www.osha.

gov

Reducing Worker Exposure to

Perchloroethylene
(PERC) in Dry Cleaning

OSHA 3253-05N 2005

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and
healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role
is to assure the safety and health of America’s
workers by setting and enforcing standards; provid-
ing training, outreach and education; establishing
partnerships; and encouraging continual improve-
ment in workplace safety and health.

This handbook provides a general overview of a

particular topic related to OSHA standards. It does
not alter or determine compliance responsibilities in
OSHA standards or the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970. Because interpretations and en-
forcement policy may change over time, you should
consult current OSHA administrative interpretations
and decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health
Review Commission and the Courts for additional
guidance on OSHA compliance requirements.

This publication is in the public domain and may be

reproduced, fully or partially, without permission.
Source credit is requested but not required.

This information is available to sensory impaired

individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-
1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.
Reducing Worker Exposure to
Perchloroethylene
(PERC) in Dry Cleaning

U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA 3253-05N
2005
Contents

Executive Summary . . . 3

Introduction . . . 4

Health Hazards . . . 4

Perc Exposure . . . 5

Current Regulations and Recommendations . . . 6

Machine Design and Maintenance . . . 7

Ventilation . . . 10

PPE, Work Practices and Training . . . 10

Perc Air Monitoring . . . 12

Assistance . . . 13

Case Studies . . . 14

Appendix A. Recommended Maintenance Schedule for

Dry Cleaning Machines . . . 16

Appendix B. International Chemical Safety Card for

Tetrachloroethylene . . . 18

OSHA Assistance . . . 21

OSHA Regional Offices . . . 26

2
Executive Summary

This document has been prepared by the Occupational Safety

and Health Administration (OSHA) to help dry cleaning establish-
ments reduce employee exposures to perchloroethylene (also
known as perc, tetrachloroethylene, C2Cl4 or Cl2C=CCl2). The dry
cleaning industry has improved the control of perchloroethylene in
recent years, and modern dry cleaning equipment involves much
lower exposures than older style equipment. However, there is still
a need to reduce employee exposure to the chemical to reduce any
possible health effects that could result from long-term exposure to
the chemical.
Many dry cleaning employers have found that equipment
design, preventive maintenance, control of leaks in equipment,
proper ventilation, and good work practices can reduce perc ex-
posure to workers, reduce costs by recovering perc for reuse, help
create a cleaner environment, and help comply with federal and
state environmental regulations.
This booklet is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no
new legal obligations. The document is advisory in nature, informa-
tional in content, and is intended to assist employers in providing a
safe and healthful workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health
Act requires employers to comply with hazard-specific safety and
health standards. In addition, pursuant to Section 5(a)(1), the
General Duty Clause of the Act, employers must provide their em-
ployees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to
cause death or serious physical harm. Employers can be cited for
violating the General Duty Clause if there is a recognized hazard
and they do not take reasonable steps to prevent or abate the
hazard. However, failure to implement these recommendations is
not, in itself, a violation of the General Duty Clause. Citations can
only be based on standards, regulations, and the General Duty
Clause.

3
Introduction

Perchloroethylene (“perc”) has long been recognized as an

effective dry cleaning solvent and today it is by far the most
commonly used solvent in dry cleaning shops. However, as a
volatile organic solvent, perc may pose serious health hazards if
exposure is not properly controlled. Dry cleaning workers who
routinely breathe excessive amounts of the solvent vapor or spill
perc on their skin are at risk of developing health problems.
Special precautions are recommended to avoid health risks from
perc exposure. The purpose of this guidance is to provide practical
and effective ways for dry cleaning operators to reduce worker ex-
posure to perc. The guidance emphasizes reducing perc exposure
through a combination of using modern equipment and preventive
maintenance, control of leaks in dry cleaning equipment, proper
ventilation, and good work practices.

Health Hazards

During dry cleaning, perc primarily enters the body from in-
halation of the vapors, potentially resulting in the following health
hazards:
■ Dizziness, drowsiness, and loss of coordination;
■ Mild loss of memory, visual perception, and reaction time
after several years of exposure; or
■ Redness and blistering of the skin after prolonged dermal
contact.
There is some evidence of an association between perc and
increased risk of certain cancers in dry cleaning workers exposed
for many years. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) has designated perc as a “potential occupational
carcinogen.” The National Toxicology Program has designated it as
“reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” The Inter-
national Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has designated perc
as a “probable human carcinogen.”

4
 The possibility of these health hazards can be minimized by
reducing worker exposures to perc vapor and by avoiding skin
contact with perc.

Perc Exposure

Primary Sources of Perc Exposure

Dry cleaning employees may be exposed to perc while per-
forming both routine tasks and machine maintenance. Activities
that result in elevated exposure include the following:
■ Loading dirty clothes into the machine (when perc-contaminated
air is displaced and forced out of the machine);
■ Removing clothes, especially thick items, before the drying cycle
is finished;
■ For transfer machines, transferring solvent-laden clothes into the
dryer;
■ Cleaning lint and button traps;
■ Raking out the still (distillation unit residue);
■ Changing the solvent filter;
■ Maintenance of water separator; and
■ Handling and storage of hazardous waste.

Machine Fugitive Emissions

Uncontrolled emissions, so-called “fugitive emissions,” from dry
cleaning machines can also expose workers to high levels of perc.
These include:
■ Perc emissions not captured by vapor recovery and thus
released when the loading door is opened or through the vent;
and
■ Perc emissions from leaks in machines, hoses, valves, and ducts.

Secondary Sources of Perc Exposure

Other possible sources of perc exposure not directly associated
with the dry cleaning equipment include:
■ Pressing freshly dry-cleaned clothes;

5
■ Using a perc-based spotting agent; and
■ Using a perc-based waterproofing agent.1

Current Regulations and Recommendations

OSHA has set mandatory permissible exposure limits (PELs) for

perc, presented in Table 1. This table also lists perc exposure limits
recommended by other safety and health organizations.

Table 1. Worker Exposure Limits for

Perchloroethylene (Tetrachloroethylene)

Organization 8-hour time-weighted Other limits

average (TWA)

OSHA Permissible Exposure Ceiling: 200 ppm

(mandatory) Limit (PEL): 100 parts (for 5 mins. in any
per million (ppm) 3-hr. period), with
a maximum peak
of 300 ppm

ACGIH Threshold Limit Value Short-term exposure

(voluntary) (TLV): 25 ppm limit (STEL): 100 ppm
(as a 15-min. TWA)

NIOSH Potential Occupational

Carcinogen; Minimize
workplace exposure
concentrations.

1
Use of perc-based spotting or waterproofing agents is not current practice in the
dry cleaning industry. However, these operations are addressed in this document
for those few dry cleaning establishments that may continue to use these
products.

6
 Other OSHA standards that may apply when workers are
exposed to perc include: Hazard Communication (29 CFR
1910.1200); General requirements for personal protective equip-
ment (29 CFR 1910.132); and Respiratory Protection (29 CFR
1910.134).
In addition to these worker exposure limits, dry cleaning
facilities must comply with EPA regulations controlling the release
of perc into the environment – air, land, and water. EPA has
developed regulations that affect many aspects of dry cleaning
operations, including machine operation and maintenance, building
design and ventilation, work practices, as well as perc storage and
disposal. There are also EPA requirements on air monitoring for
perc release, recordkeeping, and perc use reporting. (For further
information on EPA regulations, see Plain English Guide for Perc
Cleaners, EPA, 2003.)

Machine Design and Maintenance

Dry cleaning technology has evolved substantially over the

decades. The newer machine designs (dry-to-dry, closed looped)
greatly reduce the amount of perc vapor released into the air inside
the shop as well as outdoors, resulting in cost savings since more
perc is recovered for reuse, as well as safer working conditions and
a cleaner environment.
The oldest type of dry cleaning machines – transfer machines –
can expose workers to high amounts of perc, particularly during
transfer of solvent-laden clothing from washer to dryer. Newer
equipment (dry-to-dry machines) reduces worker exposure by
eliminating this transfer step (clothes enter and exit the machine
dry).
The first dry-to-dry equipment, dry-to-dry vented, exhausts
residual solvent vapors either directly outside or first through a
perc vapor recovery system. The present designs, dry-to-dry closed
loop machines, recirculate perc rather than release it outdoors. The

7
latest technology incorporates a secondary vapor recovery system
on the dry-to-dry closed loop machines that most effectively
minimizes perc usage, environmental releases, and worker
exposure to perc. Figure 1, below, illustrates the perc exposure
levels of machine operators associated with the various dry
cleaning machines.

Figure 1. Perc Full-Shift Operator Exposure

by Machine Type
25
Perc Concentration

20
15
(ppm)

10
5
0
Transfer Vented Closed Closed
Looped Looped
w/ 2nd
Controls

Source: NIOSH.

Replacing equipment that wears out with modern equipment

can reduce exposures. Also, routine machine maintenance com-
bined with detection and timely repair of identified leaks can be
extremely effective in controlling airborne levels of perc vapor. (See
the Case Studies starting on page 14.) The EPA estimates that as
much as 25 percent of solvent emissions can be attributed to leaks.
In addition to creating unsafe airborne levels of perc, leaks are
waste-ful and costly. Routine machine maintenance needs to be per-
formed to ensure optimal operation of all components. Appropriate
personal protective equipment (PPE) needs to be worn during
maintenance activities to ensure protection from perc hazards. (See
page 10 for more information on PPE.)
Recommended machine maintenance activities include the
following:
■ Clean lint and button traps regularly to prevent clogging of
condensers and fans.

8
■ Rake out still daily. (Consider installing a pump that allows
residue to be pumped directly to a safety can.)
■ Change all filters as necessary.
■ Desorb carbon adsorber before saturation point.
■ Adjust refrigerated condensers to ensure proper temperature of
drying air.
■ Maintain and repair exhaust fans.
A recommended schedule of maintenance activities is provided
in Appendix A at pages 16 -17.

NEVER PERFORM MAINTENANCE WHILE

DRY CLEANING EQUIPMENT IS OPERATING.

To control perc leaks from dry cleaning equipment:

■ Perform daily checks for leaks in door gaskets, valves,
hoses, pumps, tubing, and piping connections. Look for
liquid pools and droplets on or around equipment.
Unusual solvent odor may indicate a vapor leak (do not
rely only on the sense of smell for detecting leaks).
■ Replace gaskets before they become hard, cracked, or
worn.
■ Use a direct-reading air-monitoring device (see page 13)
to detect vapor leaks in piping, exhaust ductwork, and
associated components.
■ Use perc-resistant seals and fittings recommended by the
manufacturer of the machine.
■ Repair leaks immediately.

9
Ventilation

Adequate ventilation is essential for controlling perc levels

within the dry cleaning shop. General ventilation, provided by
equipment such as overhead fans, is useful for reducing heat and
humidity, and diluting perc levels. Such ventilation can be designed
to move the perc vapors away from workers and customers while
continuously supplying clean, fresh air to the dry cleaning area.
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) captures perc vapor at the source
of the release, removing the vapor before it enters the air inside the
shop. Well-designed LEV may be provided where perc exposure is
highest, for example, at the loading door. Newer dry cleaning
equipment has built-in LEV designed to prevent escape of vapors
during machine loading and unloading. For machines without built-
in LEV, an external ventilation hood outside the machine door can
be installed to control vapors when the door is open. (A study de-
scribing this method of control is summarized in Case Study #5 at
page 16.)
Detailed information regarding desirable configurations for
general ventilation and LEV as well as recommendations on ex-
haust fan placement and capacity can be found in pamphlets by the
International Fabricare Institute (IFI) (1989)2 and NIOSH (1998)3.

PPE, Work Practices and Training

Personal protective equipment (PPE) – including aprons, gloves,

goggles, and respirators approved for use with organic chemicals –
is used to help workers avoid perc exposure. Workers must wear
respirators equipped with filters or cartridges specifically designed
for organic vapors when elevated perc exposures are anticipated (29
CFR 1919.134). Tasks where elevated exposure may occur include
2
IFI. 1989. Reducing Vapor Exposure: OSHA compliance. International Fabricare
Institute. Vol. 13, No. 5.
3
NIOSH. 1998. Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial
Drycleaning. NIOSH Hazard Controls. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-154.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hc16.html

10
machine maintenance, filter changes, waterproofing operations, and
loading/unloading machines (depending on the equipment in use).
Workers using transfer machines may also need to wear chemical-
resistant aprons. Spotters can wear goggles, chemical-resistant
aprons, and gloves. Spill cleanup workers always need to wear
respirators and gloves.
Work Practices – Good work practices can greatly minimize
worker exposure to perc vapors. For example, peak exposure
levels can be reduced by several hundred parts per million simply
by proper positioning of the worker’s head and body during trans-
fer operations. Other important work practices to reduce perc
exposures are listed below.

Work Practice Tips for Dry Cleaning Operators

■ Do not load the machine past its capacity.
■ Do not open the machine door when the cycle is running.
■ Keep the machine door CLOSED as much as possible.
■ Do not “shortcut” the drying cycle by removing garments
from the machine before the cycle is finished.
■ Keep your head and face turned away from the machine
door and clothes when removing solvent-laden clothes
from the washer.
■ Do not transfer perc to machines by hand or with open
buckets. Use a closed piping system that connects directly
to the machine drum.
■ WAIT until the machine and solvent are cold before
performing maintenance.
■ Use spotting agents sparingly.
■ Use perc-free spotting agents.
■ Clean up perc spills immediately. (The shop should have
in place a plan for safely responding to perc spills.)
■ Store containers of perc and perc wastes in tightly sealed
containers.
■ Position your hand away from the door when opening a
transfer machine.

11
 Training – Dry cleaning employees need training on how to
protect themselves from the hazards of perc (OSHA Hazard
Communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200). Employees should be
trained in proper work practices for all of their expected tasks –
operating and maintaining machines, spotting, waterproofing,
housekeeping, and perc transfer and storage.
Workers must be trained on the health hazards and symptoms
associated with perc exposure. Workers should become familiar
with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and container labels for
perc (OSHA Hazard Communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200).
The International Chemical Safety Card for perc can be found in
Appendix B on pages 18-20 of this publication to help with this
training.
In addition, workers should be familiar with the location and
proper use of eyewash stations as well as procedures for re-
sponding to first aid emergencies, such as eye splashes and skin
contamination. OSHA requires employers to train their employees
about hazards and methods to prevent exposure to chemicals used
in the workplace (OSHA Hazard Communication standard, 29 CFR
1910.1200). Workers must also be trained on the proper use of
respirators (Respiratory Protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.134).

Perc Air Monitoring

A variety of devices and instruments are available to measure

perc levels in the air. Reasons for performing air monitoring
include:
■ To determine the perc exposure levels of individual employees;
■ To identify sources of leaks in equipment; and
■ To measure perc levels before and after modifications to
equipment or procedures.
The type of air monitoring method used depends on the
purpose of the sampling, the technical abilities of the person who
conducts the testing, and the cost of the equipment. To determine

12
the perc exposures of individual workers, a sample can be obtained
by clipping a monitoring device to the worker’s collar either with a
battery-powered pump or a simple monitoring badge.
The samples are then sent to a qualified laboratory to analyze
the perc concentration. The results can be compared with the
OSHA PEL and other recommended exposure limits for perc (listed
in Table 1, on page 6).
For detecting equipment leaks and other emissions, portable,
direct-reading devices provide either a visual/audible indication of a
leak or an instantaneous measurement of the perc vapor concentra-
tion at the source of the emission. These instruments vary in terms
of cost, accuracy, and ease of use.
Two relatively inexpensive, easy to use leak-detection devices
are:
■ Small, hand-held refrigerant leak detectors that indicate a perc
leak by a visual and audible signal; and
■ Colorimetric detector tubes (used with small, hand-operated
pumps) that change color depending on the perc vapor concen-
tration.
More sophisticated types of direct reading devices include infra-
red analyzers and photoionization detectors that provide accurate
measurements of perc concentration, but are more expensive and
require technical expertise to operate.

Assistance

OSHA has a free consultation service for small and medium-

sized businesses with hazardous operations. The service is confi-
dential and offers the expertise of qualified occupational safety and
health professionals to employers who request advice and
assistance. OSHA consultation is available in all 50 States, the
District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana
Islands and the Virgin Islands. Information on OSHA consultation
services can be found at:
www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/consult.html

13
 For assistance with perc monitoring, consult your perc
supplier's product stewardship program or a professional dry
cleaning association, such as the International Fabricare Institute.
If you need the technical expertise of an industrial hygienist, the
American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) offers a listing of
qualified consultants at:
http://www.aiha.org/ConsultantsConsumers/html/consultants
client.asp

Case Studies

Dry cleaning shop owners have numerous options available for

reducing the perc exposures of their employees. The case studies
below describe the effectiveness of measures such as installing
relatively low-cost machine retrofits, installing LEV, and performing
routine machine maintenance and leak detection.

Case Study #1: Emission Control Retrofit – Carbon Adsorber

Installing a new carbon adsorber on a dry cleaning machine

reduced the perc exposures of operators by 92 percent, according
to a NIOSH study. The 60-pound, closed-loop carbon adsorber was
installed to remove residual perc not collected by the existing re-
frigerated condenser on the closed-loop, dry-to-dry machine. The
retrofit cost less than $5,000.
Before the retrofit, the average perc exposure of operators
during the one-minute machine loading and unloading process
was 353 ppm. After the carbon adsorber was installed, the average
exposure was 29 ppm, a reduction of approximately 92 percent.

Case Study #2: Emission Control Retrofit – Refrigerated Condenser

A NIOSH study found that perc exposures of dry cleaning

machine operators were reduced by 60 percent after a refriger-
ated condenser was installed on a dry cleaning machine.

14
 A 5-ton cooling capacity refrigerated condenser was installed on
a vented, dry-to-dry machine in place of its original water-cooled
condenser and single-pass carbon adsorber. The retrofit cost less
than $5,000. Before the installation of the refrigerated condenser,
the average perc exposure of machine operators during the one-
minute machine loading and unloading phase was 1,139 ppm. After
the retrofit, the average exposure was 456 ppm, a reduction of
about 60 percent. NIOSH cautioned that only dry cleaning machines
in good repair with few leaks should be considered for retrofitting.
Although this technology significantly reduced perc exposure in this
case, it does not eliminate it and additional controls would be
needed to achieve further reductions.

Case Study #3: Gasket Leak – Detection and Repair

Repairing a leaking gasket on a dry cleaning machine resulted

in a full-shift perc exposure reduction of 22 ppm, according to a
NIOSH study of retrofit emission controls (described further in Case
Study #2). The gasket at the rear of the machine being retrofitted
with a new refrigerated condenser sprung a leak during the installa-
tion. Before the retrofit, TWA perc concentrations averaged 47 ppm.
Measurements taken after the leak was fixed resulted in an average
perc exposure of 25 ppm.

Case Study #4: Distillation Unit Leak – Detection and Repair

During the LEV evaluation (described in Case Study #5), NIOSH

noted that the full-shift perc exposures of machine operators were
up to four times higher on the day when the distillation unit was
operating (about 20 ppm vs. 5 ppm when the unit was turned off).
These elevated readings led to the identification and repair of a leak
in the distillation system. If perc monitoring had not been con-
ducted, the leak might not have been detected. This study under-
scores the importance of routine perc air monitoring to identify and
repair equipment leaks.

15
Case Study #5: Local Exhaust Ventilation

A NIOSH study showed that installation of a simple, inexpensive

LEV system was effective in reducing average full-shift TWA perc
exposures of machine operators by 37 percent.
Before the LEV installation, the average full-shift perc exposure
was 4.7 ppm. The 12-year-old dry cleaning machine was a dry-to-
dry, closed-loop design with a 50-pound capacity. The LEV system,
including fabrication, installation, and electric wiring, was installed
for $2,560. The LEV was positioned directly above the dry cleaning
machine door and exhausted air from in front of the door only
when the door was opened. The average perc exposure was re-
duced by about 37 percent, to 3.0 ppm, after the LEV installation.

Appendix A
Recommended Maintenance Schedule for
Dry Cleaning Machines

Daily Maintenance Tasks

■ Clean button trap strainer and lint bag.
■ Dispose of contaminated water from the water separator.
■ Desorb the carbon adsorber.
■ Rake out the still of the distillation unit (or weekly as needed).

Weekly Maintenance Tasks*

■ Check door seatings and gaskets of machine cylinder for liquid
and vapor leaks.
■ Check the button trap for lid leaks.
■ Launder the lint bag.
■ Check seals and gaskets of the refrigerated condenser’s diverter
valve, distillation unit, filters, filter housings, and muck cooker
for liquid and vapor leaks.

16
■ Rake out the still of the distillation unit (or daily as needed).
■ Clean the separator tank of the water separator and perform leak
checks.
■ Measure the exhaust temperature of the refrigerated condenser.
■ Measure perc in the exhaust system.
■ Perform leak checks on hose and pipe connections, fittings,
couplings, and valves.

Monthly Maintenance Tasks

■ Check the exhaust damper (vented machines) for liquid and
vapor leaks.
■ Check for lint buildup on the heating and condensing coils and
refrigerated condenser coils.
■ Check for leaks in the ductwork of the lint trap and carbon
adsorber.
■ Check for lint buildup on the temperature probe of the lint trap.
■ Clean the vent of the water separator.

Semi-Annual Maintenance Tasks

■ Clean the muck cooker’s steam and condensation coils.

Annual Maintenance Tasks

■ Clean the heating/condensing and refrigerated condenser coils.

Other
■ Clean and change filters according to the manufacturer’s
schedule.

*Note: The EPA requires weekly leak detection and repair for large dry cleaners and
bimonthly leak detection and repair for small dry cleaners. The type of machine (dry-
to-dry or transfer) and the amount of perc purchased each year determines whether
a dry cleaner is large or small. Refer to the Plain English Guide for Perc Cleaners for
details (http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/dfe/pubs/garment/perc/).

17
Appendix B
International Chemical Safety Card
for Tetrachloroethylene

The following International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC) for

tetrachloroethylene was published in 2000. The ICSCs project is an
undertaking of the International Programme on Chemical Safety
(IPCS). The project is being developed in cooperation between the
IPCS and the Commission of the European Communities. The IPCS
is a joint activity of three cooperating international organizations:
the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the
International Labour Office (ILO) and the World Health Organization
(WHO). The main objective of the IPCS is to carry out and dissem-
inate evaluations of the hazards posed by chemicals to human
health and the environment.
ICSC cards summarize essential health and safety information
on chemicals for their use at the shop floor level by workers and
employers. Cards are available for over 1,300 chemicals, and they
are provided in several languages, including English, Korean,
Spanish, Russian, French, German, Japanese and Chinese.
To access the most recent ICSC card for perc, to locate the perc
card in another language, or to find the card for another chemical,
access the NIOSH Internet site at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/
ipcsneng/neng0076.html.

18
SPILLAGE DISPOSAL

19
20
OSHA Assistance

OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety of programs,

including technical assistance about effective safety and health
programs, state plans, workplace consultations, voluntary pro-
tection programs, strategic partnerships, training and education,
and more. An overall commitment to workplace safety and health
can add value to your business, to your workplace and to your life.

Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines

Effective management of worker safety and health protection is
a decisive factor in reducing the extent and severity of work-related
injuries and illnesses and their related costs. In fact, an effective
safety and health program forms the basis of good worker pro-
tection and can save time and money (about $4 for every dollar
spent) and increase productivity and reduce worker injuries,
illnesses and related workers’ compensation costs.
To assist employers and employees in developing effective
safety and health programs, OSHA published recommended Safety
and Health Program Management Guidelines (54 Federal Register
(16): 3904-3916, January 26, 1989). These voluntary guidelines
apply to all places of employment covered by OSHA.
The guidelines identify four general elements critical to the
development of a successful safety and health management
program:
■ Management leadership and employee involvement.
■ Work analysis.
■ Hazard prevention and control.
■ Safety and health training.
The guidelines recommend specific actions, under each of
these general elements, to achieve an effective safety and health
program. The Federal Register notice is available online at
www.osha.gov

State Programs
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) en-
courages states to develop and operate their own job safety and

21
health plans. OSHA approves and monitors these plans. Twenty-
four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands currently operate
approved state plans: 23 cover both private and public (state and
local government) employment; 3 states, Connecticut, New Jersey
and New York, cover the public sector only. States and territories
with their own OSHA-approved occupational safety and health
plans must adopt standards identical to, or at least as effective as,
the Federal standards.

Consultation Services
Consultation assistance is available on request to employers
who want help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful
workplace. Largely funded by OSHA, the service is provided at no
cost to the employer. Primarily developed for smaller employers
with more hazardous operations, the consultation service is de-
livered by state governments employing professional safety and
health consultants. Comprehensive assistance includes an appraisal
of all mechanical systems, work practices and occupational safety
and health hazards of the workplace and all aspects of the em-
ployer’s present job safety and health program. In addition, the
service offers assistance to employers in developing and imple-
menting an effective safety and health program. No penalties are
proposed or citations issued for hazards identified by the con-
sultant. OSHA provides consultation assistance to the employer
with the assurance that his or her name and firm and any infor-
mation about the workplace will not be routinely reported to OSHA
enforcement staff.
Under the consultation program, certain exemplary employers
may request participation in OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement
Recognition Program (SHARP). Eligibility for participation in SHARP
includes receiving a comprehensive consultation visit, demonstrat-
ing exemplary achievements in workplace safety and health by
abating all identified hazards and developing an excellent safety
and health program.
Employers accepted into SHARP may receive an exemption
from programmed inspections (not complaint or accident investiga-
tion inspections) for a period of one year. For more information
concerning consultation assistance, see the OSHA website at
www.osha.gov

22
Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)
Voluntary Protection Programs and on-site consultation services,
when coupled with an effective enforcement program, expand
worker protection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act. The
three levels of VPP are Star, Merit, and Demonstration designed to
recognize outstanding achievements by companies that have suc-
cessfully incorporated comprehensive safety and health programs
into their total management system. The VPPs motivate others to
achieve excellent safety and health results in the same outstanding
way as they establish a cooperative relationship between employers,
employees and OSHA.
For additional information on VPP and how to apply, contact the
OSHA regional offices listed at the end of this publication.

Strategic Partnership Program

OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program, the newest member of
OSHA’s cooperative programs, helps encourage, assist and
recognize the efforts of partners to eliminate serious workplace
hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health.
Whereas OSHA’s Consultation Program and VPP entail one-on-one
relationships between OSHA and individual worksites, most
strategic partnerships seek to have a broader impact by building
cooperative relationships with groups of employers and em-
ployees. These partnerships are voluntary, cooperative relation-
ships between OSHA, employers, employee representatives and
others (e.g., trade unions, trade and professional associations,
universities and other government agencies).
For more information on this and other cooperative programs,
contact your nearest OSHA office, or visit OSHA’s website at
www.osha.gov

Alliance Programs
The Alliances Program enables organizations committed to
workplace safety and health to collaborate with OSHA to prevent
injuries and illnesses in the workplace. OSHA and the Alliance
participants work together to reach out to, educate and lead the
nation’s employers and their employees in improving and advanc-
ing workplace safety and health.

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 Groups that can form an Alliance with OSHA include employers,
labor unions, trade or professional groups and educational institu-
tions. In some cases, organizations may be building on existing
relationships with OSHA that were developed through other coop-
erative programs.
There are few formal program requirements for Alliances and
the agreements do not include an enforcement component. How-
ever, OSHA and the participating organizations must define, im-
plement and meet a set of short- and long-term goals that fall into
three categories: training and education; outreach and communica-
tion; and promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and
health.

OSHA Training and Education

OSHA area offices offer a variety of information services, such as
compliance assistance, technical advice, publications, audiovisual
aids and speakers for special engagements. OSHA’s Training
Institute in Arlington Heights, IL, provides basic and advanced
courses in safety and health for Federal and state compliance
officers, state consultants, Federal agency personnel, and private
sector employers, employees and their representatives.
The OSHA Training Institute also has established OSHA Training
Institute Education Centers to address the increased demand for its
courses from the private sector and from other Federal agencies.
These centers are nonprofit colleges, universities and other organi-
zations that have been selected after a competition for participation
in the program.
OSHA also provides funds to nonprofit organizations, through
grants, to conduct workplace training and education in subjects
where OSHA believes there is a lack of workplace training. Grants
are awarded annually. Grant recipients are expected to contribute
20 percent of the total grant cost.
For more information on grants, training and education, contact
the OSHA Training Institute, Office of Training and Education, 2020
South Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, (847)
297-4810 or see “Outreach” on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.
For further information on any OSHA program, contact your nearest
OSHA area or regional office listed at the end of this publication.

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Information Available Electronically
OSHA has a variety of materials and tools available on its
website at www.osha.gov. These include e-Tools such as Expert
Advisors, Electronic Compliance Assistance Tools (e-cats), Technical
Links; regulations, directives and publications; videos and other
information for employers and employees. OSHA’s software pro-
grams and compliance assistance tools walk you through challeng-
ing safety and health issues and common problems to find the best
solutions for your workplace.
A wide variety of OSHA materials, including standards, interpre-
tations, directives, and more, can be purchased on CD-ROM from
the U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents,
phone toll-free (866) 512-1800.

OSHA Publications
OSHA has an extensive publications program. For a listing of
free or sales items, visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov or
contact the OSHA Publications Office, U.S. Department of Labor,
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, N-3101, Washington, DC 20210.
Telephone (202) 693-1888 or fax to (202) 693-2498.

Contacting OSHA
To report an emergency, file a complaint or seek OSHA advice,
assistance or products, call (800) 321-OSHA or contact your nearest
OSHA regional or area office listed at the end of this publication.
The teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889-5627.
You can also file a complaint online and obtain more infor-
mation on OSHA Federal and state programs by visiting OSHA’s
website at www.osha.gov

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OSHA Regional Offices

Region I Region VI
(CT,* ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*) (AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX)
JFK Federal Building, Room E340 525 Griffin Street, Room 602
Boston, MA 02203 Dallas, TX 75202
(617) 565-9860 (214) 767-4731 or 4736 x224

Region II Region VII

(NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*) (IA,* KS, MO, NE)
201 Varick Street, Room 670 City Center Square
New York, NY 10014 1100 Main Street, Suite 800
(212) 337-2378 Kansas City, MO 64105
(816) 426-5861
Region III
(DE, DC, MD,* PA, VA,* WV) Region VIII
The Curtis Center (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*)
170 S. Independence Mall West 1999 Broadway, Suite 1690
Suite 740 West PO Box 46550
Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309 Denver, CO 80202-5716
(215) 861-4900 (720) 264-6550

Region IV Region IX
(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,* SC,* TN*) (American Samoa, AZ,* CA,* HI,* NV,*
61 Forsyth Street, SW Northern Mariana Islands)
Atlanta, GA 30303 71 Stevenson Street, Room 420
(404) 562-2300 San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 975-4310
Region V
(IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI) Region X
230 South Dearborn Street (AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)
Room 3244 1111 Third Avenue, Suite 715
Chicago, IL 60604 Seattle, WA 98101-3212
(312) 353-2220 (206) 553-5930

* These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved job

safety and health programs (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York plans
cover public employees only). States with approved programs must have a
standard that is identical to, or at least as effective as, the Federal standard.
Note: To get contact information for OSHA Area Offices, OSHA-
approved State Plans and OSHA Consultation Projects, please visit us
online at www.osha.gov or call us at 1-800-321-OSHA.