Standard.

Learning Areas:
Occupational health and safety
Other professions or practice related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to describe an alternative approach to regulating hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

Keywords: Occupational Exposure, Occupational Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: 35 years of experience as a Certified Industrial Hygienist and workplace safety educator with a Masters Degree in Occupational Health and Safety
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4113.0: Workplace hazardous chemical policy and control