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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8151
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
is soliciting comments on the labor-management agreement in the synthetic
rubber industry recommending improved protection against 1,3-butadiene (BD), a
cancer-causing air contaminant.
OSHA believes the agreement contains provisions that will
greatly improve worker health and therefore should be included in the final
revised BD standard. However, the agency wants to be certain of the meaning and
effect of the provisions.
The agreement in the industry was between the United
Steelworkers of America (USWA), which merged with the United Rubber Workers
(URW), the International Chemical Workers Union (ICWU), and representatives of
the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP).
OSHA also is seeking comments on changes to its proposed
revision of the BD standard. These medical surveillance changes would include
relying on a medical questionnaire instead of some of the proposed yearly
physical examinations. Comment is also requested on the appropriateness of
removing BD-exposed workers from their job for medical reasons.
The agreement recommends reducing the permissible exposure
limit (PEL) for BD by a factor of 1000, from the current 1000 parts per million
(ppm) limit to a new PEL of 1 ppm.
Comments are sought on provisions in the agreement on
definitions, exposure monitoring, the exposure goal program, respirators,
medical surveillance, and communication of BD hazards to employees.
The comments must be postmarked by April 8 and should be
submitted in quadruplicate to the OSHA Docket Office (Docket No. H-041), Room
N2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC
20210. Comments limited to 10 pages or less may also be transmitted by
facsimile to (202) 219-5046, provided the original and four copies are sent
later to the Docket Office.
All materials submitted will be available for inspection
and copying at the Docket Office.
The notice of reopening of the record is in the Friday,
March 8, 1996, Federal Register.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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