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SAFE WORK PRACTICES FOR CONTRACTORS WORKING AT RETAIL PETROLEUM/CONVENIENCE FACILITIES 19 6.4.3 Exposure Limits The following terms are used on MSDS for the manufacturer of the chemical to report the allowable limits of exposure to work- ers. TWA-8= Time weighted average(over 8 hours) STEL = Short term exposure limit(15 min.) PEL = Permissible exposure limit(OSHA legal limit) TLV = Threshold limit value(recommended limit) Exposure limits are often shown in the following units: • mg/m3:Milligrams per cubic meter(used to measure concentrations of dusts,metals,and mists) • PPM:Parts per million(used to measure the concentration of a gas or vapor in a million parts of air) 6.4.4 Acute Versus Chronic Health Effects The terms"acute"and"chronic"are used to describe health effects based on severity or duration. "Acute"effects usually occur rapidly as a result of short-term exposures,and are of short duration."Chronic"effects generally occur as a result of long-term exposure,and are of long duration.Both types of effects can range from minor to fatal. 6.4.5 Route of Chemical Entry Into the Body There are four main ways that chemicals can enter the human body.These are called"routes of exposure"and they may include each or combinations of the following: • Inhalation(breathing) • Ingestion(eating/drinking) • Injection(puncturing the skin) • Absorption(into the bloodstream through the skin) 6.5 HAZARD LABELS Employers shall ensure that labels on containers of hazardous chemicals are not removed or defaced.A container is any barrel, bottle,box,can,drum,or tank that can contain a chemical.This includes stationary and non-stationary containers.All containers shall be labeled,except those for"immediate use"where the person who put the chemical in the container is also the one who is going to use it.Labels need to be in English,legible,and prominently displayed. OSHA requires that the following information be included on all labels: • the product name; • warning statement,message or symbol;and • on commercial labels,manufacturers of hazardous materials shall include their name and address.Many manufacturers also include a statement describing safe handling procedures. Below is an example of a warning label from a can of rubber cement thinner: WARNING: MAY PRODUCE DAMAGE TO CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEMS BY SKIN CONTACT R BY INHALING VAPORS.CONTAINS n-HEXANE(CAS 110-543). Avoid inhaling vapors or skin contact.Use only in a well ventilated area.When using,do not eat,drink or smoke. If swallowed, o NOT induce vomiting.CALL PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY. BC Rubber Cement Company ltonia,Ill.